Today, Dubai is known primarily as a gleaming metropolis of glass-and-steel skyscrapers, with an ever-changing skyline and a forward-looking attitude. However, if you know where to look, you can see past the glitz to find the elusive roots of this very modern city in the area around Dubai Creek. This tour with a driver and guide will help you glimpse the rapidly disappearing remnants of the city’s beginnings as an 18th-century fishing village.
It’s also a chance to learn more about the history and culture of the Emirati people. In the Al Fahidi Historic District, where the houses are topped with tall towers called barajeel, your guide will explain how clever engineers used these structures to keep buildings cool in the days before air conditioning. This is also where you’ll find traditional souqs and bazaars that manage to thrive despite existing in the shadow of the city’s palatial malls.
In the afternoon, your guide will pick you up at the hotel and you and other participants will drive into the heart of the city’s historic areas. On the way, you’ll pass the imposing Zabeel Palace, where the ruling family lives, as well as the graceful minarets of Jumeirah Mosque.
Working your way backwards in time, you’ll begin your walking tour in the Al Seef Marina, a relatively new area along the creek that’s lined with fashionable cafés. Then head into the Al Fahidi Historic District, where the narrow streets twist between tall buildings that provide cooling shade as you wander through.
Many of these buildings, which have been converted into galleries and small museums, still retain the traditional cooling towers. You’ll also learn more about other desert-living innovations, like the pierced lattice work on upper-storey windows that lets through light and air, while still keeping the rooms cool.
Then, spend some time exploring Meena Bazaar, considered the oldest shopping district in Dubai. The bazaar is packed tightly with shops selling a bewildering variety of wares, from traditional textiles to handicrafts.
You’ll also be able to visit the textile souq, filled with shawls, scarves, embroidered cushions, traditional tunics, diaphanous dresses and sequin-spangled slippers. From there, take an abra (water taxi) across the creek, where you’ll have time to linger in the glittering gold souq and the fragrant spice souq before returning to your hotel.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our UAE specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
A day in the Arabian Desert
Experience the vast Arabian Desert with a trip curated to your interests. You could choose a wildlife safari in a vintage 4x4, high-speed dune bashing, sandboarding, or heritage adventures such as camel trekking and archery, all culminating in a starlit feast.
Historical walking tour of Dubai
After exploring Dubai’s pivotal role in historic trading routes, you’ll discover the cultural influences of perfume, gold, spices, and spirituality in this vibrant city. You’ll also taste a medley of local delicacies as you wander atmospheric souqs and classical quarters.
Middle East food pilgrimage
Dubai is known for its world-class restaurants, but authentic Middle Eastern food can be surprisingly hard to find here. Get an insider’s glimpse into the cuisine on this guided walking tour, which includes sampling baklava, saffron ice cream and cardamom-scented coffee.
Traditional dhow cruise around Oman’s Musandam Peninsula
After a scenic drive north to Oman, you’ll board a traditional wooden dhow and cruise the fjords and islands of the Musandam Peninsula, where the mountainous coastline meets the crystalline waters of the Arabian Sea.
Traditional wooden dhow dinner cruise in Dubai
Aboard a traditional dhow, you’ll be enveloped in the maritime heritage of Dubai, sailing past the intricately carved minarets or sky-skimming masterpieces of the city. Just as the sunset tints the Gulf, your crew will serve a gourmet buffet dinner.
VIP access to the top of Burj Khalifa
Take advantage of VIP admission to the crown of Dubai’s record-breaking Burj Khalifa — the world’s tallest building — with this exclusive access experience. You’ll share refreshments in a luxurious lounge before scouring the horizonal views from a dedicated viewing deck.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
