Dubai Gold Souk Timings and Visitor Guide: Hours, Metro, Prices and Tips
Quick answer: The Dubai Gold Souk in Deira is usually open from 10 AM to 10 PM, Saturday to Thursday, and from around 4 PM to 10 PM on Fridays. Many shops take a break between about 1 PM and 4 PM, and the nearest metro stop is Gold Souq station on the Green Line.
Gold Price in UAE Today (AED per gram)
| Karat | Purity | Per Gram (AED) | Per Tola (AED) | Per 10g (AED) | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 491.91 | 5,737.54 | 4,919.10 | Investment / Bars |
| 22K | 91.6% | 450.93 | 5,259.56 | 4,509.30 | Jewellery (most popular) |
| 21K | 87.5% | 430.42 | 5,020.33 | 4,304.20 | Traditional Jewellery |
| 20K | 83.3% | 409.91 | 4,781.11 | 4,099.10 | Jewellery |
| 18K | 75.0% | 368.93 | 4,303.13 | 3,689.30 | Designer / Affordable |
GoldRateUAE put together this guide to Dubai Gold Souk timings and everything else you need for a visit, from the metro stop to checking a fair price. The live table above shows today’s gold rate per gram, which every shop in the souk starts from.
The Gold Souk sits in Al Ras, Deira, on the north side of Dubai Creek. It is a covered market of narrow lanes lined with jewellers, and it is one of the best known shopping areas in the city.
What Are the Gold Souk Opening Hours?
Hours are set by each shop, but most follow the same pattern. Timings change during Ramadan and on public holidays, so check before a special trip.
| Day | Typical hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday to Thursday | 10 AM to 10 PM | Many shops close from about 1 PM to 4 PM |
| Friday | About 4 PM to 10 PM | Most shops open after Friday prayers |
| Ramadan | Shorter daytime hours, busy late evenings | Hours vary by shop |
The busiest times are weekday evenings and Friday nights. A late morning visit on a weekday is usually the calmest.
How Do You Get to the Dubai Gold Souk?
The easiest way is the Dubai Metro Green Line. Get off at Gold Souq station, which was called Palm Deira until May 2020, or at Al Ras station, and walk a few minutes into the souk.
From Bur Dubai, you can cross Dubai Creek by abra, the traditional wooden water taxi, to the Deira Old Souk station near the Spice Souk. The walk from there to the Gold Souk takes a few minutes.
Parking in the old lanes of Deira is limited, especially in the evening. If you drive, use a public car park and walk the last part.
How Are Prices Set in the Gold Souk?
Every shop starts from the same daily gold rate per gram, and the board rates in shop windows follow the retail rate published for Dubai jewellers. The difference between shops is the making charge, the fee for the craftsmanship of each piece.
Making charges are often lower in the Gold Souk than in malls, because overheads are lower and shops compete side by side. Bargaining on the making charge is normal here, while the gold rate itself is usually fixed.
Before you visit, check the gold rate in Dubai today and our guide to gold making charges in the UAE.
What Can You Buy in the Gold Souk?
You will find 22K and 21K jewellery in Indian, Arabic and Pakistani styles, 18K designer and diamond pieces, and 24K bars and coins. Many shops also sell silver, platinum and watches.
Investment bars and coins of at least 99% purity carry no VAT, while jewellery carries 5%. Tourists can claim back most of the VAT on jewellery at the airport through the Tax Free scheme.
Tips for Buying Gold in the Souk
1. Check the live rate first, so you know a fair starting point.
2. Ask for the making charge per gram, not just a total price.
3. Look for the hallmark on the piece, such as 916 for 22K.
4. Watch the weighing and check the grams on the invoice.
5. Compare two or three shops before you agree.
6. Ask for a Tax Free tag if you are a tourist.
Gold Souk or Meena Bazaar or a Mall?
The Gold Souk has the widest choice and the most room to bargain. Meena Bazaar in Bur Dubai is popular with Indian and Pakistani families for South Asian designs, and malls offer fixed prices and longer, more comfortable hours.
Our Gold Souk vs Meena Bazaar vs malls guide compares all three in detail.
Selling Gold in the Gold Souk
Many souk shops also buy old gold. They test it, usually with an XRF machine, and pay based on the pure gold content and the day’s rate, minus a small deduction.
Get quotes from two or three shops, watch the test, and ask for the weight, purity and rate in writing. Our guide on how to sell gold in Dubai covers the details.
What Else Is Near the Gold Souk?
The Gold Souk is part of old Deira, so it is easy to combine with other sights. The Spice Souk is a short walk away, and the Deira Old Souk abra station takes you across Dubai Creek to the Al Fahidi area and Al Seef in Bur Dubai.
The lanes around Al Ras are full of small restaurants and tea shops. Plan for a couple of hours if you want to walk the area as well as shop.
Paying in the Souk: Cash, Card and VAT
Most shops accept cards as well as cash, and some offer a small discount for cash, so ask before you pay. Always get a printed invoice, whatever the payment method.
Jewellery carries 5% VAT, while investment bars and coins of at least 99% purity do not. Visitors can ask for a Tax Free tag and reclaim most of the VAT on jewellery at the airport.
Visitors can also read how to buy gold in Dubai as a tourist and our guide on claiming the VAT refund at Dubai airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the Dubai Gold Souk open on Friday?
Most shops open after Friday prayers, usually from around 4 PM, and stay open until about 10 PM. Some shops open earlier, so check with the shop you plan to visit.
Which metro station is closest to the Gold Souk?
Gold Souq station on the Green Line is the closest, and Al Ras station is also within walking distance. Both are a few minutes’ walk from the souk.
Is gold cheaper in the Gold Souk than in malls?
The gold rate is the same everywhere in Dubai, but making charges are often lower in the souk. Bargaining on the making charge can lower the total further.
Is the Gold Souk open on Sunday?
Yes, the Gold Souk is normally open on Sunday with its usual hours. Saturday and Sunday are the UAE weekend, so expect more visitors.
Planning Around Dubai Gold Souk Timings
Plan your visit around Dubai Gold Souk timings: go before 1 PM or after 4 PM on weekdays, and after prayers on Fridays. Check the live rate before you leave, and compare making charges in writing once you arrive.
This page gives general visitor information. Opening hours are set by each shop and can change.
Sources: Gold Souq Dubai Metro station, Dubai Online Gold Souk guide and Federal Tax Authority tourist refund.
