Top Attractions in Abu Dhabi: What to See in the Capital of the UAE

What to bring from Dubai: gifts with the scent of the OrientThe tourist centre of the UAE is not accidentally considered one of the best shopping destinations in the world. Luxurious shopping centres, traditional bazaars, unique goods and high quality products make you think about what to bring from Dubai as a souvenir or as a gift for your loved ones. In a city that combines tradition and modern trends, everyone will find something special.

What to bring back from Dubai: the best ideas for gifts and memories

The capital offers such a wide range of goods that shopping becomes an integral part of any visit. The wide range of local products, jewellery, fragrances and textiles offers plenty of opportunities for those wondering what to buy for themselves and their loved ones.

The capital offers such a wide range of goods that shopping becomes an integral part of any visit. The wide range of local products, jewellery, fragrances and textiles opens up a wealth of possibilities for those who are wondering what to buy for themselves and their loved ones. Proper choice of souvenirs allows you to take home a piece of Arabian flavour, prolong the memories of an amazing trip and delight your relatives with unique gifts of the East.

Dubai chocolate: a sweet souvenir with an accent

Chocolate has long been a symbol of an original gift. Especially popular are sweets flavoured with camel milk, dates and aromatic spices. When planning what to bring as a gift from Dubai, you should include Al Nassma or Mirzam chocolates in your list – they offer premium variants with local flavour. The products are characterised by high quality, original packaging and a unique flavour that will be remembered for a long time.

Gold jewellery: a luxury and an investment

What to buy when shopping in Dubai? Many tourists first of all head to the Gold Market. A huge selection of jewellery, high quality metal and relatively affordable prices make gold an excellent souvenir option and a good bargain. When choosing jewellery, it is worth remembering that bargaining is a common practice at bazaars.

Arabic sweets: a traditional flavour of the East

Arabic sweets: a traditional taste of the EastAuthentic sweets are another idea if you are wondering what to bring back from Dubai. Bakhlava, sesame kozinaks, lukum and chocolate-covered dates are distinguished by their rich flavour and original presentation. The best sweets can be bought both in modern shopping centres and in the city’s traditional markets, where the assortment often exceeds expectations.

Spices: the flavour of the Orient in your luggage

Real oriental spices are easy to find at Spice Souk, one of the oldest and most colourful markets. Here you should buy fresh, high quality saffron, coffee spices, spice blends for meat and fish, as well as rare spices that are hard to find outside the region.

Traders are eager to offer a taste of the goods before buying and are willing to discuss the cost – haggling is the norm. Aromatic spices make a great gift or memory of a trip.

Cosmetics and perfumes from Dubai: souvenirs for the beauty of the East

Cosmetics and perfumes from Dubai: souvenirs for the beauty of the EastWhen planning a shopping trip, it is worth paying attention to natural cosmetics. Oriental oils, camel milk creams, argan oil and body care products are popular with both tourists and locals. It is also worth visiting exclusive perfumery shops, which offer unique fragrances based on oud wood and oriental spices.Bakhours: the scent of home

Bahours are traditional incense based on natural wood resins and oils. They are popular in the homes of Arab families and become an original option if you are wondering what to bring from Dubai as a gift. The smoke of bakhoor is used to aromatise space and create comfort, especially on festive occasions.

Dates: a symbol of hospitality

Dates are not just a food, but a symbol of wealth and hospitality. Elite varieties, filled with nuts and covered with chocolate, make a wonderful gift. When choosing dates, it is worth considering the variety – for example, royal medjools are valued for their special fleshiness and rich flavour. Shopping in the markets allows you to find the best deals on quality and price.

Carpets: art on the floor

A real oriental rug is a work of art. Carpets made of wool, silk or blended materials amaze with the quality of weaving and richness of ornaments. Such products are sold both in modern shopping centres and at specialised bazaars in the city.

Coffee: tradition in every cup

Cardamom coffee is another answer to the question of what to bring back from Dubai for yourself or friends. Its light flavour, tart aroma and special ritualistic preparation turn an ordinary coffee drink into a real ritual. In souvenir shops you can buy both the coffee itself and traditional coffee pots – dallahs.

What you can’t take out of the UAE: important restrictions

When planning your purchases and deciding what to bring from Dubai, you should familiarise yourself in advance with the export prohibitions established by the legislation of the United Arab Emirates. The main restrictions apply to the following categories:

• cultural property – antiques, old carpets, artefacts and works of art without special permission;
• ivory, rare animal skins and items made of prohibited materials;
• jewellery – large quantities of gold without official certification;
• weapons of any type, including souvenir and collector’s items;
• medicines containing controlled substances without appropriate prescriptions.

Studying customs regulations in advance allows you to avoid fines, delays at the border and maintain a positive travelling experience.

What to Bring from Dubai: Findings

Knowing what to bring back from Dubai can help you turn shopping into an exciting adventure and bring home some truly worthwhile items. From luxury gold to fragrant spices and exquisite dates, every purchase carries a piece of the amazing city where antiquity and modernity live in harmony.

Every flight begins not with boarding, but with luggage. The color, brand, and even price no longer matter – dimensions, weight, and contents are important. Airlines set norms, violation of which results in additional expenses for carrying items in the cabin. Therefore, understanding what can be taken in carry-on luggage on the plane helps avoid unexpected charges, delays, and confiscations during inspection.

Size and weight of carry-on luggage: centimeters with millimeter precision

Airlines establish clear limits on size. For example, Aeroflot allows a bag no larger than 55×40×25 cm and weighing up to 10 kg, while Pobeda allows 36×30×27 cm and a maximum of 10 kg only in paid tariffs. Lufthansa – up to 8 kg, Turkish Airlines – up to 8 kg in economy and 16 kg in business (2 places of 8 kg each). The size of carry-on luggage should not exceed the specified limits: even a few extra centimeters become a reason for registering baggage and paying extra.

