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Explore the Backstreets of Old Dubai with an Insider
Recommended for your Dubai trip
Free Cancellation
up to 24 hours in advance
4 hours (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
What you can expect during your visit
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
More questions?
(888) 651-9785
Overview
Many visitors miss Dubai’s older side, concentrating on its futuristic architecture and glitz. This half-day walking tour bucks the trend, showcasing the old residential and souk quarters. Browse Deira’s souks, ride a wooden ‘abra’ boat across Dubai Creek, and explore Al Bastakiya’s lanes and wind towered houses while learning about Emirati history and culture. A traditional Arabian lunch and entrance fees included.
- Shop and stroll through Deira’s bustling spice, souvenir and gold souks
- Lunch at a local restaurant and entrance fees included
- Choice of morning or afternoon departure
- Small group of 12 people or fewer
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Choose a morning or afternoon departure, and meet your guide and small group of no more than 12 participants in Dubai’s Deira district.
One of Dubai’s oldest quarters, Deira bustles with activity and is home to the city’s old souks. Saunter through the shop- and stall-lined streets toward the souks, and pause at some of the area’s interesting sights as your guide charts Dubai’s history and roots as a pearl trading town.
Delve into the souks and hear how, until recently, the stalls were known by vendors’ names, so shoppers could simply call them out to find what they were looking for. Enjoy the hustle and bustle, and peruse the outlets selling spices, souvenirs and gold and silver. Hone your haggling with tips from your guide, starting with the opening gambit of ktir ghalee (too expensive) to help clinch some deals.
With your shopping done, ride an abra across Dubai Creek, admiring Deira’s high-rises from the water. Then, disembark and wander through the narrow lanes of the old Al Bastakiya residential area, founded in the early 1900s by Persian merchants.
See the sand-colored houses and wind towers, and learn about the area’s part in keeping traditional Emirati culture and customs alive.
After your walk, head to one of Dubai’s best-loved restaurants for lunch. Refuel with tasty Arabian dishes, and chat over your discoveries before your tour ends in Bur Dubai.
One of Dubai’s oldest quarters, Deira bustles with activity and is home to the city’s old souks. Saunter through the shop- and stall-lined streets toward the souks, and pause at some of the area’s interesting sights as your guide charts Dubai’s history and roots as a pearl trading town.
Delve into the souks and hear how, until recently, the stalls were known by vendors’ names, so shoppers could simply call them out to find what they were looking for. Enjoy the hustle and bustle, and peruse the outlets selling spices, souvenirs and gold and silver. Hone your haggling with tips from your guide, starting with the opening gambit of ktir ghalee (too expensive) to help clinch some deals.
With your shopping done, ride an abra across Dubai Creek, admiring Deira’s high-rises from the water. Then, disembark and wander through the narrow lanes of the old Al Bastakiya residential area, founded in the early 1900s by Persian merchants.
See the sand-colored houses and wind towers, and learn about the area’s part in keeping traditional Emirati culture and customs alive.
After your walk, head to one of Dubai’s best-loved restaurants for lunch. Refuel with tasty Arabian dishes, and chat over your discoveries before your tour ends in Bur Dubai.
Itinerary
Our first stop will be an incredibly enlightening visit to the Women’s Museum, a private museum which focuses on everything from the history of Emirati women’s political equality to education. The guide will share stories and memorabilia from generations of women who have shaped the nation and its culture to what it is today.
Duration: 45 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
We'll walk through Dubai's oldest market, the Gold Souk, a place buzzing with eager shoppers there to explore its 300+ shops and covered walkways. We'll stop to learn about the world's obsession with this shiny yellow metal, especially during festive occasions.
Duration: 20 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
Dubai's Spice Souk is an incredibly aromatic network of shops and eateries that sell everything from saffron to chocolate dipped dates. To navigate the bustling souk, the best way is to learn about the origins of the spices at first from your guide and shop-owners before you cruise your way around the market.
Duration: 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
The wooden abra boats plying the busy Dubai Creek are one of Dubai's most iconic scenes to witness. Guests will enjoy an unforgettable experience on a private abra ride and capture the city from the water as we time-travel from its past to its present.
Duration: 20 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
The Textile Souk is a labyrinth of traditional Arabian souvenir stores with plenty of fabrics, scarves, and I heart Dubai t-shirts. Here, your guide will introduce you to the national dress worn by both men and women, and demonstrate how each garment is worn.
Duration: 20 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
We'll wander through one of Dubai's historic neighborhoods where its merchants once lived in now-restored homes. Your guide will explain the brilliance behind the architecture of these structures, particularly its windtowers, designed to keep inhabitants cool.
Duration: 45 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
Our last stop will be a fantastic meal at a traditional restaurant where we'll break bread together. The guide will pre-order several dishes so that guests can experience the various flavors and spices used to marinate, and answer all your curious questions.
Duration: 1 hour
Admission Ticket Free
Traveler Tips
- "I would recommend this tour to anyone who wishes to learn about Dubai beyond its glitz and glamour including to families with children." See review
Reviews
Questions?
Product code: 32484P1
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