Top 10 Popular Perfumes in the UAE to Try in 2026

The UAE fragrance market brings together centuries-old Arabian perfume traditions and a rapidly expanding selection of modern regional fragrances. Oud, musk, amber, and saffron remain important, while gourmand, fruity, floral, and aquatic scents have become increasingly visible across the market. Recent industry research identifies Ajmal, Rasasi, Swiss Arabian, Lattafa, and Afnan among the major perfume companies operating in the UAE.

If you are looking for the most popular perfumes in the UAE, there is no single official nationwide ranking that covers every retailer. Instead, this list brings together fragrances with notable brand presence, current best-seller listings, and established popularity in the regional fragrance market. The selection also covers different scent profiles, from sweet gourmands and fresh aquatics to oud, musk, and warm amber fragrances.

Why Are Arabian Perfumes So Popular in the UAE?

Arabian perfumery is closely associated with ingredients such as oud, musk, amber, saffron, rose, and spices. At the same time, UAE shoppers have access to international designer fragrances and newer regional brands, creating a market where traditional perfume styles sit alongside contemporary compositions. Industry research describes the UAE market as spanning designer fragrances, locally produced Arabic perfumes, concentrated oils, and niche luxury houses.

This variety is reflected in the popular fragrance choices across the UAE. Some fragrances focus on the richness of oud and amber, while others use vanilla, fruit, or aquatic notes to create a lighter and more contemporary profile.

1. Lattafa Khamrah

Lattafa Khamrah was launched in 2022 and is classified by the brand as an aromatic-spicy fragrance for women and men. Its opening combines bergamot, cinnamon, and nutmeg, while the heart brings together dates accord, praline, tuberose, and lily of the valley. Roasted tonka, vanilla, myrrh, benzoin, and amber wood shape the base.

The dates and praline give Khamrah its distinctly sweet gourmand character, while the spices prevent the fragrance from becoming simply sugary. It is particularly suited to people who enjoy warm, dessert-like fragrances and prefer a richer scent for evenings or cooler conditions.

2. Rasasi Hawas For Him

Rasasi Hawas For Him was launched in 2015 and takes a very different approach. Rasasi describes it as an aquatic fragrance built around citrus, fruity, and woody elements. Its listed notes include apple, bergamot, lemon, and cinnamon, followed by orange blossom, plum, and cardamom. The base includes grey amber, musk, patchouli, and driftwood.

That combination gives Hawas a fresher profile than the heavier oud fragrances on this list. It can be a practical choice for daytime use, particularly for shoppers who want an aquatic fragrance with enough fruit and spice to keep it from smelling too simple.

3.Swiss Arabian Shaghaf Oud

Shaghaf Oud demonstrates how modern Gulf perfumery can combine traditional oud with sweeter notes. Swiss Arabian lists saffron and oud in the opening, followed by rose and praline, with oud and vanilla forming the base. The fragrance is unisex and is currently marked as a best seller on Swiss Arabian’s UAE website.

The result is a rich oud fragrance with a noticeable gourmand edge. The praline and vanilla soften the darker character of oud, making it relevant for people who want to explore Arabic perfumery without choosing an entirely dry or smoky composition.

4. Lattafa Yara

Lattafa Yara offers a softer alternative to the oud-heavy fragrances in the selection. Launched in 2020, it is classified by Lattafa as an amber-vanilla fragrance for women. Tangerine, heliotrope, and orchid open the composition, followed by tropical and gourmand notes. Vanilla, musk, and sandalwood form the base.

Its creamy, sweet character makes it a natural option for people who prefer floral and gourmand fragrances. Compared with the darker fragrances on this list, Yara has a softer profile that can work well for everyday wear.

5. Arabian Oud Kalemat

Kalemat highlights the warmer side of Middle Eastern perfumery. Arabian Oud describes the fragrance as an amber and woody composition built around saffron and cinnamon, with oriental vanilla and sandalwood at the base. The UAE website currently lists the 100ml version at AED 202, reduced from AED 405 at the time of checking; promotional prices can change.

Rather than making out the dominant feature, Kalemat uses spice, vanilla, and sandalwood to create a warm and rounded fragrance. It can therefore suit someone who wants an Arabic-style scent but prefers sweetness and smooth woods over a strongly smoky oud profile.

6. Swiss Arabian Casablanca

Casablanca moves into a fruity and amber direction. Swiss Arabian lists apple and grapes at the top, followed by white woods, patchouli and iris. The base combines caramel, amber, Peru balsam, musk and suede. The brand describes Casablanca as a unisex fragrance and currently lists it among its UAE best sellers.

The progression is what gives Casablanca its character. The juicy fruit opening gradually gives way to a warmer combination of woods, caramel, amber and suede. It is a useful option for someone who enjoys sweet fragrances but wants more depth than a straightforward fruity perfume.

7. Ajmal Musk Rose

Ajmal Musk Rose is different from most fragrances on this list because it is a perfume oil rather than a conventional Eau de Parfum. Ajmal describes it as an alcohol-free, unisex perfume oil combining fresh rose with a musky base. The UAE store currently offers it in 12gm, 24gm, and 60gm sizes.

Perfume oils are applied in smaller amounts than sprays, usually to pulse points such as the wrists, behind the ears, neck, or inner elbows. Ajmal currently states that Musk Rose can last for up to 12 hours, although actual wear time can vary from person to person.

8. Afnan 9 PM

Afnan 9 PM is an Eau de Parfum with a sweet, spicy, and fruity profile. The official product page lists bergamot, lavandin, cinnamon, and apple as the top notes, followed by muguet and orange blossom. Patchouli, amber, vanilla, and tonka bean form the base.

The combination of fruit, spice, and vanilla gives the fragrance a distinctly evening-oriented character. It is especially relevant for people looking for a sweeter scent for dinners, social events, or nighttime wear.

9. Haramain Amber Oud Gold Edition

Haramain Amber Oud Gold Edition is a unisex Eau de Parfum available in a 120ml bottle. The UAE product page lists bergamot and green notes at the top, followed by melon, pineapple, gourmand notes, and amber. Woody notes, vanilla, and musk make up the base.

The fragrance combines fruitiness with a warmer dry-down, giving it a fuller profile than a straightforward fresh perfume. Its gold-toned presentation also makes it a popular format for fragrance gifting, although scent preference should remain the main consideration when choosing a bottle.

10. Lattafa Oud Mood

Lattafa Oud Mood returns to a more traditional oriental fragrance profile. The brand lists nutmeg, cinnamon and saffron bark in the opening, followed by sandalwood, oud wood and leather. Vanilla and amber complete the base. Lattafa describes it as a warm oriental fragrance with floral, woody, and spicy notes.

The combination gives Oud Mood a deeper and spicier character than the fresh or fruity choices above. It is worth considering for someone specifically interested in oud, woods, and warm amber-style fragrances.

Conclusion

The popular perfume selection in the UAE reflects the range available to fragrance shoppers in the country, rather than a single style dominating the market. Traditional oud and perfume oils continue to sit alongside fruity, aquatic, floral, vanilla, and gourmand compositions.

Instead of choosing a fragrance solely because it is popular, consider when you plan to wear it and which notes you naturally enjoy. That simple approach can help you distinguish between a fresh daytime scent, a sweet evening fragrance, and a deeper oud-based composition.