The Gulf Emirate of Abu Dhabi has in recent years consolidated its position as a noteworthy visitor destination. Amongst its attractions a popular highlight is the amazing shopping opportunities which will entice the traveller. One of the most appealing of these is the traditional marketplaces or souks where business is conducted as it has been for generations. There are separate souks for different goods such as those for gold, carpets, perfumes and fish.
The Mina Port Zayed is one of the Emirate’s popular attractions, as it is a functioning port which never fails to capture the imagination of the visitor. Locals, expatriates and tourists may all be seen at the port, where many of the souks are located. The area is considered noteworthy for its hospitality and the experience of bargaining with vendors, and provides a genuine taste of the Arabian lifestyle.
Each morning traditional Arabian trading vessels, known as dhows, arrive at the fish market, laden with their daily catch. At this popular marketplace you will see innumerable small stalls, each overflowing with the bounty of the seas. All manner of ocean creatures may be seen at the market, including tuna, other kinds of fish, prawns, shrimp, clams, crabs, skates and rare finds like shark and cuttlefish. If you have an idea of a local fish or other sea creature in mind, the chances are good that you will be able to obtain it at this one of a kind marketplace.
Not to be missed is the opportunity to select a fish or other sea creature of your choice and have it cooked at the souk itself. There are numerous stands at the market where you can have your purchases prepared in the manner that you prefer, such as fried, grilled or seared. This is a splendid opportunity to enjoy a lunch of fresh seafood for a much lower price than you would pay for the same item in a restaurant. Visiting the Fish Souk at Mina Zayed will undoubtedly be a memorable experience.
Visitors to the Emirate seeking a hotel in Abu Dhabi should look no further than the Eastern Mangroves, Abu Dhabi. This appealing accommodation Abu Dhabi offers provides quality living spaces and attentive hospitality.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.
