Tales of the Past: Tracing Dubai’s origins in Deira

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Tales of the Past: Tracing Dubai’s origins in Deira

(23 reviews)
Dubai audio tour: Tales of the Past: Tracing Dubai’s origins in Deira
This is a 1.2mi walking tour.
It takes an average of 60 mins to complete.
Dubai
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$5.99
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About the Tour

Travel back in time across Dubai’s historic waterway and into its bustling souks. You’ll enjoy a breezy ride on a traditional boat called an abra, breathe in the aromatic delights of the Spice Souk, and then weave your way through the picturesque alleyways of Deira. Along the way, there are museums dedicated to poets and women in the UAE, as well as a school that helped shape Dubai’s leaders. This neighbourhood was once the centre of Dubai’s pearl trade and has played a key role in the city’s culture and economy. The Gold Souk, where you’ll arrive at the end of the tour, illustrates this perfectly.

Please be sure to bring along 1 dirham to pay for the abra across Dubai Creek. It’s also important to start the tour’s audio before you board the abra.

Categories
Neighbourhoods Maritime Heritage Business And Commerce Markets

Tour Producer

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Visit Dubai

41 tours

Welcome to Dubai’s official tourism account. Our city is one of the world's most dynamic and rapidly growing destinations. Recognized as the #1 Global Destination on TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards in 2022, Dubai has established itself as a premier travel hub combining innovation with tradition. The emirate offers visitors an unparalleled experience featuring iconic landmarks including the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, and the Palm Jumeirah artificial archipelago.

From vibrant multicultural neighborhoods and world-class shopping destinations to rich cultural experiences rooted in Emirati heritage, Dubai caters to diverse traveler interests. The city seamlessly blends ultramodern architecture with traditional souks, luxury resorts with desert adventures, and cutting-edge dining with authentic Arabian cuisine. As the official tourism guide, Visit Dubai provides comprehensive resources for trip planning, showcasing the emirate's commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality and unforgettable experiences to millions of international visitors annually.

Enjoy one of our seven tours, offered in seven different languages and explore what the city has to offer.

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Preview Location

Location 5

Dubai Spice Souk

This is the entrance to the Spice Souk. You probably smelt it before you saw it.

Stop here for a moment while we explain the history of this especially fragrant market, and point you in the direction of the treasures within.

The Spice Souk might not look that old, but ...
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Major Landmarks

  • Dubai Spice Souk

  • Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili

  • Women's Museum Bait al Banat

  • Dubai Gold Souk

Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.
  1. Start location
    Al Souq Al Kabeer - Al Fahidi - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
  2. Total distance
    2km
  3. Final location
    25.26587887, 55.29727209
  4. Distance back to start location
    420.77m

Directions to Starting Point

This tour starts at the Bur Dubai Abra Station at the intersections of 3A Street and 34th Street.

The closest metro station is Al Ghubaiba on the Green Line, which is about a five-minute walk away. Bur Dubai Abra Station can also be reached from Al Ras Metro Station, which is about a ten-minute walk from the abra station.

Abras from the Bur Dubai station to the Old Souk station operate every day from 5am to midnight.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

The Spice Souk, Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili, Al Ahmadiya School, Al Bait Al Qadeem Emirati Heritage Restaurant, Dubai Women’s Museum

Best time of day

The Spice Souk, near the start of this tour, is open from 10am from Saturday to Thursday, and from 4pm on Friday.

The Gold Souk, at the end of this hour-long tour, is open from 9:30am until 9:30pm every day.

If you’d like to visit the Dubai Women’s Museum, it is closed on Fridays and open from 10am to 6pm for the rest of the week. The Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili is also closed on Fridays and Saturdays, and is only open from 8am to 2pm for the rest of the week.

Precautions

Large parts of this tour are shaded, but there are stretches where you’ll be exposed to the sun. Carry a water bottle and wear sunscreen.

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“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”
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Questions and Reviews

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