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Old Dubai Tour

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Old Dubai

Our signature best-selling Old Dubai Walking Tour featuring original residential communities, forts, boats, souks and pearls bringing you closer to Dubai's rich past and journey into the future.
Schedule: Daily
Start Time: 10am, 1pm and 4pm
Tour Language: English
Duration: 2 Hours
View Highlights

Old Dubai Highlights

  • Al Fahidi Courtyard Houses in Al Bastakiya
  • Dubai Museum
  • The Ruler’s Court
  • Dubai Old Textile Souk called Mina Bazar
  • Gold Souk
  • Spice Souk
  • Traditional Abra Ride (wooden boat) to ride across the creek
  • Dubai Creek

This two-hour walking tour is the perfect introduction to the history and culture of the UAE.  

You will learn first hand about unique Gulf Arab traditions and you will see the historic buildings and souks that pre-date modern times.  Specifically, you will see:

  • Historical neighborhood Al Fahidi District
  • Coffee Museum and Dubai Museum
  • Textile, Spice, and Gold Souks
  • Traditional Abra Ride (wooden boat) across the creek

Tour Information:

Old Dubai Heritage and Souks Walking Tour

When:   Offered throughout the week - please click on Book Now to see the calendar.

Price:    AED 175 per person for a group tour. Book a private tour for AED 275 per person (use Book Now link below).

Duration:   Approximately 2 hours

Departure Point: Meet outside Arabian Tea House Restaurant in Al Fahidi District, Bur Dubai


Itinerary

Our Old Dubai and Souk Tour begins on the Bur Dubai side of the Dubai Creek outside the Al Fahidi District. Guests can easily get here by Metro or by taxi.

After walking through Al Fahidi Courtyard Houses, we walk by to the Dubai Museum (currently closed for renovation), pass by the Ruler's Court and then experience the famous Hindi Lane. After learning about the Old Textile Souk, Meena Bazaar and the Indian community's influence on Dubai, we get to the Creek Waterfront Abra Taxi Stand.

We look out onto Sheikh Saeed's House and Heritage Village as we enjoy a traditional boat ride to get to Deira. Here we learn about the historic trading activities that go on even till today in the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk. The tour ends at the Gold Souk. From here guests can enjoy a traditional Emirati meal if they choose.

The Al Ras Metro is close by and provides connectivity to the rest of the city.

The Tour

Built in mid-1800s, the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood was once a bustling trading hub for merchants. It was conveniently situated near the banks of the Dubai Creek and furthermore is protected from attack by ancient forts and watchtowers. Traditional Emirati architecture is characteristic in these restored and preserved houses.

These have now been restored to serve as boutique hotels, art studios and cafes. We will walk through these houses, and understand their simplicity in design, functionality and relevance to the seasons.

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The larger Old Dubai area plays host to traditional architecture, multiple museums, gorgeous street art, in addition to ancient fortifications. Our Old Dubai Tour delves into the city’s heritage and explores what early life was like in this desert trading town. It’s a great way to learn about the traditions of Dubai.

Dubai Gold Souq, Spice Souk and Abra Ride

Dubai is particularly famous for its Gold Souk. Most visitors come here out of curiosity and eagerness to purchase some very high quality gold jewelry at very fair prices.

The styles of jewelry offer a range from Western modern designs to traditional eastern sets. You can find pearls and precious stones and furthermore the helpful shopkeepers can help you choose something from their vast choices of ingots to intricate jewelry designs. The elaborate displays of gold are a sight in themselves.

Savory spices, fresh fragrances, glittering gold and silken shawls.

Old Dubai boasts a cluster of traditional marketplaces (souks) with a variety of wares on offer. Whether you a looking for a souvenir knickknack or a diamond necklace, you’re guaranteed to find something to suit you here.

Our world-famous guides will give you the history and significance of the souqs and the role they played in the growth of Dubai. Furthermore, during our walking tour, we tell you all about Dubai’s history as a trading hub as well.

We’ll guide you through the various goods on offer, from agarwood to zaatar and mouth-watering Shawarmas.

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Videos

Video Courtesy: Gulf News Tabloid

In order to get a deeper sense of some of the attractions covered on this tour, you can read our blog on Heritage Attractions of Dubai.

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Not sure which Dubai Tour to take? Shoot us an email on contact@dubaibyfoot.com and let us know of your interests. We’ll be happy to help you find the walking tour of Dubai that is right for you.

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