When you think of Dubai you think of Gold. The Gold Souk is one of the oldest and most appealing traditional markets in the emirate. The Gold Souk in Deira, close to Al Ras Metro Station is one of the popular tourist destinations of this emirate. It is open 7 days a week, from Saturday to Thursday.

Even if you do not intent to buy gold or have no interest whatsoever, the glamour and glitter of this place are worth watching. Souk means a traditional market; the Gold Souk consists of 300 retailers offering a huge selection of Jewellery made from gold, silver, diamonds, and precious metals and stones. Prices are listed for 24 karats, 22 karats, 21 karats and 18 karats in dirhams per gram. Remember the higher the karat, the purer the gold. 24 karat gold is a hundred percent pure. Pieces are sold by weight according to that day’s price with an additional charge for workmanship.

Things to keep in mind while shopping at the Gold Souk:

The price of gold fluctuates every day, you are advised to do some research and look up the price online before deciding to buy gold. Know the market price before you venture into buying.
Always haggle, the weight of the Jewellery is non-negotiable but the workmanship is negotiable. Sellers will initially set a high price; you shall gain if you tend to bargain.
Similar items can be found in different shops, so look around before you make up your mind to indulge in buying.
Most of the vendors accept credit cards but you can avail yourself of better discounts if you pay in cash.
The shops in nooks and corners can offer you better prices because of the fewer buyers’ traffic covering that area. Hence shops at narrow alleys can give you better deals.
Almost all the gold sold in the souk is real, a common concern amongst tourists. The government ensures that the standards and the regulations are met to secure that only real gold is being sold. Do make sure that you buy from authorized sellers.

According to estimates, approximately 10 tons of gold is present at any given time in the souk. You must visit the souk and explore unique and exceptional masterpieces of gold spread out throughout the walkway. Gold lined up from aisle to aisle is not something that you will witness every day. A trip to Dubai isn’t complete without a trip to the famous Gold Souk.