VISIT BUR DUBAI AND DEIRA DUBAI, WALKING IN 3 TO 4 HOURS
SUMMARY -.
Bur Dubai
Stop 1 - Al Fahidi Neighborhood
Stop 2 - Dubai Museum
Stop 3 - Old Souk
Board the Abra to go across the creek
Deira Dubai
Stop 1 - Spice Souk
Stop 2 - Ahmediyah School
Stop 3- Gold Souk (you may also see the Women's Museum which is near the gold souk)
If you are visiting Dubai for a short period this is how one can see it -
Dubai working days -
1st working day - Sunday
Weekdays - Sunday to Thursday
Weekends - Friday and Saturday (please make a note of metro timings on Fridays)
Step by Step -
Dubai Metro -
2 lines - Green and Red
The Red line passes thru the modern Dubai and the Green line thru the old Dubai.
The common station where one can interchange from Green to Red or Red to Green is Bur Juman and Union
http://dubaimetro.eu/dubai-metro-map
To travel by metro - one needs to buy a NOL card available at the station
Metro also offers a special one day card for AED15/ or USD4.10 - which allows you to use Metro or Bus in Dubai for 1 day.
The operation hours - Saturday to Wednesdays - 6am to 12am
Thursday - 6am to 1am
Friday - 1pm to 1am
To start your day -
Get down at Al Fahidi metro station (green line), take exit no. 3
As you exit the station you will see Picnic restaurant, which means that it is the correct exit.
Keep on walking straight and you shall see Al Ostad Kebab (delicious Persian Kebabs) on your right, then and pass the pedestrian traffic light after 200 meters you will see a round about-
When you have reached the round about you will see Al Adil Supermarket on your right or behind you.
Across the street is -
Al Fahidi Neighborhood (Bastakiya) - Time to spend 1 hour
http://tinyurl.com/l3qrdjt
The area of Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood was built in 1859 and was famous for signature wind towers creating an iconic skyline for Dubai. Even today, the wind towers are regarded as cultural icon of the city. Following renovation and preservation, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood is now a tourist village with a museum, a cultural center, restaurants and an art gallery. The old Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood district gives a glimpse of old Dubai.
http://tinyurl.com/nrpg7y7
Not to miss in this area - XVA Art Hotel - try the fresh mint lemonade.
If you find it difficult to figure the way out from this neighborhood, ask the security personnel for the direction towards Dubai Museum
Once you are out of the maze like alleys of Al Fahidi Neighborhood, walk towards the Dubai Museum - 3 minutes walking distance.
You will see Al Maya Supermarket, Arabain Courtyard hotel on the left hand and further a traffic light where Dubai Museum is located -
Dubai Museum - (an old fort converted in to the museum) - 45mins to 1 hour
The museum which is air conditioned was opened by the ruler of Dubai in 1971, glimpse of traditional way of life in Emirate of Dubai.
The entry is charges AED3/ or USD0.81 per person -
Saturday to Thursday from 8:30am until 8:30 pm and on
Friday from 2:30pm until 8:30pm.
Towards the Abra Station from the Museum - 4 to 5 minutes (might take longer if you decide to shop in the Old Souk)
At the exit you will see the Arabian courtyard hotel on the opposite side - again walk towards the museum entrance and you will see a big Masjid (mosque) behind the museum on the left hand side of the Masjid there is a sign which says Old Souk Station - walk in the alley which is right beside this sign and you will enter the Old Souk (Souk = Market)
The souk with a large number of small stores selling a wide range of products including fabric footwear and souvenirs.
There are a lot of money exchanges which will give better exchange rate then the hotel. In case of exchanging travelers cheque, passport is required.
While walking thru the souk you will hear the sound of
Abra (Abra = Boat), which is a small traditional dhow, capacity of 20 passengers, takes you across the creek for AED1/ or USD0.27 per person.
Do not take the Abra from the Old Souk station, walk further down and take the Abra from the next stop,which is near bank of Baroda.
Abra ride from Bur Dubai to Deira Dubai - 10mins to 15mins
The Abra will ferry you across the creek from
Bur Dubai to Deira Dubai.
Spice Souk (Deira Dubai)- 30mins
The Spice souk is located in Deira Dubai, it is 2mins walking distance from Abra station.
Spice souk's narrow alleys are lined with small stores selling every herb and spice under the sun.
The air is filled with pungent aromas emanating from colourful sacks of cinnamon, turmeric, dried rose petals, nut meg, cloves etc,.
Try the Irani Falooda (vermicelli served cold with sweet or tangy syrup) - which is sold in a small juice shop located at the entrance of the souk.
Heritage house - Ahmediya school - 20mins - Free Entry
Saturday to Thursday: 08:30 am -08:30 pm,
Friday: 02:00 pm -08:30 pm
The school is 5mins away from the Spice Souk - directions - as for Heritage house / Ahmediya school to any shopkeeper around the spice souk.
Established in 1912, Al Ahmadiya School was the first regular school in Dubai, located in the Al-Ras area of Deira.
The two-storey building was renovated in 1995 for use as a museum of education. The oldest part of the house dates back to the 1890s, with many newer parts added in later years. It is a large courtyard house with more than 10 rooms and a rectangular wind tower.
Gold Souk (save the best for the last) - 30mins to 90mins
The Gold souq is Dubai's most famous and visited souk.
The market price of gold is displayed on signs around the souq. Prices are listed for 24k, 22k and 18k.
Pieces are sold by weight as per the current market price plus the making charge or additional charge for workmanship.
