Discover the ancient city of Dubai

To the west of Dubai Creek, the inlet that divides the old city in two, you'll find the Deira district. This is an old district renowned for its commercial activity before the modernisation of the city as we know it today. Nevertheless, Deira has lost none of its charm. Some of the city's working-class population still live there today. This lively district is full of beautiful things to see, experience and even smell. We'll tell you all about it!

Discover the souks

A stroll through the Bur Dubai district is like stepping back in time. Located in the north-east of the city, it is famous for its textile souk, which in the past was mainly devoted to fabrics. Today, it is more diversified. You'll find clothes, decorative items and other souvenirs, all in a colourful decor and lively atmosphere. On the other side of the river, in Deira, you'll find several markets, including the spice market and the city's famous gold market. To discover Dubai in all its authenticity, head to the historic centre of Bur Dubai. This is opposite the Deira district.

Sailing on a typical boat

To reach the historic districts separated by Dubai Creek, traditional boats called "abras" transport locals and tourists from one bank to the other. These wooden boats, now fitted with a motor, were used to transport goods some fifty years ago when Dubai was still just a small fishing port. The journey from Bur Dubai station to the souks of Deira takes around 5 minutes.

Al Fahidi Fort, a traditional museum not to be missed

The oldest building in the city, the Al Fahidi Fort, built in 1787, has been the city's **main museum *since1971. As*soon as you enter, you'll see the cannons that were used to protect the town in the event of an invasion, as well as the wind towers that were used to ventilate the interiors.

A typical boat has been placed in front of the fort. This museum bears witness to the traditions, customs and history of the town, which was founded in 1883. From a simple fishing port renowned for its pearl oysters to the lush, futuristic city of today, several exhibitions and reconstructions illustrate the transformation of Dubai since the discovery of oil.

The typical architecture of the old city

The historic centres of Dubai have nothing in common with the modernity of other districts such as the Marina and its many skyscrapers. To see this, you need to get lost in the typical narrow streets of Bur Dubai and Deira.

There are buildings, museums and traditional houses with oriental architecture consisting of wind towers (the forerunner of air conditioning), mosaics and beams. The houses with shaded courtyards inAl Bastakiya, the city's oldest district, bear witness to this heritage.

The Deira district is served by the metro. Take the green line and stop at Unions, Baniays Square or Al Ras stations. To pay, you need a transport card, the NOL Card. It is valid on all public transport in Dubai.

To visit the different districts of the old city, you have to cross Dubai Creek, an inlet on which visitors can travel by 'abra', the traditional boat. The journey takes around 5 minutes and costs around 25 cents.

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