There are many reasons why travel to the Middle East has become increasingly popular in recent years. Cities like DubaiMarrakech or Abu Dhabi offer travelers exciting insights into innovative advances and, at the same time, deep ties to ancient cultural heritage. One of these historical traditions are souks, the famous open markets where one can find everything from spices to leather goods to jewelry. As impressive and exciting as a visit to the souk is, for first-time visitors the experience can be quite intimidating. But don't worry, with a little preparation and a few insider tips, your next visit to the market is guaranteed to be a success.

Find the right souk
Souks are typically sorted and named according to the goods that can be found there. For example, there is the gold souk for jewelry, the fabric souk, the spice souk, etc. If you inform yourself in advance, it will also be easier to find what you are looking for.

Keep right
An unwritten rule is to walk on the right side and thus avoid being in the way of someone who is going faster. In souks there are also mopeds and people on donkeys, so it is advisable to keep to the right and not wander carelessly in the area.

Pretend
Even if you are visiting a souk for the first time, you should try to behave as if you were a confirmed professional. If you get lost, it's best to ask a merchant for directions to avoid pushy passersby.

Orientation is everything
The lively atmosphere of the souks can be quite overwhelming. In addition, the multitude of visual impressions can sometimes cause you to lose your orientation. It's best to look for architectural features such as columns or other buildings and take photos to remind yourself of the way.

In the right place at the right time
Not every time of the day is the same experience at the souk. Between 3 and 4 pm is usually the quietest and you have a chance to get the best deals. Often, the further you go into the souk, the more willing the merchants are to negotiate, as most visitors often only visit the stores near the entrance or exit.

No fear of negotiating
Price negotiation at the souk has nothing to do with politeness, it is a matter of principle and part of the experience. However, before entering into a negotiation, it is best to look around and get an idea of the prices, as not every merchant sells their goods at the same price. Although negotiation is expected, it is important to remain respectful and friendly in the process. Typically, start at 50 percent of the quoted price and negotiate upward from there.

Attention to the women with henna
Henna tattoos are undoubtedly beautiful and impressive - if you would like to have some and are also ready to wear them for a few weeks. The ladies who offer henna tattoos at the souk are very nimble and already interpret a friendly conversation as interest. So it can happen that they start to apply the heavily pigmented color without clear consent - and also charge considerable prices for it. If you do not want a henna tattoo, it is better to avoid a conversation with the ladies and keep your hands close to your body.

Be respectful
Even as a tourist in Arab countries, it is important to respect the local culture. This includes clothing, which is why you should avoid wearing shorts or sleeveless tops at the souk. Another sign of respect is to learn a few Arabic words. A friendly "Marhaba" (hello) and a nice "Shukran" (thank you) are often enough to show that you value the people and their language.

Caution as a woman
For women who are alone at the souk, it is advisable to wear a ring on the ring finger, even if they are not married. This can be very helpful to avoid unwanted attention and to be able to devote themselves to the hustle and bustle of the market with peace.

Take care of personal belongings
Even though there is a lot to discover, safety first. A souk, as mentioned earlier, is a very lively place, and as such is also extremely popular with pickpockets. Therefore, it is important to always remember to keep personal items close to you. Ideally, for souk visits, choose bags that are close to the body and zippered.

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