If you plan to visit Dubai, you definitely should find one day for the old part. It’s not very big so it’s a good place to hang out for a few hours. While my stay in Dubai I’ve been living in this part of the city and I don’t regret. It’s so calm in the morning so you can observe the locals preparing for the new day coming, the vendors opening theirs shops and Arabs drinking their first coffee. On the other hand, it becomes colorful, vivid and exciting at night. There are plenty of things to do in Old Dubai. Here are my propositions:
1. In the morning
Have an early morning walk. This is really the best time for city watching. Right before people start their work and do mornings routines. The air is fresh and the streets are empty. You can stroll, take some pictures and observe the details of the buildings.
It’s quite and calm so it’s also a good moment just to be with yourself. If you like to start your day active, go for a jogging. You will kill two birds with one stone: sightseeing + running.
Also, feel like a local and start your day with the real, fresh Arabic coffee. You can take a black one, but the traditional type includes milk and sugar. There are numerous small cafes where you can take it away and continue walking with a cup of coffee in your hand.
Then, you can jump for a traditional Arabic breakfast.
2. In the afternoon
Find some time to take a traditional, wooden boat and swim through the canal. This is very scenic and you can observe the city from a new perspective. The boat can also take you from one side of the river to another, which is very convenient way to move.
Go right to the side where the souks are. You will have the next stop there.
Before shopping, you should really try something extraordinary – an ice-cream made with the camels’ milk. It is famous for its highly nutritious composition. It’s a rich source of proteins and it’s three times higher in vitamin C than cow’s milk and 10 times higher in iron. And it’s very tasty J You will find a small ice-cream stand with just beside the boat station.
After this small break you can take time for wandering around Dubai souks. There are different types – Textile, Spices and Gold. Although they are not big, they’re still charming and nice to watch.
Especially, the Gold Souk. You can really find the good prices for jewelry there. Dubai has far lower prices of gold jewelry than any other place in the world.
I also really liked the Textile Souk as it was very colorful and materials had a good quality. You can easily find pure cotton and silk.
If you want to buy something, remember to bargain! Don’t take the first price for granted. Or second one…or third one…No shopping without bargaining! That’s a whole fun :)
3. In the evening
After shopping, it’s high time to eat something special. There are plenty of small restaurants in the area, but you can always have kebab in other time. Why don’t you try something traditional in a beautiful surrounding? I found a place like this :)
Arabian Tea House is one of the oldest restaurant in Old Dubai and it serves absolutely delicious Arabic food.
It’s healthy, full of flavors and aromatic. I took a huge salad and plate with grilled meat and hummus, obviously.
The interior was very beautiful. White wooden furniture, pillows and lights. All of the details made the place cozy.
Time to move :) Al Fahisi Historical Neighborhood is what you need after a dinner like this.
Photography enthusiasts can’t go wrong here as every angle looks like a masterpiece with the Arabesque designs of the old buildings.
Good news for art lovers: there is a number of art galleries displaying everything from calligraphy to modern art in the area.
It’s getting late and this part of the city becomes empty and quiet. It’s high time to end the day and prepare for another day of Dubai attractions…
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