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Old Dubai (Bur Dubai & Deira)

Dubai

Both banks of Dubai Creek: the Al Fahidi historic quarter and textile souk in Bur Dubai, and the gold and spice souks across the water in Deira.

Best for Budget · First visit

Transport
4/5
Sights
4/5
Value
5/5
Quiet
2/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$120/night · 20 min to Burj Khalifa

See hotels in Old Dubai (Bur Dubai & Deira)

Old Dubai (Bur Dubai & Deira) on the map

Why stay here

  • Souks, abras and the old quarter on your doorstep
  • The cheapest hotels in Dubai
  • Close to the airport

Who should stay here

  • Budget travellers
  • Travellers who want history and markets
  • Short stopovers

Not ideal if…

  • You want a beach
  • You want hotel bars and nightlife
  • You want quiet streets

What it's like

This is where Dubai began. In Bur Dubai the Al Fahidi quarter keeps old courtyard houses with wind towers, now galleries and cafés, next to the waterfront of Al Seef. For one dirham an abra, a wooden water taxi, takes you across the creek to Deira's gold, spice and perfume souks.

Rooms are the cheapest in the city and the airport is close by metro. Streets are busy and hot, with small Indian, Pakistani and Iranian restaurants rather than glossy dining, and you'll need the metro or a taxi for the beaches and Downtown. Many hotels here don't serve alcohol.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Al Fahidi

    Old wind-tower houses, museums and courtyard cafés.

  • Al Seef

    Rebuilt waterfront of shops and restaurants along the creek.

  • Deira souks

    Gold, spice and perfume markets near the Deira Old Souk abra station.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Green Line stations at Al Fahidi, Al Ghubaiba and Al Ras, BurJuman for both lines, and abras across the creek.
To Burj Khalifa
About 20 minutes
From Dubai International Airport
About 20 minutes: Red Line metro to BurJuman or Union, then the Green Line.

Nearby attractions

  • Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

    Lanes of restored houses and small museums.

  • Abra across the creek

    Wooden water taxis for a dirham each way.

  • Gold and Spice Souks

    Window-shop the gold, haggle for saffron and frankincense.

  • Dubai Frame

    150-metre frame with views of old and new Dubai.

Where to eat and drink

  • Meena Bazaar

    Cheap South Asian restaurants near the textile souk.

  • Al Seef

    Waterfront cafés and Emirati restaurants.

  • Arabian Tea House

    Courtyard café in Al Fahidi serving Emirati breakfast.

Where to stay in Old Dubai (Bur Dubai & Deira)

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

Park Hyatt Dubai

Why we like it: Low-rise resort on the creek next to a golf course.

Typical luxury rate in Old Dubai (Bur Dubai & Deira): ~$270/night

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Boutique pick

Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton

Why we like it: Traditional-style hotel on the Al Seef waterfront.

Typical mid-range rate in Old Dubai (Bur Dubai & Deira): ~$120/night

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Boutique pick

XVA Art Hotel

Why we like it: Small art hotel in an old courtyard house in Al Fahidi.

Typical mid-range rate in Old Dubai (Bur Dubai & Deira): ~$120/night

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Hotels in Old Dubai (Bur Dubai & Deira)Mid-range from ~$120/night

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