If you intend to buy please remember the weight element of the price is non-negotiable but the charge for workmanship is.
You make take the metro from the Gold Souk to the hotel - the nearest metro station is Palm Deira or simply take a Taxi if tired.
Always carry a bottle of water with you.
Please share if you have found the information helpful.. Cheers!
SUMMARY -.
Bur Dubai
Stop 1 - Al Fahidi Neighborhood
Stop 2 - Dubai Museum
Stop 3 - Old Souk
Board the Abra to go across the creek
Deira Dubai
Stop 1 - Spice Souk
Stop 2 - Ahmediyah School
Stop 3- Gold Souk (you may also see the Women's Museum which is near the gold souk)
If you are visiting Dubai for a short period this is how one can see it -
Dubai working days -
1st working day - Sunday
Weekdays - Sunday to Thursday
Weekends - Friday and Saturday (please make a note of metro timings on Fridays)
Step by Step -
Dubai Metro -
2 lines - Green and Red
The Red line passes thru the modern Dubai and the Green line thru the old Dubai.
The common station where one can interchange from Green to Red or Red to Green is Bur Juman and Union
http://dubaimetro.eu/dubai-metro-map
To travel by metro - one needs to buy a NOL card available at the station
Metro also offers a special one day card for AED15/ or USD4.10 - which allows you to use Metro or Bus in Dubai for 1 day.
The operation hours - Saturday to Wednesdays - 6am to 12am
Thursday - 6am to 1am
Friday - 1pm to 1am
To start your day -
Get down at Al Fahidi metro station (green line), take exit no. 3
As you exit the station you will see Picnic restaurant, which means that it is the correct exit.
Keep on walking straight and you shall see Al Ostad Kebab (delicious Persian Kebabs) on your right, then and pass the pedestrian traffic light after 200 meters you will see a round about-
When you have reached the round about you will see Al Adil Supermarket on your right or behind you.
Across the street is -
Al Fahidi Neighborhood (Bastakiya) - Time to spend 1 hour
http://tinyurl.com/l3qrdjt
The area of Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood was built in 1859 and was famous for signature wind towers creating an iconic skyline for Dubai. Even today, the wind towers are regarded as cultural icon of the city. Following renovation and preservation, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood is now a tourist village with a museum, a cultural center, restaurants and an art gallery. The old Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood district gives a glimpse of old Dubai.
http://tinyurl.com/nrpg7y7
Not to miss in this area - XVA Art Hotel - try the fresh mint lemonade.
If you find it difficult to figure the way out from this neighborhood, ask the security personnel for the direction towards Dubai Museum
Once you are out of the maze like alleys of Al Fahidi Neighborhood, walk towards the Dubai Museum - 3 minutes walking distance.
You will see Al Maya Supermarket, Arabain Courtyard hotel on the left hand and further a traffic light where Dubai Museum is located -
Dubai Museum - (an old fort converted in to the museum) - 45mins to 1 hour
The entry is charges AED3/ or USD0.81 per person -
Saturday to Thursday from 8:30am until 8:30 pm and on
Friday from 2:30pm until 8:30pm.
Towards the Abra Station from the Museum - 4 to 5 minutes (might take longer if you decide to shop in the Old Souk)
At the exit you will see the Arabian courtyard hotel on the opposite side - again walk towards the museum entrance and you will see a big Masjid (mosque) behind the museum on the left hand side of the Masjid there is a sign which says Old Souk Station - walk in the alley which is right beside this sign and you will enter the Old Souk (Souk = Market)
There are a lot of money exchanges which will give better exchange rate then the hotel. In case of exchanging travelers cheque, passport is required.
While walking thru the souk you will hear the sound of
Abra (Abra = Boat), which is a small traditional dhow, capacity of 20 passengers, takes you across the creek for AED1/ or USD0.27 per person.
Do not take the Abra from the Old Souk station, walk further down and take the Abra from the next stop,which is near bank of Baroda.
Abra ride from Bur Dubai to Deira Dubai - 10mins to 15mins
The Abra will ferry you across the creek from
Bur Dubai to Deira Dubai.
Spice Souk (Deira Dubai)- 30mins
Spice souk's narrow alleys are lined with small stores selling every herb and spice under the sun.
The air is filled with pungent aromas emanating from colourful sacks of cinnamon, turmeric, dried rose petals, nut meg, cloves etc,.
Try the Irani Falooda (vermicelli served cold with sweet or tangy syrup) - which is sold in a small juice shop located at the entrance of the souk.
Heritage house - Ahmediya school - 20mins - Free Entry
Saturday to Thursday: 08:30 am -08:30 pm,
Friday: 02:00 pm -08:30 pm
Established in 1912, Al Ahmadiya School was the first regular school in Dubai, located in the Al-Ras area of Deira.
The two-storey building was renovated in 1995 for use as a museum of education. The oldest part of the house dates back to the 1890s, with many newer parts added in later years. It is a large courtyard house with more than 10 rooms and a rectangular wind tower.
Gold Souk (save the best for the last) - 30mins to 90mins
The market price of gold is displayed on signs around the souq. Prices are listed for 24k, 22k and 18k.
Pieces are sold by weight as per the current market price plus the making charge or additional charge for workmanship.
If you intend to buy please remember the weight element of the price is non-negotiable but the charge for workmanship is.
You make take the metro from the Gold Souk to the hotel - the nearest metro station is Palm Deira or simply take a Taxi if tired.
Always carry a bottle of water with you.
Please share if you have found the information helpful.. Cheers!
