About this experience
The heart of Dubai beats here - in the historic districts of Al Bastakiya, Al Fahidi, Shindagha. I invite you to take an extensive walk through them. You will talk to locals: visit the calligrapher's workshop and enjoy coffee brewed on the sand by a Bedouin. You will see the oldest buildings in Dubai and the Shindagha Museum which includes 22 thematic houses of local residents. Traditions, way of life, cuisine, and much more in 6 hours!
Why take this tour
- To see for yourself: Dubai is not just a city of skyscrapers. You will see its most authentic sides and the heritage of the past.
- To learn about life in Dubai from locals. You will hear about local traditions, ways of running households, crafts, and leisure activities.
- To discover Dubai through tastes, scents, sounds, and textures.
Route
Al Bastakiya. We will have a conversation with a Bedouin, enjoy coffee, and talk about falconry, popular in Dubai and other Arab countries. We will approach the bright and elegant Bastakiya mosque: I will tell you about its history and about Islam in the UAE. Along the way, we will peek into ancient houses, including the workshop of a calligraphy artist: he will share the peculiarities of his art.
Al Fahidi and Al Shindagha. Through the historical streets and the 1878 Fahidi fort (the oldest surviving structure in Dubai), we will further trace our steps to visit two museums. In the Perfume Museum, you will listen to Arabic fragrances and learn about their components; you will discover how perfumes are made and what they are intended for. And in the UAE History Museum, the interactive exhibition will tell the story of the country's formation, its realities before and after the discovery of oil.
Al Seef. We will stroll through Al Seef, a new district in the city designed in an ancient style. We will end our journey with lunch at an Arabic-style restaurant, where you will taste authentic dishes of local cuisine.
Organizational details
- I will pick you up from your hotel in Dubai in my car, we will drive to the starting point, and the tour itself will be on foot. Transfers from other emirates are not provided.
- It is preferable to book the tour for the morning time.
- Some museums are closed on weekends, so we will discuss the exact route in advance.
- The tour is available for adults and children over 10 years old (it can be difficult for younger children).
Additional expenses
- Tickets to the Coffee Museum - 10 dirhams per person
- Tickets to the Shindagha Museum including 22 thematic houses - 50 dirhams per person
- Lunch at an authentic restaurant - from 40 to 100 dirhams per person
The Coffee Museum is open from Saturday to Thursday (9:00 - 17:00)
The Shindagha Museum is open from Monday to Sunday (10:00 - 20:00)
On the day of the tour, the guide calls the museums to check if they are open, then informs you about it
