Dubai Shopping
Dubai is labelled the “shopping capital of the Middle East”. With so many shopping malls and souks, there’s no better place to find products at unbeatable prices. Cars, haute couture clothing, jewellery, electronics, furnishing, sporting equipment, and any other goods will likely all be under the same roof.
Retail prices are very reasonable because of its open port and low import duties and the variety of products available. Free of tax, many top brand-name products are cheaper in Dubai than in their countries of origin. Products like gold and jewellery, high fashion, electronics, and carpets and handicrafts can be bought for amazing deals that are unmatchable anywhere else in the world.
Even major brand name products, widely available in the city, are often less expensive in Dubai than in their country of origin. The major shopping areas of the city are Al Faheidi Road, Al Rigga Road, Al Karama, Al Satwa’s Al Dhiyafah Road and Beniyas Square. The modern shopping malls, located throughout the city, contrast with the sights, sounds and smells of the traditional souks.
The Dubai Shopping Festival is known throughout the world for not only being an opportunity for fantastic shopping and bargains, but also as one of the world’s most entertaining festivals including grand firework displays, great prizes to be won, and of course the excitement of being in Dubai itself. Last year over million people attended the event. One of the highlights of the festival is the Global Village, with thirty eight pavilions from as many countries all displaying their traditional and modern wares and local cuisine, there is no shortage of things to do.
Normal shopping hours in Dubai are from 9am to 1pm and 4pm until 9pm or later. Some boutiques in the residential areas do not open until 9.30 or 10.00am. Most supermarkets stay open all day, from Saturday to Thursday. All shops close for prayers on Friday from 11.30am to 1.30pm. Shopping malls and most shops are open on Friday evenings until late.
Souks have been called “the heart of urban Arabia”, and Dubai has plenty. These range from the traditional, dusty, alleyways of the spice souk, a stone’s throw from the Creek, to the modern fish souk with the many varieties caught in Gulf waters and the fruit and vegetable souk with its bustle and vivid colours. Dubai’s most famous market of all is the gold souk, In Gold Souks prices are very reasonable and largely determined by weight, rather than design and craftsmanship.
The world’s best brands at the world’s lowest prices
The festival shopping event lasts for one month and its slogan is ‘One Family, One World, One Festival’, but is also called the festival ‘Where the celebrations last a month and the memories, a lifetime’.During DSF, Dubai offers the world’s best brands at the world’s lowest prices. Although Dubai is considered a year-round shoppers’ paradise, during DSF the city becomes the most exciting shopping destination in the world. Dubai has bustling textile and spice souks (traditional markets), the renowned Gold Souks with over 400 jewellery shops, two electronic markets and over 25 world-class shopping malls.
More than two million visitors attend the Dubai Shopping Festival each year,Sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, DSF offers an array of entertainment for the whole family – children’s events, international fashion shows, visiting artists, streetside performances, nightly fireworks, musical shows, film festivals, numerous cultural events reflecting the emirate’s cosmopolitan character and record-busting feats.
Dubai’s beautiful parks will be used for various entertainment activities such as Cable Car rides introduced to coincide with DSF 2000, Dubai Creek Tours, Mini Fun Fair, Space Ship, Remote-control boats, World of Ice, Flower Garden, Park Taxis, Spiderman Zone, Trampoline, helicopter tours, China Town and Acrobatics Show.
Once again, Dubai’s beautiful streets will be turned into colourful venues for a host of DSF activities, exuding the excitement of the unique shopping festival. Street performers, clowns, magicians and fun-fairs will keep visitors entertained throughout the festival.
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