Fernweh: Home
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    de|en
    All Places & RegionsAll highlightsAbout FernwehFAQPrivacy PolicyImprint
    ExploreTravel GuidesPlan a tripMy tripLast visited
    • Neighborhoods & highlights
    • Recommendations
    • Walking tours
    • Eat & drink
    • