Discover magic streets of Dubai, where it all started
- Maya del Aire
- Dec 18, 2018
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 20, 2019
This is day one, first part of your ultimate three day itinerary in Dubai.
This itinerary touches on the most famous landmarks and areas of Dubai. What this blog post offers different than the other blogs, is that here you will find out about best tricks and tips how to get the best view of Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, take best shots of Burj Al Arab, how to discover hidden gems of historical district in Dubai etc.
The itinerary is focused on three main areas of Dubai, Old Dubai, Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina. Since the city itself is quite spread out, I have divided the itinerary into three days in order for you to avoid spending a lot of money on transport. Also, these landmarks are open throughout the whole year, so you will be able to visit at any time. For other intriguing places that I would suggest, you will find them is separate posts. All three days itinerary start in the afternoon, as it might be quite difficult to accommodate during the hottest hours of the day.
Click below to check out the rest of your ultimate Dubai itinerary
Day 1 Discover magic streets of Dubai, where it all started
What does this itinerary include ?
This particular day is dedicated to the Old Dubai, where the actual city started to grow. The old port Dubai is place where people risked their every day life, diving 10 m deep to find precious pearls and trade them in Indian rupees. You will experience the magic of Arabian life center point, Dubai spice, textile and gold markets. You will find out a bit about the UAE history, and end your day getting lost in Al Fahidi, cultural district that will make you feel you are in Aladin's neighborhood.
Good to know before you go
I would suggest you to start a day by exploring different traditional markets, in Arabic Souks, and exercise your haggling skills in the neighborhood that looks just like Aladdin’s. Remember that anywhere around this area in order to get a good bargain, it is necessary to haggle, so pick your items and than start haggling, because the more items you have the better price you will get. Narrow maze streets are home to beige sand buildings that are lined with open or closed roof stores. There is no air-conditioned area expect from the actual shops, therefore even though most of the streets are covered with these intricate wooden roof, unless you come in period in between October-May, the best time to go around would be after the sunset. There are different kind of markets in Dubai Souk such as Gold market, Spice, Textile markets which are offering variety of souvenirs, pashmina shawls, spices, rugs, and artifacts.
Itinerary
Dubai Gold, Textile and Spice Souk
13:00-15:00
Ask the taxi driver to bring you to the Dubai Gold Souk, or drop off at Palm Deira Metro Station and walk for 15 min. The Gold Souk or Market stretches into street full of gold, silver and platinum jewelry shops. You may also find 24 karat gold coins and gold bars known as gold biscuits, which some people, usually Indians, use for investment purposes. If you are interested to buy any jewelry, this would be the best place, just make sure you do haggle before you get the good price.
Head towards Dubai Spice Souk entrance and on your right and left, explore small streets with lots of souvenir and spice shops. In these little shops, you may find Indian and Arabic spices, nuts, dried fruits, herbs, shisha and much more.
After finishing shopping, walk to the port to take the most affordable ride in UAE. Just for one dirham, you will cross the river on traditional wooden boat abra. This boat has no seats, just small benches facing the water, you will seat with locals, and lots of tourist perhaps. Enjoy the trip gazing into the traditional dhow boats around you and seagulls flying over.
You will disembark at Bur Dubai, right at the Textile Souk on your left hand side. The street will be the first parallel with water and will take you through a lot of traditional shops, where you may purchase a lot of souvenirs. This Souk is very touristy and it is also the place where among all, you will be able to by fake bags and watches. Ladies, I would suggest you to simply thank them and continue your exploration, despite lot of compliments that you will receive.
Dubai Museum
15:00-15:45 200 m, 2 min walk from Textile Souk
Once you exit the Souk on the right, you will see big beige fort building which is a Dubai Museum. You have arrived into Al Fahidi historical district. The museum is placed in the oldest building in Dubai that was built around 1787, called Al Fahidi Fort. The museum showcases the UAE culture through recreated wooden houses, boats, mosques. There are very few artifacts, however the museum is filled with wax figures of people picturing marine, coastal, desert life of old times, so it might be quite an interesting visit.
Contact: 04/353-1862, 04/515500
Opening hours: Saturday- Thursday 8.30-20.30, Friday 14.30-20.30
Admission fee: 3aed for adults, 1aed for children
Al Fahidi Cultural District
15:45-19:00 next to Dubai Museum
The Al Fahidi historical district is also known as Bastakia Quarter, named by merchants who have settled here from Persian city Bastak. This little neighborhood has been renovated for tourists, and its main characteristics are wind towers that were built to create natural ventilation in buildings. This little fairy tale neighborhood is located just 300m from Fahidi metro station, and features little souvenir shops, art galleries and museums.
There are few museums worth visiting: Coin Museum, Architectural heritage society, and my favorite would be Coffee museum. This cozy, in a traditional setting museum, offers a global coffee journey through time. Museum exhibits different grinders, pots and roaster of all times, and for a small fee of 10aed you will be able to taste Arabic or Egyptian coffee and to be introduced to ways of preparing Arabic coffee by local guides.
Opening hours: Saturday- Thursday 9:00-17:00, closed on Fridays
Admission fee: free
#bastakiaquarter #bastakiaquarterdubai #coinmuseumdubai #coffeemuseum #coffeemuseumdubai #arabiccoffee #bastak
If you are a person who drinks coffee after the meal, I would suggest you to have dinner in one of the restaurants in this area: The Arabian Tea House restaurant and Café for a traditional setting or XVA Gallery for a bit modern atmosphere. However if you decide not to have your lunch in XVA Gallery, make sure you visit it as this is one of the galleries worth visiting in this area, and it is also free of charge. This is also a part of the hotel, so check it out, it may be your choice for accommodation also.
Arabian Tea House opening hours: daily from 07:00-22:00
XVA gallery opening times: 10:00- 18:00
https://www.xvagallery.com/hotel/
Tips and tricks***
The streets are not marked, likewise, some of the points of interest you may not find on Google map, therefore make sure you mark these few landmarks I have recommended and feel free to explore any villa/house that you see interesting. Some of the galleries have no staff, there will only be the exhibition, so simply enter the place, be respectful, and enjoy the art. One of those is called Restoration house, and it it exhibits Arabian style artifacts.
#arabianteahouse #xvagallery #lunchindubai #traditionalfooddubai #eatlikelocal #foodiedubai #restaurantsdubai #dinningdubai #tasteofdubai
Optional
If you happen to do this itinerary on Sunday, you may finish your night in a relaxed way, watching a movie under the stars. Wafi Mall, which is interesting to visit just because of its famous ”Ancient Egypt” architecture, in its rooftop, every Sunday hosts free cinema night under the stars. Wafi also is a hotel and home to many restaurants with international cuisine that you may taste.
Kindly contact them prior to your visit.
https://www.wafi.com/
Contact number: +971 4 324 4100
***Click here to know more about dos and donts in UAE
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