Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a free-to-walk, Arabian-style souk on the Jumeirah coast, with shops open 10 AM-11 PM, more than 20 restaurants and cafes, waterways and the Burj Al Arab in view. Prices are mostly fixed, parking is AED 20 an hour and the nearest Metro stop is Mall of the Emirates, though the souk itself recommends a taxi. This guide covers the shops, dinner with the view, the abra rides, getting there and how the souk compares with the old souks of Deira and Bur Dubai.
By SB Excursions · Published 3 November 2026 · Updated 3 November 2026
Tour on this route: Jet Ski to Burj Al Arab in Dubai — From $79 per jet ski, 30 minutes or 1 hour.
What are the opening hours of Souk Madinat Jumeirah?
According to the souk's visitor page, shops open from 10 AM to 11 PM and restaurants from 8 AM to 2 AM. Hours can change on holidays and in Ramadan, so check before you go.
This guide also answers:
- Is Souk Madinat Jumeirah free to enter?
- How do I get to Souk Madinat Jumeirah by Metro?
- Can I take an abra ride at Souk Madinat Jumeirah?
Five things to pair with Souk Madinat Jumeirah
#1
A terrace dinner facing the Burj Al Arab
The souk lists more than 20 restaurants and cafes, open from 8 AM to 2 AM, and says most offer views of the waterways and the Burj Al Arab. Book ahead for a weekend evening and ask for an outdoor table when you reserve, but do not count on a particular view. The hotel itself is a view, not a place you can walk into.
#2
Sunset Beach, for the Burj Al Arab photo
A free public beach on the Jumeirah coast with the Burj Al Arab and the wind towers of Madinat Jumeirah on the horizon. Arrive about 45 minutes before sunset, which is around 5:30 PM in December and 7:10 PM in June, and stay for the blue hour. Our Jumeirah guide ranks the other photo spots.
#3
Mall of the Emirates, the nearest Metro stop
The souk's own page names Mall of the Emirates Metro station as the nearest stop, and the mall holds Ski Dubai and a large range of shops. Use it as the Metro link, then take a taxi for the last stretch. Our Mall of the Emirates guide says how long to allow and what to see.
#4
Souk Al Bahar, Downtown
Another Arabesque-style souk built for restaurants and gifts, facing Burj Lake and the Fountain. Prices are fixed and the view of the fountain is the point. It pairs with a Burj Khalifa visit the way Souk Madinat pairs with the Burj Al Arab, so pick the one near your hotel or your sunset plan.
#5
The Gold Souk and the Deira lanes
The working souks across the Creek are where haggling is part of the visit and prices are lower than in a polished souk. The Gold Souk is a covered arcade of jewellers, and the Spice Souk and perfume shops are close. Our Old Dubai walking tour covers the core with a local guide, from $35.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah: the short answer
Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a covered, Arabian-style shopping and dining souk on the Jumeirah coast, free to walk, with shops open 10 AM-11 PM, restaurants open 8 AM-2 AM and the Burj Al Arab in view from the waterfront terraces. The hours are from the souk's official visitor page. Underground parking is AED 20 an hour, with three hours free for a spend of AED 100 or more at participating outlets.
It is built in the style of an old souk, with wind-tower buildings, carved archways, shaded walkways and waterways, but it is a modern shopping complex. Prices are mostly fixed, the shops are boutiques and bargaining is not the point. Use it for an evening, a dinner with a view and gifts at printed prices, and use the old souks of Deira and Bur Dubai for the working market.
Allow 1-2 hours to walk and shop, and longer with dinner. The honest downsides: prices are higher than in the old souks, it can be busy on weekend evenings, and the Burj Al Arab is a view, not something you can walk into.
Opening hours, parking and entry
This table sums up the practical points from the souk's visitor page and our Jumeirah guide.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Entry | Free to walk; you pay only for what you buy |
| Shops | 10 AM-11 PM |
| Restaurants | 8 AM-2 AM |
| Parking | Underground, AED 20 an hour; three hours free with a spend of AED 100 or more at participating outlets |
| Metro and taxi | Close to Mall of the Emirates Metro station, per the souk; the souk recommends a taxi |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair friendly; wheelchairs are available at the Mall Management offices |
Source: the Souk Madinat Jumeirah visitor page. Hours and prices can change, especially on holidays and in Ramadan, so check before you go.