Passengers often overlook checking the dimensions of their backpack, bag, or suitcase, forgetting that a soft backpack fits within the norms, while a hard case does not. Carry-on luggage on the plane undergoes visual and actual control during check-in, inspection, and boarding. An oversized item is immediately sent to the baggage compartment for an additional fee.

What can be taken in carry-on luggage on the plane: strictly according to the list

Restrictions are based on safety considerations, but some rules are related to tariffs, airline policies, and control conditions. The full list is approved by ICAO and specified by each airline.

In the aircraft cabin, you are allowed to carry:

1. Small electronics: smartphones, laptops, headphones, power banks (up to 20,000 mAh).
2. Personal documents and money: wallets, passports, tickets.
3. Liquids – in containers up to 100 ml each, totaling no more than 1 liter. All bottles – in a transparent resealable bag.
4. Medicines and prescription drugs, including insulin and inhalers. Preferably – with a prescription.
5. Baby items: purees, formulas, bottles, diapers – without weight or quantity restrictions, but within reason.
6. Valuables: jewelry, gadgets, important papers.
7. Food for the flight, if it does not contain liquids or sauces.
8. One umbrella, cane, laptop without a case, or camera.
9. Books, magazines, travel pillows.

This list defines the basis of what can be taken in carry-on luggage on the plane without the risk of confiscation. During check-in and boarding, control service staff may additionally restrict even permitted items based on the situation.

What is not allowed in carry-on luggage: list of prohibitions

Strict rules regulate not only the size of luggage but also its contents. The main goal is to exclude potentially dangerous or unverifiable items.

Prohibited items include:

1. Sharp objects (knives, scissors, manicure sets with blades).
2. Gas cylinders, lighters with fuel, matches.
3. Liquids in containers over 100 ml, even if only a little is left.
4. Alcohol over 70% ABV.
5. Self-defense items, stun guns.
6. Tools, screwdrivers, construction tools.
7. Food products with liquid consistency (honey, jam, pâtés, soups).

Restrictions apply to all destinations without exceptions. Airport control detects prohibited items with high precision – during inspection or boarding. Violating the requirements leads to confiscation of the item without return and, in some cases, administrative responsibility.

Control, check-in, boarding: where and how they check

Control is carried out in three stages: during baggage check-in, during inspection before entering the sterile zone, and directly before boarding. Each step checks the compliance of items with the requirements for carry-on luggage: dimensions, weight, contents.

During check-in, staff weigh and measure the suitcase or bag. If the tariff system allows only one place, any additional backpack is equated to oversized baggage. European airports often have strict guidelines, including size checks in a metal template.

During inspection, inspectors pay attention to liquids in carry-on luggage, the presence of electronics, and suspicious items. Automatic scanners scan the contents, and selective checks involve inspection and testing for explosive substances.

Checked baggage and oversized items: tariff determines the rules

Most airlines link restrictions to the chosen tariff. Budget carriers such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, Pobeda, include only basic carry-on luggage with minimal parameters in the price. Adding a backpack, second bag, or increasing dimensions requires an additional fee.

Passengers who overlook the tariff face immediate payment for oversized baggage at the check-in counter. In some cases, carry-on luggage is sent to the baggage compartment without the possibility of returning items on board. The benefit of a “cheap” ticket disappears if the rules are violated. It is important to carefully study the tariff conditions before purchasing a ticket, especially regarding weight and number of items.

What can be taken in carry-on luggage on the plane: electronics, medicines, and baby items

Different groups of items are subject to specific norms. For example, electronics must be available for inspection: laptops are taken out of the bag, power banks are marked with capacity. Devices are allowed in quantities up to two pieces. Batteries – only in the cabin, not in checked baggage.

Medicines are allowed in any quantity if needed during the flight. It is advisable to accompany packages with a prescription or a doctor’s note. Baby items, including milk formulas, are allowed without restrictions but undergo separate control. In the aircraft cabin, you can carry sterilizers, bottles, diapers, warmers.

Understanding what can be taken in the aircraft cabin eliminates conflicts during inspection and allows you to keep necessary items with you. Practice shows: a bag with medicines, gadgets, and documents should always be at hand.

How to save money: a strategic approach to packing

Violating carry-on luggage requirements leads to financial losses. Exceeding weight – a fine. Second bag – payment. Prohibited items – disposal.

To avoid losses:

1. Check the weight of carry-on luggage on household scales – even a deviation of 300 grams can have an impact.
2. Pack electronics and documents in a separate lightweight bag, considering the airline’s requirements.
3. Move some clothing onto yourself: a jacket with pockets can hold more than allowed in the luggage.
4. Use compression bags and soft backpacks.
5. Study the tariff and pay for an additional space for items in the cabin in advance – online payment is cheaper than at the airport.

This strategy reduces expenses and eliminates force majeure situations during check-in and inspection. A thoughtful approach to packing minimizes the risk of overspending and avoids spontaneous expenses at the airport. Rational distribution of items ensures efficient passage through control and saves time.

What can be taken in carry-on luggage on the plane: conclusions

Baggage allowed for transport in the aircraft cabin becomes a strategic tool if approached consciously when collecting contents. Knowledge of parameters, understanding of limitations, and attention to details allow for smooth passage through control, saving money, and keeping everything necessary with you. The main thing is to clearly define what can be taken in carry-on luggage on the plane, considering requirements, rules, and flight goals.