Planning a Dubai shopping getaway from the South Africa? Then, you are in the right place. Dubai is that one destination in the world where shopping turns into an adventure that you will totally love. However, you should have a good Dubai Shopping Guide for South African Travelers that will help you explore the best places and grab the top deals.
That is exactly why this guide is curated to help South African holidaymakers extract maximum value from their Dubai shopping holiday. Also, make sure to grab your Dubai visa online from South Africa in advance for a smooth and worry-free visit!
Quick Summary – The guide packages a full Dubai shopping game-plan for the South African travelers: use direct flights, grab an online visa in 24-48 hours, shop VAT-free, and enjoy the 70 percent festival discounts. Also, you can roam the signature malls, outlet villages and centuries-old souks for gold, electronics, dates and textiles while following smart payment and refund hacks that help stretch your shopping budgets wider!
The Only Dubai Shopping Guide for South African Travelers You’ll Ever Need!
Dubai is a shopper’s paradise for the South African travelers, thanks to the exciting deals, a blend of the luxury and tradition coupled with the unbeatable bargains. From the sprawling malls to the bustling souks, every corner of the Dubai invites discovery. But, what does Dubai’s shopping experiences have in store for the South African visitors?
1). Tax-Free Shopping Benefits
- You can easily shop without the VAT. In fact, this helps save 5% instantly on the purchases.
- Also, you can claim VAT refunds at the airport. It may boost your savings by up to 75%!
- Additionally, you can enjoy the exclusive deals during the festival sales.
2). Direct Flights and Minimal Travel Time from South Africa
- South Africa conveniently connects with South Africa with the direct flights from Johannesburg and the Cape Town.
- Also, the average flight duration is just about 8 hours. This makes for an ideal weekend trip or a longer escape to the Dubai from South Africa. All you need to do is fill the Dubai visa application form to get started on your shopping trip to Dubai from the South Africa!
3). Explore the Best Shopping Seasons in the Dubai
You will find some of the biggest shopping deals go live during the Dubai Shopping Festival and the Dubai Summer Surprises:
- Dubai Shopping Festival (Jan-Feb): During this time, you can expect the mega discounts, along with the live shows, raffles and the exciting events
- Dubai Summer Surprises (Jun-Aug): Get ready to snag the hot deals amidst the fantastic summer entertainment.
4). Flexible Payment Methods for South African Travelers
For everyday spending, you may convert South African Rand into Dirhams and use them. However, you can also use the international cards, tap payments and even some mobile wallets as they are widely accepted. This means, you do not have to worry about carrying wads of cash while exploring the Dubai.
Traditional Souks for Authentic Dubai Shopping Experiences
The souks of Dubai feel like stepping into a living museum. While doing so, you will notice the air smells like cardamom and the shopkeepers are quite welcoming. Get ready to go on a immersive journey into the rich culture and vibrant trade legacy of the Dubai through the following souks:
1). Dubai Gold Souk Shopping
- One of the most popular souks of the Dubai, this is where you can find the exquisite gold jewelry. Expect to witness a wide collection which may range from the contemporary designs to the classic Emirati pieces.
- The best time to visit the Gold Souk of Dubai is during the early mornings or the late afternoons. This will help you to avoid the crowds while enjoying cooler temperatures while shopping.
Pro-tip: Bargain boldly and start negotiating at 50-60% of the initial asking price. This way, you can secure the best deals!
2). Spice Souk
- When you visit Dubai from South Africa, then, one souk that you should not miss out on is the spice souk.
- Here, you get to buy some amazing spices like the saffron, cardamom, and the sumac. All these are used to make the authentic Middle Eastern cuisine.
- The prices for the spices vary. So, make sure to compare the stalls before you buy the spices.
Tip: If you are buying saffron, make sure that it has the uniform threads. Also, they must not have any sort of yellow tips. The best saffron usually has a strong aroma and taste!
3). Textile Souk
- Love buying new clothes for yourself or your loved ones? Head over to the Textile Souk of Dubai.
- In the textile souk, you can explore the traditional fabrics like the silk, cotton and the luxurious pashminas.
- Make sure to respect the local cultural norms. Do this by wearing the modest dress and politely bargaining with the vendors. Simply apply for Dubai visa from South Africa today to kickstart your shopping adventures!
4). Perfume Souk
- In the perfume souk of Dubai, you can discover a wide range of the classic oud oils. Additionally, there are the attars and the incense which have deep Arabian roots.
- Also, many of the shops offer the custom fragrance blending so that you can get the personalized scents.
Note: Beware of the tourist traps by exploring different stalls, comparing prices and then buying the products. Also, try to carry cash with you so that you can easily complete purchases.
What are the Best Malls in Dubai for South Africa Tourists?
Most malls in the Dubai are actually destination experiences rather than your typical shopping stops. In fact, these malls usually combine the retail therapy with entertainment. All these help keep the families and travelers from the South Africa occupied for entire days instead of a few hours:
1). The Dubai Mall
Housing over 1200 stores, the Dubai Mall sits next to the Burj Khalifa and the famous Dubai fountains. The mall boasts some of the top luxury brands and the flagship stores. On the other hand, this shopping haven includes attractions like the Dubai Aquarium and an Olympic-sized ice rink. Additionally, the mall offers the easy VAT refund for the international visitors right at the mall which helps maximize your savings. This is why the Dubai Mall often features on most Dubai Shopping Guides for South African Travelers!
