Abu Dhabi is well known around the globe for the versatile shopping experience it offers. You can find international brands offering the latest trends; one can argue that this is today found in almost all cities of the world. But another speciality of Abu Dhabi is its thriving vintage shopping scene. Abu Dhabi’s flea markets have gained growing popularity not only from tourists but also locals who have developed a taste for knick-knacks and vintage.

While Abu Dhabi’s many malls offer the more luxurious shopping experience, if you are on the lookout for vintage, it requires a little bit of hunting. You can visit the many bazaars and night markets, but you also have to develop the patience for sorting through items. One something has caught your eye be ready to bargain. Knowing a little bit of history will be an added advantage so that you can differentiate between authentic vintage and counterfeit. This knowledge also comes with experience so don’t be too disheartened.
The locations of these flea markets keep changing every month so you have to speak to a local or someone from your hotel to find out the best vintage shopping spots. Online vintage shopping is also becoming very popular but you lose out on the advantage of examining the item before making the purchase.
Most vintage shoppers would also agree that the whole charm about this experience is that you shift through items, not going there with the purpose of buying a particular item but with an open mind. You spot something that you fall in love with, you buy it because at that point you magically realise that you were looking for something like that or you come up with a reason for why you need it.

If you are one of those with a penchant for vintage then you will definitely love Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara. One of the foremost luxury hotels Abu Dhabi , it is located in one of the largest sand deserts of our world. Like most Abu Dhabi hotels it offers a wide choice of villas and rooms.

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry. Google+