Budget & Tips
Prices are often excellent compared to those abroad, especially for carpets, textiles and gold. You can pay almost everywhere with your credit card. Is it possible to bargain? In the souks, of course you can and don't be afraid, it is the custom. In the shopping malls, don't hesitate to ask, because sometimes there is some leeway if it is not an international brand. You will find the best deals in the many souks of the old city or in Al Ain and also on the website http://abudhabi.dubizzle.com
Sales
Less spectacular and well attended than in Dubai, Abu Dhabi's sales do take place during two or three periods of the year: the winter sales start in early December and end in late January, the summer sales start in July and last until September. When Ramadan falls outside of these months, it also generates another opportunity for retailers to offer sales that bring together retailers from more than 3,500 outlets in more than twenty shopping centers
A dedicated website provides all the information you need to know about the Abu Dhabi sales with the possibility to download guides to find the best deals: http://retailabudhabi.ae/
Also note that today most retailers offer promotional periods throughout the year and don't forget that here you are in a country where people like to bargain for everything!
What's very local
Looking for gifts to take home? Ornate wood carvings, local art, gold jewelry and rugs reflect the beauty and enchantment of Abu Dhabi's Arab heritage. From the smallest silver pillbox to a large hand-knotted rug, gift options come in all shapes and sizes and can often be purchased in Abu Dhabi at more reasonable prices than in other emirates.
Souvenirs
Historically, Abu Dhabi's desert culture has resulted in possessions that were meant to be practical and portable. Authentic traditional items, such as wooden chests, can be very expensive and increasingly difficult to find, although "antique" copies are widely available. Traditional wooden doors are also popular and can be hung as art or made into furniture, usually as tables with glass tops. Many outlets selling these large items can arrange shipping to your home country. Other locally themed items include the Arabic coffee pot and cups (a symbol of local hospitality), prayer beads in a multitude of colors, and wood carvings in the form of dhows, falconry equipment, and canes (traditionally used in Emirati dance exhibitions). Old-fashioned-looking rifles, muzzle-loading pistols and the functional but decorative "khanjar" (a short, curved dagger in an elaborately forged sheath) are also popular purchases. If you intend to buy them, check with your airline first about shipping procedures. Traditional wedding jewelry made of heavy silver or later gold and made into necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings are coveted forms of historical art and make beautiful displays when mounted in glass box frames. Once more prized than gold, the dried resin of southern Omani incense has been traded for centuries and is often sold with a small wooden box and charcoal burner as incense kits. Ghutra scarves, the distinctive white garment traditionally worn as headdresses by men in the Persian Gulf, have become a popular fashion accessory worldwide. You'll find a wide range of ghutras in Abu Dhabi's souks and shopping malls - apart from the standard white, they come in a multitude of different colors and patterns such as red and white checks, worn during the colder months.
Edible souvenirs
Edible souvenirs include delicious Lebanese sweets (most often made with pastry, honey, peanuts and dates). Iranian caviar is widely available and good value for money, as it is sold without import duties or added taxes. Camel milk chocolate is a luxurious treat with a smooth texture and a unique flavor that comes from mixing camel milk with vanilla, honey and cocoa beans. It is sold in bars, chocolates and as camel figurines, and is available in many souvenir stores, as well as supermarkets. Perhaps the most classic edible souvenir is dates; this distinctive fruit has an important place in Arab heritage as a vital source of nutrition. Today, dates are available in many modern varieties, each with its own color and flavor. They are even available dipped in chocolate or filled with almonds or candied orange peel
Malls and Souks
Going to the mall can be very confusing for Westerners. But here, we go with pleasure especially when the warmer months arrive. Everything is done so that families consider it as a city within a city: Attractions, children's parks, shows, quality restaurants! During the week, Emirati families go there in the afternoon with their friends and even stay for dinner. On weekends, entire families come to spend the day. It is a destination in itself. The souks are not only for tourists, but they are frequented in the evening by locals, not before.
Timetable