Al Karama is known for being cheap and cheerful, with something for everyone. It is primarily a residential area, consisting of multi-storey apartment blocks and street level shops. It is very built up, but unusually for Dubai, the layout of the pavements and streets encourages pedestrians.
The heart of Karama is an open air shopping area consisting of two central streets lined with lots of small shops,all with their goods spilling out onto the pavements. This is a great area for buying anything from funky cloths or suitecases to kitsch fluffy camels and Omani silver jewellery and boxes. Many of the goods are cheap imitations of designer labels (usually easy to spot, although some of the fakes aren't too bad). Dubai Municipality has been strict in clamping down on the sale of counterfeit items, but that said, you're still likely to have a guy sidle up to you asking if you want to buy a `Rolex'.
If all this shopping makes you hungry, there are numerous cafes offering shawarma, fruit juices, etc, or try one of the many Indian, Pakistani or Filipino restaurants.
The renovated fish and vegetable markets are also worth a visit for the atmosphere and some good cheap produce. IF you are looking for second hand or inexpensive furniture, a street virtually devoted to furniture can be found near the Fruit and Vegetable Market, parallel to the main shopping drag. More expensive furniture can be found in the upmarket interior design showrooms that tine the busy Za'abeet Road.
A Foot bridge is currently under construction from Karama to the area near Trade Centre Roundabout where plans are underway to build the ambitious Zabeel Technology Theme park. At the park wilt be the Stargate Centre, a space-ship themed educational entertainment centre with a Dhs.12o million price tag that is due to cover 26o,ooo square feet, and aims to be completed in 2oo6.
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