For ease we can simply buy generic gifts from the usual souvenir shops or at the airport. But if you want to bring back unique souvenirs for your loved ones at home, then a more serious searching is necessary.
If you are that kind of serious shoppers, you come to the right place as this list is here for you.
Read on to know more about the 10 best souvenirs to buy in Dubai. The list includes useful information about pricing and where to buy them. These distinctly Dubai souvenirs are perfect reminders of your wonderful time in Middle East’s “City of Gold”.
Image credit: Al Nassma Chocolate LLCCamel milk chocolate is a true home-grown delicacy in Dubai. It is manufactured by just one company, Al Nassma. These products used to be exclusively available in Dubai but has since been exported to Europe and other Asian countries.
Al Nassma camel milk chocolate bars come in five varieties: whole milk, 70% cocoa, dates, macadamia, and spiced (Arabia). There are also camel-shaped chocolates that are perfect as quirky souvenirs.
BEST GIFTS FOR: Children, family, friends, and co-workers
PORTABLE LEVEL: Easy to manage
PRICE RANGE: AED44 – 165 (US$12 – 45)
WHERE TO BUY
Image credit: Bateel InternationalDates are a sweet part of Middle Eastern culture. It plays a prominent role during Ramadan where it is given as gifts and eaten at the end of the fast.
They are source of fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, and magnesium, among others. Dates are believed to have many health benefits like energy boosting.
To buy fresh and gourmet dates, make your way to Bateel shops. They have over 20 varieties of dates and Khidri, Sokari, Madjool and Kholas are just a few favorites. Their almond and hazelnut bars are also among the must-tries.
BEST GIFTS FOR: Anybody
PORTABLE LEVEL: Easy to manage
PRICE RANGE
WHERE TO BUY
Image credit: National Iranian CarpetsPersian rugs and carpets are on the expensive side of the souvenir shopping list. It is considered as an investment but you have to check the quality and authenticity if you decide to buy.
Affordable carpets are available at Dubai souks. For high quality carpets, buy at National Iranian Carpets or Persian Carpet House. If you don’t like the items on display at these places, you can have one specially made for you.
BEST GIFTS FOR: Wife, mother, grandmother, and boss
PORTABLE LEVEL: Hard to manage
PRICE RANGE: AED400 (US$100) and above
WHERE TO BUY
Image credit: sophiejamesIf you notice a distinct aroma while exploring Dubai, you may have smelled a whiff of the traditional oudh or bakhoor.
Oudh is an expensive fragrance oil derived from agarwood resin. This mesmerizing scent gift is available in forms of pure oil, mixed oil of Oudh and other floral oils like rose and jasmine, and oudh fragrance perfume (Ajmal and Ne’emah)
Bakhoor, on the other hand, is the term for agarwood chips that are burned to produce an aroma that permeates an entire room. It is a good alternative to candles and incense.
Bringing home a true Middle Eastern scent is always a brilliant idea.
BEST GIFTS FOR: Wife, mother, grandmother, and female boss
PORTABLE LEVEL: Easy to manage
PRICE RANGE
WHERE TO BUY
Image credit: cascoly2Attar is the term for essential oils derived from plant sources. These alcohol-free perfumes are widely used by both men and women in Dubai.
There are various kinds of attars sold the city. The vendors at the Perfume Souk in Deira can recommend scents for you if you have a hard time choosing. Want to make your own perfume? Just experiment with different mixtures and ask the seller to prepare it for you.
You can also opt for the branded versions in popular perfume shops like Anfasic Dokhoon, Hind Al Oud, Khaltat, and Amouage.
BEST GIFTS FOR: Spouse, parents, close friends, and boss
PORTABLE LEVEL: Manageable
PRICE RANGE: From AED90 (US$5)
WHERE TO BUY
Image credit: Pashmina HouseReal pashmina shawls can be expensive. They are made of cashmere that is produced from the hair of goats in South Asia. The cashmere is often blended with 30% silk to produce a soft and smooth fabric. This makes pashmina shawls a special gift for women who are dearest to you.
To test the authenticity of the shawl, try pulling the whole shawl through a ring. It should pass through easily. Otherwise, you are holding a shawl made of viscose but being passed off as real pashmina.
If you are on a tight budget, you can buy the silk or viscose versions. Just make sure you pay the right price for the right product.
BEST GIFTS FOR: Wife, mother, and female boss
PORTABLE LEVEL: Easy to manage
PRICE RANGE
WHERE TO BUY
Image credit: JoyalukkasGold can be the ultimate souvenir from Dubai. This lasting gift is widely available in Dubai and costs much less than in most big cities. These treasures are perfect gifts for extra special people in your life like your spouse or a parent.
When buying gold in Dubai, you don’t have to look any further than the Dubai Gold Souk. The wide array of gold products at this souk is simply astounding that you might have a hard time choosing.
Don’t forget to haggle for a good bargain!
BEST GIFTS FOR: Spouse, parents, boyfriend or girlfriend
PORTABLE LEVEL: Easy to manage
AVERAGE PRICE: AED110 (US$30) per gram
WHERE TO BUY
Image credit: Michael CoghlanThe term Arabica coffee is a testament to the long tradition of coffee farming in the Middle East. Arabic coffee may not suit the taste of some coffee drinkers but it is highly regarded by those who have come to love it.
To complete the Arabic coffee drinking experience, look for copper Arabic coffee pots that are suitable for daily use. These designed pots, called “dallah”, can be also used for decorative purposes. Go for the cheaper options if it is only meant for display.
BEST GIFTS FOR: Coffee lovers; wife, mother for decorative pots
PORTABLE LEVEL: Manageable
PRICE RANGE
WHERE TO BUY
If you want to bring home the flavors of Dubai with you, then you might be interested in buying some spices from the famous Spice Souk.
The Spice Souk is a treasure trove of popular spices as well as rare spices that cannot be bought in supermarkets or anywhere else in the UAE.
Their strong aromas make your meals flavorful but make your carry-on luggage smell badly. Just pack them well and put inside your check-in luggage. To save you from further hassle during travel, buy only the spices that you cannot find back home and in smaller quantities.
BEST GIFTS FOR: Anybody who loves cooking
PORTABLE LEVEL: Manageable to hard to manage
PRICE RANGE: AED10 – 25 (US$3 – 7) per pack
WHERE TO BUY
Image credit: Stephan GeyerHookah and shisha are often used interchangeably though they differ in their actual meanings. Hookah refers to the pipe itself that is used to smoke shisha. Shisha is the flavored substance that you smoke through a hookah. Shisha is also the term used to refer to the practice of smoking through a hookah.
Shisha is a popular pastime in the Middle East. If you walk past a shisha bar, you might catch a whiff of the luscious scents of strawberry, apple, honey, cinnamon, or mint.
Shisha-smoking is not necessarily healthier than cigarette-smoking. However, this does not mean that you should be discouraged from buying the beautifully-designed pipe as a keepsake or home décor.
BEST GIFTS FOR: Smokers, home owners if given as décor
PORTABLE LEVEL: Manageable
PRICE RANGE: AED50 – 370 (US$13 – 100)
WHERE TO BUY
