The mere mentioning of the Middle East immediately draws to mind visions of golden sand dunes, rows of palm trees, olden day folk lore of Sinbad and camel rides. Yet who can forget the inimitable shopping experience? Whether you want to buy clothes, jewellery, carpets, food or electrical goods the Middle Eastern shopping venues should be able to satiate your needs.

Beautiful oriental carpets, authentic spices, mouth watering chocolates, handicrafts, gold, fresh fruits and vegetables line either side of the pathways. Excited vendors outdo each other to entice the crowds that drift by and it takes a genuine effort on the part of the passersby and tourists to not stop at each colourful stall. This is the mood at Abu Dhabi souks or street bazaars.

People breathe in the humid but fresh air and feel the sultry breeze that ruffles their hair while they marvel at the goods on display. Some just pop in to pick up a few knick knacks while others make well planned purchases. Some procure items to redecorate their homes, others purchase gifts for loved ones and some find that souks are a one stop shop for all their apparel, jewellery and consumer durable needs.

Most people make special trips to purchase their gold jewellery from the ‘gold souks’ as they are less expenseice, of high quality and come in some of the most intricate designs. Delicious camel shaped chocolates made from camel milk, Lebanese sweets and sparkling date juice are some comestibles that shouldn’t be missed by a tourist roaming in a souk.

For proficient bargainers, this is an excellent place to test their skills of negotiation and net as many things as possible spending the least amount of money. Hence, it is not a wonder that Abu Dhabi souks have gained such popularity around the world.

Enjoy the lavishness of Abu Dhabi luxury hotels and be amidst the bustling street bazaars that offer a refreshing shopping experience at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara. Get a feel of the true Mediterranean atmosphere at Abu Dhabi hotels that give you an opportunity to explore the deserts, camel rides and hammams (steam baths or saunas).