Shops: what you can buy
The souk's online directory lists more than 50 retail shops, at least ten jewellers and a few antique and souvenir shops. Among the names are an Arabian Oud Perfume Store, Sindbad Antiques, Accessorize, Bath and Body Works, Pierre Cardin and Balmain. The souk's own pages give different totals for the number of shops, 30 in one place and 60 in another, so treat any single count with care.
Everything is sold at printed prices, which makes it an easy place to see a benchmark price before you go to the old souks. The table says how to approach each kind of purchase.
| What | In the souk | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Gifts and antiques | Antique and souvenir shops, including Sindbad Antiques | Fixed prices. Compare with Al Fahidi galleries and the Textile Souk |
| Perfume and oud | An Arabian Oud Perfume Store is listed | A known brand at a printed price. Our perfume guide explains oud and attar |
| Gold and jewellery | At least ten jewellery listings | Compare the all-in price per gram with the Gold Souk |
| Fashion and accessories | International chains and boutiques | Ask at the till whether the shop takes part in the VAT refund |
Our perfume souk and oud guide covers what to check before you buy oud, and the is gold cheaper in Dubai guide shows how to compare a price per gram.
Restaurants and the Burj Al Arab view
The souk says it is home to more than 20 restaurants and cafes, and that most of them offer views of the architecture, the waterways and the Burj Al Arab. Its directory lists, among others, Al Makan, Anar Authentic Persian Cuisine, AMARU Restaurant and Lounge, Belgian Beer Cafe, Hafiz Mustafa 1864 for Turkish desserts, Maria Bonita Taco Shop and Grill, McGettigan's, Mezzanine Bar and Kitchen, Sushiyaki and Taverna Greek Restaurant, with Costa, Starbucks, Amorino and Gelato Divino for coffee and ice cream.
The best light is from late afternoon to dusk, when the hotel is lit and the waterways reflect it. Ask for an outdoor table on the water when you book, and say that you want the Burj Al Arab in view; we cannot promise a particular table. Restaurant hours run from 8 AM to 2 AM according to the souk's visitor page, so a late dinner is possible.
The Burj Al Arab itself is closed for restoration until about October 2027, restaurants and afternoon tea included, so for now you photograph it from outside; our Burj Al Arab visit guide and Jumeirah area guide cover the options and the photo spots.
Abra rides on the waterways
Our Jumeirah guide describes resort abras on the waterways of Madinat Jumeirah as a paid extra, not the AED 1 crossing of Dubai Creek. We could not find a published fare, timetable or booking page for these abra rides on the souk's own pages, so ask at the souk or at the resort on the day.
The Creek abra is a different experience: a working commuter boat with a view of the old city, not a resort ride. Our abra guide gives the fares and the stations.
How to get to Souk Madinat Jumeirah
The souk's visitor page says it is close to Mall of the Emirates Metro station on the Red Line and recommends a taxi. In practice that means Metro to the mall and a short taxi for the rest, or a taxi all the way. Fares below are meter estimates from our Jumeirah guide; see our taxi guide for the rules and the apps. Our Dubai Metro guide covers the Red Line and Nol cards.
| From | Option | Time and cost |
|---|---|---|
| DXB airport | Taxi | 20-30 minutes, about AED 55-75 |
| Downtown / Burj Khalifa | Taxi | About 15-25 minutes, roughly AED 35-50 |
| Dubai Marina / JBR | Taxi | About 15-25 minutes, roughly AED 35-50 |
| Anywhere on the Red Line | Metro to Mall of the Emirates, then a short taxi | AED 3-7.5 for the Metro, plus the taxi |
| By car | Underground parking | AED 20 an hour; three hours free with a spend of AED 100 or more |
Taxi times exclude traffic, and rush hours add time. Check the app for a live price.
Souk Madinat or the old souks?
