11 of 12 places fit
Sharjah's fish, meat and produce market, where the day's catch is auctioned from about 6am.
One of the oldest souks in the country, covered and air-conditioned, with copper coffee pots, pearl chests, oud and a halwa shop.
Over 600 shops on two floors, with carpets, kilims and handwoven textiles upstairs and Bedouin silver and gold along the lagoon side.
Buy fish straight off the boats, about 70% from UAE waters, have it cleaned on the spot and grilled in the same building.
A restored 1930s souq on the road between the Qattara and Jimi oases, where local families sell crafts in a 35-metre covered corridor.
A souq in Mubdia Village run by Emirati women, selling incense, spices, henna, oud and dallah coffee pots.
Rows of small shops stacked with cartons of khalas, saqai, medjool and ajwa, with sellers handing out tasting dates and coffee.
Over a hundred Afghan-run shops selling rugs, kilims and floor cushions at prices well below the malls.
A modern souk on the canal facing the Grand Mosque, with waterside terraces for dinner after browsing.
Foster + Partners' modern take on a souk sits on the site of the old Central Market, with carved timber lanes and oud and spice stalls.
104 fresh-fish stalls under one roof, with cleaning stations and restaurants that will cook what you just bought.