2). Mall of the Emirates
This Mall of Emirates in Dubai offers a balance of the mid-range to luxury shopping. This mall is essentially famous for the Ski Dubai, where you can snowboard with your loved ones. Later on, you can head out to shop for the summer dresses that you can wear on outdoor experiences in the Dubai.
3). Ibn Battuta Mall
This mall takes you on a journey through China, India, Persia and Egypt, thanks to the themed zones. If affordable shopping in Dubai is what you want in the Dubai, then you should visit the Ibn Battuta Mall. The distinctive architecture of the place offers a pleasant cultural shopping experience for South African holidaymakers.
Best Things South Africa Tourists Shopping in Dubai Should Get!
1). Gold Jewelry (22-24 karat)
- Head over to the Gold Souk of Dubai to buy the best gold bangles and necklaces which often come stamped with the official hallmarks.
- The higher purity jewellery is often quite cheaper than the ones in South Africa because of the low tax along with the razor-thin making charges.
- However, make sure to check the weight of the gold ornaments, the karat mark and the current gold rate before you buy.
2). Electronics and Gadgets
- Phones, cameras, and the headphones are noticeably cheaper during the festival sales in the Dubai. During this time, you may also get freebies like the power banks or the cases. This will make your Dubai holiday shopping for tourists much more rewarding!
- But make sure to compare prices with the South African online stores. This will help you to know whether you are getting a great deal or not!
3). Dates, Arabic Sweets and Camel Milk Chocolate
Do not miss out on the premium Medjool or the Ajwa dates which come packed in the gift boxes. Then, there are the baklava assortments (sweets) and the quirky camel milk chocolate bars, which you easily pack in the hand luggage.
4). Pashminas, carpets and textiles
- The Dubai souks as well as the smaller malls tend to stock everything from the light viscose scarves to the heavy hand-knotted rugs.
- However, make sure to test the pashminas by touching and feeling their warmth instead of just seeing the labels.
- Also, never be shy to walk away if the vendors drop the price fast. This often signals that the product quality is poor.
Deals & Money-Saving Tips in Dubai for South African Shoppers
1). The VAT Refund Process for Tourists
Spend a minimum of 250 dirhams in one store and then ask for a tax free form at the checkout. You should do this at the stores that display the tax-free logo.
At the airport, present your purchases, passport and the forms before departure. This way, you can claim refunds which result in the additional savings on your purchases!
2). Use Credit Cards for International Shopping
Some credit cards like the Discovery Miles, or the certain FNB or Nebbank travel cards offer the decent forex rates along the fraud protection abroad.
However, make sure to pay in the dirhams rather than the African Rand. This way, you can avoid any sneaky fees due to the dynamic currency conversions.
3). Time Your Dubai Shopping Visit during the Sale Season
South African tourists shopping in Dubai should plan the visit during the shopping events/season like the Dubai Shopping Festival or the Dubai Summer Surprises. During these events, you can expect huge discounts, anywhere between 30-70% across the fashion, homeware and the gadgets.
4). Visit the Outlet Malls of Dubai
Head over to the Dubai Outlet Mall which is on the route to Abu Dhabi or The Outlet Village near the Jebel Ali. These places usually stock the last season’s items from the big brands. The best part – these products come at half price or even less. Such outlet malls are perfect for anyone who wants to get good stuff but at a cheap price!
Conclusion
This Dubai Shopping Guide for South African Travelers throws light on the best souks, top-rated malls, deals and money-saving tips so that you can have a gala time shopping in Dubai.
Excited to visit the Dubai but worried about the hassles of getting a Dubai visa? Concerned that it would take weeks or months to secure your visa to visit the Dubai?
Then, you need to apply through GET DUBAI VISA, a professional visa agency in South Africa offering blazing-fast Dubai visa services. In fact, it takes only 5-10 minutes to fill the application and you will receive your Dubai visa via email in just 24-48 hours!
So, pack your bags, prepare your shopping list, grab the Dubai visa and explore the best that Dubai has to offer!
Key Takeaways:
- The blog reveals how Dubai turns shopping for the South African travelers into a mini-expedition.
- Holidaymakers and shopaholics from the South Africa can expect the VAT-free prices, festival-season markdowns up to 70 percent and the airport refunds that can recoup another chunk of cash.
- It maps out exactly where to score deals, from the gold-laden souks to the outlet malls, plus the flexible payments and the money-saving tips!
FAQs
The gold in Dubai is usually priced on the daily international rates. These often come with the lower making charges when compared to the high-street jewellers anywhere else. So, this can make the 22 or the 24-karat gold pieces attractive and cheaper for the South African travelers.
The first-time Dubai visitors from the South Africa usually visit the Dubai Mall. This is thanks to the mall’s fusion of the luxury brands, aquarium and the fountain shows. Another one is the Mall of Emirates which combines the shopping with unique experiences like the Ski Dubai!
Avoid the shops that pressure you aggressively, refuse to display the prices of the product or heavily push the “limited-time” offers on you. Instead, compare prices from at least 3 stores before you buy the gold, rugs or the electronics.
