Exploring Dubai Old Town: Best Things To Do And See

Dubai can be described in many ways. It's a city that's been developing the most in recent years. It's also a place of extreme luxury and exclusivity. However, it's also a city of contrasts, where history is intertwined with modernity.

For example, Dubai Old Town is a historical location with narrow streets and buildings of coral and gypsum. It's also called Al Fahidi neighborhood, and it's a place where you can see unique architecture that was popular in the past.

This guide explains everything you need to know about the Al Fahidi neighborhood. You'll learn a few interesting facts and how to reach this location. We'll also explore how to visit this historical district via public transport or luxury car rental offers.

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Dubai Old Town overview

Old Town preserves the city's long history and culture. It's full of traditional architecture, with narrow alleys and wind towers. The area includes iconic locations like the Dubai Museum and Dubai Creek.

Tourists and residents can imagine how people in the past lived in the old world. You'll be able to learn about early trading days, observe old buildings with unique architecture, explore souks, and more. There are numerous historical landmarks, which is an incredible contrast to the modern buildings and architecture in the New Town.

How to get to Dubai Old Town

Several ways exist to reach Old Town Dubai. These include:

• metro;
• car rent;
• taxi;
• bus;
• abra (boat).

We will explore these options further.

Metro

You can reach Old Town via the Green Line. Al Fahidi Station is the closest stop to the area. The metro offers a quick and affordable way to travel.

Car Rent

You may rent a luxury vehicle, as Dubai has numerous agencies that provide access to premium brands. For example, Trinity Rental guarantees these benefits:

• no-deposit policy;
• several payment options like cash, credit cards, and cryptocurrency;
• collection of 80+ low-mileage cars, including 2024 models
• package that includes VAT, full CASCO, 300 km/day, toll roads;
• free full tank of fuel (gift);
• dedicated manager available for assistance;
• vehicle delivery to any location (airport, hotel, and more).

You may rent Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, and many other brands. Renting a vehicle with a driver is also possible if you're uncomfortable driving in a different country.

Taxi

Taxis guarantee fast access to the Old Town. You can easily find a taxi from most parts of the city. This option is convenient, but you'll have to wait for the cab to arrive, so plan ahead.

Bus

Buses connect various parts of Dubai to the Old Town. Routes like 27 and 43 are ideal for reaching the area.

Abra (Boat)

Take an abra ride across Dubai Creek for a traditional journey to the Old Town. This option is ideal if you want to watch fascinating views and don't have seasickness.

Best way to explore Old Town

It's best to explore the city on foot if you truly want to experience the cultural understanding of what the location represents. Moreover, it's the only possible way, as Al Fahidi neighborhood has very narrow streets.

This option allows you to absorb the unique atmosphere and culture, and if you've rented a vehicle, you can just park it somewhere nearby. There are plenty of parking lots in Dubai, so this won't be a problem. Overall, walking lets you roam the narrow alleys and traditional buildings up close. That way, it'll be easier to discover hidden gems in the area.

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Best things to do in Dubai Old Town

The Old Town has numerous destinations that you should explore. These include the traditional markets and souks, old alleyways, and other historical landmarks. Here's a list of examples of what locations to visit:

• Gold Souk. You can find exquisite jewelry and gold ornaments.
• Spice Souk. It's a place with aromatic spices and herbs from around the world.
• Al Fahidi Historical District. This area has old wind-tower houses and art galleries in the heritage district.
• Dubai Museum. It's located in Al Fahidi Fort and provides insights into Dubai's history.

You may also roam the streets and let your feet decide where to go.

Where to eat

Here's a list of locations to consider:

• Sind Punjab, Meena Bazaar. It's a Punjabi restaurant launched in 1977.
• Zagol, Al Karama. It's a place with a unique interior and delicious Zagol special.
• Al Shaab Restaurant, Old Souk Market. It's more of a street food location.
• Al Qbabh Seafood, Al Aweer. Visit this spot as it offers traditional Emirati food.

There are other amazing locations like Qwaider Al Nabulsi (Deira), Ravis (Al Satwa), Walid Mohammad Bakhit Bakery (Al Satwa), and more.

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Where to stay

Here's a list with a few options to consider:

• Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Hotel. Luxury hotel with a pool and SPA.
• Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton. A 4-star hotel in a heritage style.
• XVA Art Hotel. A hotel with an art gallery and dining in a historic building.

You don't necessarily need to stay at the Old Town, as you can reach this location via rented car.

Final Thoughts

As you see, there are plenty of places to explore in the Old Town. Likely, you won't visit every location you want within the weekend, so you may want to stay for a few weeks or even a month. Luckily, you can opt for monthly car rental and visit all destinations.