One of the greatest attractions of Dubai is shopping. The city’s tax-free status means bargains galore. A choice of modern air-conditioned malls offer attractive prices on the widest possible range of international brand names in electronics, hi-fi, cameras, watches, textiles, perfumes, cosmetics and much more.Because this is a giddy, intoxicating experience: the world’s most modern and fastest-growing city – the seat of one of the seven United Arab Emirates – changes by the minute, free from the restrictions of an ancient history (it began life as a trading post with a prominent market).
The ancient “souks” or markets offer a romantic setting for the purchase of spices, antiques, rugs, and silverware.
The city is also one of the world’s great gold trading centres and streets of shops sell a dazzling array of modern machine-crafted and exquisite hand-made ornaments to suit every taste.
Dubai’s award-winning duty free complex situated inside the arrivals and departure lounge of Dubai International Airport offers more bargains and more variety.
Dubai city and the surrounding desert also offer photographic opportunities galore - elegant mosques, sumptuous palaces, majestic camels, ancient windtowers, dusty villages and dramatic sunsets.The choice for the shopper is unlimited and those living in Dubai or holidaying in the emirate cannot help but spend their free time browsing around and looking at everything from luxury cars and designer labels to gold, spices, perfumes and Arabian souvenirs such as copper coffeepots, rugs and carpets.If you’re going to live in Dubai you may as well leave all your worldly goods behind and start again when
you get to the emirate! Prices in Dubai are so attractive because everything is sold tax free and because Dubai is such a significant port that it imports great volumes and does so with low import duty.