Signature Walking Tour featuring Old Dubai, Textile, Gold & Spice Souks with a Private Abra Boat Ride
This two-hour walking tour is the perfect introduction to the history and culture of the UAE.
With a resident local insider, navigate Old Dubai by-lanes on a unique, curated, off-beat track. Our experience is a creative journey through a new city, including narratives from immigrants, artists, and architects. We share with you untold stories, unwritten history, and undiscovered folklore. Walk through Dubai's hidden gems and alleyways, art galleries and cafes, interact with locals, and let Dubai appeal to all of your senses. Leave with an appreciation of how a fishing village transformed into a global brand in one generation and debunked myths about the Middle East.
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Starting in the historic Al Fahidi neighborhood, we will weave in and out of traditional homes, cross Dubai Creek on a wooden Abra boat, and visit the Textile, Spice, and Gold Souks (markets). Most of all, we will understand how a city with a merely 15% local Emirati population thrives with immigrants from over 120 countries.
Specifically, the sights we will visit are:
- The historical neighborhood of Al Fahidi District
- Coffee houses and restored homes with wind-towers
- Textile, Spice, and Gold Souks
- Traditional Abra Ride (wooden boat) across the creek
Tour Information for Old Dubai Heritage and Souks Walking Tour
- When: Offered throughout the week - please click on Book Now to see the calendar.
- 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 Dubai Creek outside the Al Fahidi District. Guests can quickly get here by Metro or by taxi.
After walking through Al Fahidi Courtyard Houses, we walk by 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 see Sheikh Saeed's House and Heritage Village and enjoy a traditional boat ride to Deira. Here, we learn about the historic trading activities in the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk. The tour ends at the Gold Souk, where guests can enjoy a traditional Emirati meal.
The Al Ras Metro is close by and provides connectivity to the rest of the city.
The Tour
Built in the 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 was further protected from attack by ancient forts and watchtowers. Traditional Emirati architecture is characteristic of these restored and preserved houses.
These have now been restored 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.
The larger Old Dubai area hosts traditional architecture, multiple museums, gorgeous street art, and ancient fortifications. Our Old Dubai Tour delves into the city’s heritage and explores early life 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 high-quality gold jewelry at fair prices.
The jewelry styles range from modern Western designs to traditional Eastern sets. You can find pearls and precious stones, and the helpful shopkeepers can help you choose something from their vast selection 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 various wares. Whether you are looking for a souvenir knickknack or a diamond necklace, you can find something to suit you here.
Our world-famous guides will explain the history and significance of the souqs and the role they played in Dubai's growth. Furthermore, during our walking tour, we will also tell you all about Dubai’s history as a trading hub.
We’ll guide you through the various goods, from agarwood to zaatar and mouth-watering Shawarmas.
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.
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.