Wonderful Sights Not to Miss in Old Dubai

Dubai is a gleaming metropolis that has enough glamor and shine to put Hollywood to shame. In the last couple of decades, the city has seen tremendous growth and complete transformation from a small fishing village to a global destination. However, there’s more to Dubai beyond the incredible landmarks, breath-taking architecture, and amazing shopping. Old Dubai is referred to as the soul of Dubai, and with good reason. That’s because when you enter old Dubai, you’ll be leaving the modern city far behind. You feel as if you have traveled back in time, and found yourself in quaint old streets that existed long before modern Dubai was even conceived. Hordes of tourists visit Old Dubai to absorb the genuine Arabian culture here. Every shop you enter will welcome you with a cup of Arabian coffee. How’s that for old-world ambience?

Check out all the wonderful attractions in old Dubai that will leave you charmed.

1. Take A Dhow Cruise On The Dubai Creek

The Dubai Creek is a 14 plus kilometers of saltwater that begins at the Persian Gulf and ends at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Center. It was at one time used by old Dubai’s fishing and pearl-diving industry before becoming a trading gateway. Today, the picturesque Dubai Creek is one of the topmost tourist attractions. The best way to enjoy the Dubai Creek is via a dhow cruise, from end to end. You can also explore it on a traditional old wooden boat called the abra, from the Deira Old Souk Station. Cross the creek from Deira to Bur Dubai areas and explore these two extremely culturally rich towns. One of the top reasons to keep your Dubai tourist visa ready. You can also check out Dhow Cruise Dubai Creek Charter – a unique experience on Dhow Cruise Dubai for celebrating special events and grand functions on a larger scale and extravagance.

2. Enjoy Touring Old Dubai’s Souqs!

Old Dubai is famous for its many colorful and lively souks. When you are here, you’ll soon forget you’re part of a modern world.

1. The Gold Souk:

One of the fascinating souks of Dubai one should visit on a Dubai trip is the Gold Souk. Take a trip into the past as you explore the labyrinth of narrow walkways of the traditional Arabian marketplace. There are over 300 gold jewelry shops, selling gold at the cheapest price. There are notices around the souk informing customers of the current international gold prices, but you can bargain for cheaper rates here! Oh, and did we mention that as you exit the Gold Souk, you’ll come across a display of the Guinness World Record’s heaviest gold ring? Yup, that’s Dubai for you!

2. The Grand Souk Deira:

Take a trip into the past as you explore the labyrinth of narrow walkways of the traditional Arabian marketplace. There are over 300 gold jewelry shops, selling gold at the cheapest price. There are notices around the souk informing customers of the current international gold prices, but you can bargain for cheaper rates here! Oh, and did we mention that as you exit the Gold Souk, you’ll come across a display of the Guinness World Record’s heaviest gold ring? Yup, that’s Dubai for you!

3. Dubai Old Souk:

This is another covered traditional souq, which houses hundreds of retail shops. You’ll find everything here from trinkets, food, Arabian textiles, handmade Arabian footwear and more. The footwear is really good here; decorated to within an inch of space, these ornate shoes will be the best thing to wear for parties back home. Don’t forget about haggling for better prices; the Emiratis enjoy a bit of haggling so go all out at it!

3. Take A Trip To The Dubai Heritage Village

The Dubai Heritage Village is a replica of an old Bedouin village, complete with actual tents and people living the Bedouin lifestyle. It’s located in the Al Shindagha district; take a trip to the heritage village and observe the way life was before the oil boom, when Dubai was a pearl-diving and fishing nation. You’ll find people practicing arts and crafts handed down over the centuries. Buy some traditional Arabian footwear, shawls and cotton robes here as souvenirs for your friends back home. Visiting the heritage village is one of the best things to do explore the Hidden gems  in Dubai.

4. Check Out Old Dubai’s Historic Museums

Visiting the museums in old Dubai is the best way to understand what Dubai was before the oil boom.

1. Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum’s House:

This is the residence of Sheikh Saeed, the current Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s grandfather, who lived in this house from 1912 to 1958. The house is located in the Al Shindagha area, directly facing the Dubai Creek. Today this house is a museum, with 9 wings, filled with photographs, important documents, authentic jewelry, coins, stamps and items that date back to Dubai’s historic era.

2. Dubai Museum:

Check out the Dubai Museum which is located in Dubai’s oldest building, the old Al Fahidi Fort. Here too, you’ll get the chance to study Dubai’s rich history and get some insight into Emirati culture through carefully preserved antiquities and exhibits. You’ll find old war artifacts, maps, photographs, clothes from previous centuries and much more here.

5. Enjoy Strolling Along The Charismatic Bastakiya Quarter

Along the bank of the Dubai Creek lies the charismatic and historic Bastakiya Quarter. It’s part of Bur Dubai, filled with quaint alleyways, shops and homes built long ago. It is a carefully-preserved historical neighborhood, a place where once rich merchants lived. Check out the beautifully-preserved ochre-colored buildings and traditional Arabian homes with their wind catchers (barjeels as they’re called in Arabic). Be sure to visit some of the old cafes in this quarter to taste some homemade shawarma rolls and the hot, thick and sweet Arabian coffee. The Arabian Tea House and Dubai Coffee Museum are some of the most popular places here. There are art galleries and several other aspects of interest in the Bastakiya Quarter. It is best to explore this quaint historic neighborhood on foot.

Conclusion

When you’ve seen all you want of the glamorous Dubai, you’ll enjoy visiting old Dubai even more. Old Dubai, with its historic ambience, old-world markets and culture offers such juxtaposition to the luxury of Dubai that you’ll wonder if you’re actually in the same city anymore. The thing is, old Dubai blends beautifully with modern Dubai – you don’t feel the difference jarring at all. So stop scratching your head and enjoy the atmospheric feel of old Dubai, with its loud haggling, Arabian hospitality, and gold and spices galore. It’s just one of those unique places that cannot be described adequately. You just have to be there and experience the place for yourself to understand just how precious this old part of Dubai is.