Do It Yourself – Walking Tour Around Old Dubai

By Author: Inait Ullah
Total Articles: 1
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Dubai; have you seen it all? The swanky hotels, the luxurious resorts, the amazing parks, delightful fountains, dizzying skyscrapers, the limitless shopping, the scintillating adventures, sizzling excitement and the delectable dining to die for! Have you? You sure did! But wait, before you believe you finished and pack your bags to leave, you better know where all it started. So let’s take a walk along the aisle of its history, back to the creek. Many of the cheap hotels in Dubai are dotted around here. Much before the success tales of oil began in Dubai, this humble creek was the prime fishing area and a pearling site, serving as a gateway to middle-eastern traders. Thus the Dubai Creek has earned its place as a top tourist draw. You can still check into the traditional inns here that are some of the cheapest hotels in Dubai. A walking tour that draws you into its cultural fold is an intelligent thing to do, when exploring Old Dubai.
The Gold Souk in Deira is the right place to start. Landing here is easy either by a bus or a train or the more expensive cab. The Green Line Metro is a great option too. At the Al Ras ...
... Station, take a few minute stroll to Gold Souk. Sporting over 300 gold and jewellery shops, you are simply spoilt for choice shopping for that pendant, a chain, a bangle or even a gold bar. And the trick is to haggle for a while till the seller succumbs and more often than not, you are successful. Leaving the Gold Souk you can head to the Deira Grand Souk where the air is intense with Arabian spices. Also referred to as Spice Souk this is heaven for spices of the Middle East. And yet you also get textiles, souvenirs and even kitchenware here.
Now walk over to the Dubai Creek where you can ride a traditional wooden abra for just a dirham and cross over to Bur Dubai. Cheap hotels in Dubai are available here too. At the station a short walk to right will lead you to Al Shindaga. A leisurely done stroll alongside the creek and you are at an Arabian village. Have a go at the traditional Emirati food at the Dubai Heritage and Diving Village savouring its richness in each bite.
Next walk on to Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum's House who once ruled Dubai. A museum today, you can look at the well preserved heritage with an entrance charge of three dirhams. After this you might want to head to the Dubai Old Souk for miscellaneous shopping to pick up either a pair of sandals or a robe or even trinkets. After you are done, direct your feet to the Dubai Museum at the Al Fahidi Fort, Dubai's oldest building. Three dirhams will get you in. Discover yourself transported to an era of Dubai’s past and glorious heritage.
Walk on to Bastakia, a neighborhood along the Dubai Creek with a unique history known to be a residential cluster for prosperous traders. Cheap hotels in Dubai can be found even here randomly. The well preserved Arab homes sport the traditional wind catchers. Bastakia is replete with art galleries, museums, restaurants and cheap hotels. Wind up your walk with the taste of an exotic Camel Burger and refreshing tea at the Local House Restaurant and at the Arabian Tea House.
Old Dubai just like many historic cities has outstanding memories to offer that would inevitably intermingle with your own as you head home.

Over the past 6 years, I’ve written, edited and contributed to high-quality blogs in Asia, UK and Middle East. My work experience includes producing content for a range of high-profile clients in various genres. Apart from content writing & blogging, I love being active on social media. Presently I work for AlKamilBooking.com in Dubai, which is an online travel portal known for selling cheap flight tickets and best rates on hotels across the world.