For unique Christmas gifts in Dubai, go to the Gold Souk for jewelry, Bateel for luxury dates, Mirzam for chocolate made in Dubai, Alserkal Avenue for art and design, Souk Madinat Jumeirah for crafts and souvenirs, Comptoir 102 for a curated concept store, and Kinokuniya in Dubai Mall for books.
Hundreds of jewelers in Dubai's famous gold market.
The Gold Souk's covered lanes are lined with jewelers selling gold, diamonds and gems, with prices tied to the day's gold rate.
Haggling over the making charge is expected.
Good to know: Use our gold price calculator to check a fair price before you buy.
Gold Souk, Deira, Dubai, UAE
Luxury dates and gift boxes.
Bateel's boutiques sell premium dates, stuffed dates, chocolates and festive gift boxes.
A classic Gulf gift.
Good to know: Buy gift boxes early in December.
The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, UAE
Bean-to-bar chocolate made in Dubai.
Mirzam makes chocolate from single-origin beans in its Alserkal Avenue factory, with flavors inspired by the spice routes.
Beautifully packaged.
Good to know: Watch the chocolate makers through the factory window.
Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, UAE
Galleries, concept stores and design shops in warehouses.
Alserkal Avenue's warehouses house art galleries, design studios and independent shops, perfect for unusual gifts.
Dubai's creative hub.
Good to know: Weekday afternoons are quiet; weekends have events.
17th Street, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, UAE
A traditional-style souk of crafts and souvenirs.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah's winding lanes sell lanterns, textiles, art and souvenirs, with views of Burj Al Arab.
In December, pair it with the Festive Market next door.
Good to know: Visit in the evening when the lanterns are lit.
Madinat Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, UAE
A concept store and café with curated gifts.
Comptoir 102 in a Jumeirah villa sells homeware, jewelry and fashion alongside a healthy café.
Stylish and calm.
Good to know: Stay for lunch in the garden.
102 Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, UAE
A huge bookstore with books in many languages.
Kinokuniya in Dubai Mall is one of the region's biggest bookstores, with English, Arabic and Japanese books, manga and stationery.
Great for book lovers.
Good to know: The manga and art-book sections are excellent.
The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, UAE
Gold jewelry, Bateel dates, Mirzam chocolate, Arabic perfume (oud), and local art and design from Alserkal Avenue.
Yes, at shops in the Planet tax-free scheme, for purchases above a minimum spend; claim at the airport before you fly.
Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates for big brands, the souks of Deira for gold and spices, and Alserkal Avenue for independent design.
Yes. Christmas is not a public holiday in the UAE, so shops keep normal hours.