Old Dubai: Deira & Al Fahidi
Old Dubai: Deira, Bur Dubai and Al Fahidi: the back story
Neighbourhood guide
About Old Dubai: Deira, Bur Dubai and Al Fahidi: the back story
Old Dubai grew on both banks of the Creek: Bur Dubai, with the wind-tower lanes of Al Fahidi and the museums of Al Shindagha, and Deira, with its Gold and Spice Souks.
Bur Dubai
Walk Al Fahidi early, visit Al Shindagha Museum, and eat Emirati dishes at Al Khayma or Al-Fanar at Al Seef.
Deira
From the abra station, the Spice and Gold Souks are a short walk.
Cross the Creek by abra: it takes a few minutes.
Our advice: come back in the evening, when the souks are busiest.
Why it's on our list
- Al Fahidi
- The abras
- The souks
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Old Dubai: Deira, Bur Dubai and Al Fahidi: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Old Dubai: Deira, Bur Dubai and Al Fahidi: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest stations
- Sharaf DGGreen Line700 m9 min walk
- Al RasGreen Line850 m10 min walk
- Baniyas SquareGreen Line950 m12 min walk
Key sights
- Abra across the Creek700 mWalk 9 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Dubai International (DXB)6.4 kmCycle 25 minCar or taxi 18 min
- The Dubai Mall7.8 kmCycle 31 minCar or taxi 21 min
- The Dubai Fountain7.9 kmCycle 32 minCar or taxi 21 min
- Burj Khalifa7.9 kmCycle 32 minCar or taxi 21 min
- Kite Beach15 kmCar or taxi 34 min
- Madinat Jumeirah19 kmCar or taxi 42 min
- Atlantis The Palm23 kmCar or taxi 52 min
- Dubai Marina Walk25 kmCar or taxi 55 min
Main railway stations
- Etihad Rail: Dubai Station31 kmCar or taxi 66 min