
Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 28 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride worth booking?
Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride is a 4-hour experience in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from $35 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 28 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (28)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $35 per person
Explore Old Dubai’s Famous Souks – Shopping, Culture & Traditional Abra Ride Discover the authentic side of Dubai on a guided shopping experience through the city’s historic souks and traditional neighborhoods. Visit the Gold Souk and Spice Souk, where you can explore gold jewelry, aromatic spices, perfumes and local products. Continue to the Textile Souk and Meena Bazaar in the Al Fahidi area, known for fabrics, traditional clothing, souvenirs and local shopping. Enjoy a traditional abra boat ride across Dubai Creek and experience the historic heart of Old Dubai from the water. Your licensed local Dubai tour guide will share the history, culture and traditions of these famous markets while giving you time to explore, shop and experience the local atmosphere.
What you get
About this experience
Explore Old Dubai’s Famous Souks – Shopping, Culture & Traditional Abra Ride Discover the authentic side of Dubai on a guided shopping experience through the city’s historic souks and traditional neighborhoods. Visit the Gold Souk and Spice Souk, where you can explore gold jewelry, aromatic spices, perfumes and local products. Continue to the Textile Souk and Meena Bazaar in the Al Fahidi area, known for fabrics, traditional clothing, souvenirs and local shopping. Enjoy a traditional abra boat ride across Dubai Creek and experience the historic heart of Old Dubai from the water. Your licensed local Dubai tour guide will share the history, culture and traditions of these famous markets while giving you time to explore, shop and experience the local atmosphere.
What's included
Included
- Dubai’s iconic Gold Souq and Spice Souk
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Enjoy a traditional-style Abra boat ride across Dubai Creek,
- Charming Textile Souk and Meena Bazaar in Al Fahidi District
- Pick and Drop from your location
- Professional Tour Guide
Not included
- Any Personal Expenses
What you'll see and do
Dubai
Pickup from your staying location by car with Professional English Tour Guide
Pass by without stopping
Meena Bazaar
Meena Bazaar in Bur Dubai is one of Dubai's oldest and most vibrant shopping districts. It’s located near the Dubai Creek and is especially popular for textiles, jewelry, traditional clothing, and street food.
40 minutes here
Textile Souk
The Textile Souk in Dubai is a vibrant traditional market located in Bur Dubai, just steps away from Meena Bazaar and the Bur Dubai Abra Station. It's one of the best places in the city to buy fabrics, scarves, traditional clothing, and souvenirs.
40 minutes here
Bur Dubai Abra Station
An abra ride in Dubai is one of the most authentic and scenic ways to explore the city’s historical charm, especially around Dubai Creek. Abras are traditional wooden boats that have been used as water taxis for decades.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Dubai Spice Souk
The Spice Souk in Dubai is a sensory-rich traditional market filled with the aromas and colors of exotic spices, herbs, and other culinary treasures. It's located in Deira, on the opposite side of Dubai Creek from the Textile Souk and Meena Bazaar
50 minutes here
Gold Souk
The Dubai Gold Souk is one of the most famous gold markets in the world — a must-visit for tourists and serious buyers alike. Located in Deira, right next to the Spice Souk, it offers an incredible variety of gold jewelry, diamonds, precious stones, and even platinum and silver at competitive, tax-free prices.
50 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- City Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 28 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
6 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
28 verified traveler reviews for Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Nice Shopping
A very enjoyable shopping experience. We visited the Gold and spice souks, with a friendly and knowledgeable guide who made the tour informative and enjoyable. Thank you so much
Response from the operator: Thank you for your lovely review! It was a pleasure guiding you. Hope to see you again in Dubai!
via Tripadvisor
Dubai shopping tour
We had a fantastic time on the Old Dubai Shopping Tour. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely helpful, especially when it came to shopping and bargaining. We loved exploring the Gold Souk and Spice Souk, followed by a traditional Abra ride. Everything was well organized, making it a memorable and enjoyable Dubai experience. Highly recommended!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! It was a pleasure showing you Old Dubai and assisting with your shopping. Hope to welcome you again soon!
via Tripadvisor
Old Dubai Shopping & Sightseeing Tour
The tour was amazingly well organized. We enjoyed the tour and did lot of shopping. The guide was well organized and knowledgeable about the places. He helped us in purchasing and negotiated with shopkeepers. I will give 5 star to this tour and I recommend this tour for the tourists who are planning to visit Dubai.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I’m delighted you enjoyed the tour, shopping, and exploring Old Dubai. It was a pleasure assisting you, and I truly appreciate your recommendation . Hope to welcome you again in Dubai .
via Tripadvisor
Amazing Shopping Tour Experience
We had a wonderful experience on the Old Dubai Shopping Tour. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and very helpful throughout the tour. We enjoyed exploring the Gold Souk and Spice Souk, learning about Dubai’s culture and history, and experiencing the traditional Abra ride. Everything was well organized, and it was a memorable way to discover the charm of Old Dubai. Highly recommended!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was a pleasure having you on the tour. I’m glad you enjoyed Old Dubai, the souks, and the Abra ride. Hope to see you again!
via Tripadvisor
Great Experience with a Friendly Guide!
We had an amazing experience on our Dubai tour! Everything was well organized, enjoyable, and unforgettable. Our tour guide was extremely nice, friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. He made us feel comfortable throughout the entire trip and made sure we had a wonderful time. The whole experience was fantastic, from the beautiful sights to the excellent service. I highly recommend this Dubai tour to anyone visiting Dubai. Thank you for making our trip so special! We truly enjoyed every moment. 🇦🇪✨
Response from the operator: We are so happy you enjoyed your Dubai tour (old dubai shopping tour)! Thank you for your kind words and recommendation.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $35 to $55
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 10
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Dubai.
How much does Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride cost?
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Prices start at $35 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Dubai usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Dubai is not rushed.
Is Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 28 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Dubai, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride?
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Around 10 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Dubai can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Dubai and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Dubai within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Dubai?
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On Outty we rank every Dubai experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Dubai Premium Red Dunes Safari, Camels & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp, Dubai: Red Dunes Safari, Quad, Camel, Dune Bash, BBQ & Shows, Dubai Evening Desert Safari Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner & Live Shows. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Dubai?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Dubai?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride?
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Included: Dubai’s iconic Gold Souq and Spice Souk; Bottled water; In-vehicle air conditioning; Enjoy a traditional-style Abra boat ride across Dubai Creek,; and Charming Textile Souk and Meena Bazaar in Al Fahidi District. Not included: Any Personal Expenses. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 1425 listed pickup locations in and around Dubai. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Dubai. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Old Dubai Shopping Tour: Gold Souk, Spice Souk & Abra Ride?
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Across 28 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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