Dubai Attraction | Souk Madinat Jumeirah, the most beautiful and mysterious souk in Dubai, a must-visit for aesthetic seekers!
Elegantly situated in the hidden part of the busy city, right next to Dubai’s 7-stars hotel Burj Al Arab and nearby The Palace Of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Souk Madinat Jumeirah is the most stunning souk in Dubai where you can admire the Arabian architecture, enjoy dining at quality restaurants with a panoramic view of luxury hotel Burj Al Arab and explore a wide array of unique Arabic-style souvenirs. This article will take you on a journey to discover the mystical charm of Souk Madinat Jumeirah, provide you with some photography inspiration, and recommend transportation, restaurants and hotels.
- More information about traveling in Dubai and the UAE:
- 10 things to check for finding the best red dunes desert safari tour in Dubai
- Everything you need to know before visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi
- Don't do in Dubai: 10 things to avoid to steer clear of legal trouble when traveling to UAE
- 5 best free beaches in Dubai, UAE for your perfect winter vacation
- 8 amazing and aesthetic beach bars & restaurants in Dubai UAE that serves alcohol
- Dubai souvenirs guide: 10 + cultural things to buy in Dubai (where & which brands to buy)
List of Contents
Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Compared to other souks (markets) in Dubai, Souk Madinat Jumeirah has a more luxurious and mysterious Arabian atmosphere which amazed me immediately when I arrived. Even the entrance made me feel like I was at the gate of an ancient palace, I didn’t feel like I was heading to a market at all.
Upon entering, you’ll find an indoor market with exquisite Arabian-style ambience, offering a wide range of Middle Eastern, Arab, and desert-themed souvenirs. Includes mosaic lamps, colourful bowls, Arabic clothing, shoes, carpets, camel related items, and various other types of gifts.
However, in my opinion, the best and must visit part of Souk Madinat Jumeirah is not the indoor market, but the exceptional outdoor views that await you after passing through the market, as well as the diverse range of international restaurants.
When I opened the door that leads to the outdoor areas and saw the view of Burj Al Arab perfectly blending in with the old-style Arabian architecture, the clean and beautiful canal, the magnificent Jumeirah Hotel, stars in the dark night, and palm trees, I instantly fell in love with the scene. The view was a seamless fusion of the old and the new, the ancient and the modern, without any sense of contradiction. The awe-inspiring beauty made me adore this place so much!
Whether you come here to take a walk, enjoy the dining experiences, or have a coffee, Souk Madinat Jumeirah can give you a feeling of having a holiday in a hidden, exclusive Arabic world, which is very unique. I’m so glad my European friend Luigi, who has been living in Dubai for many years, introduced me to this special souk, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have discovered this place. If you’re reading this, I highly recommend you visit this enchanting market!
If you like digital arts, there is also an artistic place called the Theatre of Digital Art (TODA), where artworks by world-renowned artists are transformed into digital art and projected throughout the art space. They have exhibitions featuring works by artists such as Banksy and Rumi and more! You can check their official website for the current exhibitions.
Hotels Near Souk Madinat Jumeirah Dubai
The closest hotels to Souk Madinat Jumeirah are the five-star Jumeirah Al Qasr, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, Jumeirah Al Naseem, Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf and the seven-star Burj Al Arab! Which are all with fine decoration, and with canal and beach views, making them perfect for those seeking a luxurious Arabian ambiance and a memorable vacation experience!
Other than the above options, below are more areas that I recommend for finding hotels. They are all convenient for transportation, shopping, and close to major attractions while providing good views (mostly ocean views). You can easily click on each name of the areas to explore hotel options and room availability.
- Palm Jumeirah: a palm shaped artificial island on the Persian Gulf with many luxury, international 5-stars hotels, aesthetic beach bars, restaurants and is an awesome and high end place for the beach holiday.
- Jumeirah Beach Residence: situated right on the beach area, offering a stunning view of Ain Dubai (the biggest ferris wheel in the world) and the magical Bluewaters Island. There are a great number of restaurants, cafes, shops, and bars for you to enjoy!
- Dubai Marina: is a nice canal city where you can find many restaurants along the canal and with a stunning skyline view. It is close to the popular JBR beach, Bluewaters Island, Ain Dubai (biggest ferris wheel in the world), as well as Dubai Mall, Pier 7 (where you get to find 7 decent restaurants that provide alcohol). So yes, it is certainly an energetic, convenient place to live or stay when you travel to Dubai. I stayed in InterContinental Dubai Marina when I lived in this area, and enjoyed it. You can check my review about it.
- Downtown Dubai: a vivid trendy area where Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building) and the Dubai Mall are located. If you love the vivid city life and seeing amazing skyscrapers from your hotels, you will love this area.
Restaurants at Souk Madinat Jumeirah Dubai
Located by the beautiful canal, there are several international restaurants where you can enjoy a magnificent close-range view of the Burj Al Arab. The atmosphere is amazing both during the day and at night, giving you a feeling of dining in a secluded Arabian paradise.
The Meat Co is the one that I found quite impressive. All the food is delicious and presented with great attention to detail. None of the dishes we ordered disappointed us, and the steaks were tender, perfectly done, offering a delightful taste. The highlight is the outdoor seating with an amazing view of Burj Al Arab, canal, and the charming Arabian traditional wind towers. It looks stunning, especially at night, and I loved it. However, during the hotter months, it’s better to sit indoors where there’s air conditioning.
How to get to Souk Madinat Jumeirah Dubai?
If you’re not driving, the most convenient and fastest way to reach the hidden gem, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, is by taking a taxi.
If you feel that it’s too far from your location and the taxi fare would be too costly, you can take the metro to the nearest station, Mashreq Metro Station 1, and then transfer to a taxi from there. Without traffic, the approximate travel time from the metro station to Souk Madinat Jumeirah is around 10 minutes.
You May Also Like
The Essential Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Travel Guide: Exploring Abu Dhabi’s Most Iconic Landmark
Nusa Penida Travel Guide For A Perfect Island Getaway: Top Attractions, Hidden Gems, Tips and Transportations