They are different kinds of day. Souk Madinat is a comfortable evening with fixed prices, and the old souks are working markets with haggling. If you have time for only one, choose by what you want.
| Souk Madinat Jumeirah | Old Dubai souks (Gold, Spice, Textile) | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | A modern complex in the style of an old souk, with shaded walkways and waterways | Working markets on the two banks of Dubai Creek |
| Prices | Mostly fixed | Haggling is expected in the Textile Souk, and gold has a negotiable making charge |
| Entry | Free | Free |
| Hours | Shops 10 AM-11 PM; restaurants 8 AM-2 AM | Shops set their own hours, and many close for a break in the afternoon |
| Best for | Dinner with a Burj Al Arab view and gifts at printed prices | Bargains, spices, gold and the atmosphere |
| Time | 1-2 hours, longer with dinner | 3-4 hours for the loop |
| Getting there | Taxi; Mall of the Emirates is the nearest Metro stop | Green Line Metro and the abra for AED 1-2 |
Our Dubai souks guide compares them all, and our Old Dubai walking tour covers the Creek side with a local guide, from $35 per person, or $55 with street-food tastings.
The December Festive Market
Madinat Jumeirah's website lists a Festive Market from 4 December to 27 December 2026. It runs Monday to Thursday from 3 PM until late and Friday to Sunday from noon until late, with free entry on a first come, first served basis. The site mentions curated stalls and seasonal flavours but does not list what is sold, so check it before you go.
Our weekend markets guide lists the other markets of the season.
The Burj Al Arab from the water: our tours
If you want the hotel from sea level, our jet ski to the Burj Al Arab is from $79 per jet ski for 30 minutes, with an instructor, photos and videos. It meets at Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbour in Jumeirah, with no hotel pickup, and two people can share a jet ski. A full hour continues to Atlantis for $140.
For a calmer ride from the Marina, our Marina speedboat tour takes 90 minutes from $45 per person, with live commentary in English; the 5 PM departure costs $60. We confirm the date, time and payment terms with you on WhatsApp when you book.
FAQ
What are the opening hours of Souk Madinat Jumeirah?
According to the souk's visitor page, shops open from 10 AM to 11 PM and restaurants from 8 AM to 2 AM. Hours can change on holidays and in Ramadan, so check before you go.
Is Souk Madinat Jumeirah free to enter?
Yes, walking through the souk is free and you pay only for what you buy. Underground parking is AED 20 an hour, with three hours free for a spend of AED 100 or more at participating outlets.
How do I get to Souk Madinat Jumeirah by Metro?
Take the Red Line to Mall of the Emirates station, which the souk calls close, and continue by taxi; the souk itself recommends a taxi. From Downtown a taxi takes about 15-25 minutes and costs roughly AED 35-50 by the meter.
Can I take an abra ride at Souk Madinat Jumeirah?
Our Jumeirah guide describes resort abras on the waterways as a paid extra, but the souk's own pages give no fare or timetable, so ask on the day. It is not the AED 1 abra crossing of Dubai Creek.
Can I see the Burj Al Arab from Souk Madinat Jumeirah?
Yes. The souk says most of its restaurants and cafes offer views of the Burj Al Arab, and the waterfront is an evening photo spot. Going inside the hotel needs a booking made in advance with the hotel.
Is Souk Madinat Jumeirah expensive?
Prices are mostly fixed and usually higher than in the old souks of Deira and Bur Dubai, and restaurant prices are those of a resort setting. Browsing is free. For bargains, go to the Gold, Spice and Textile Souks.
Is Souk Madinat Jumeirah wheelchair friendly?
The souk says it is wheelchair friendly, and wheelchairs are available at the Mall Management offices. Ask on arrival for the current arrangements.
How long do I need at Souk Madinat Jumeirah?
Allow 1-2 hours to walk the souk and shop, and longer with dinner. Late afternoon to dusk is the best time for the light and the view.
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Photos: Mall of the Emirates, the nearest Metro stop — Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy, CC BY 2.0, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown — krebsmaus07, CC BY 2.0, The Gold Souk and the Deira lanes — Radosław Botev, CC BY 3.0 pl (Wikimedia Commons).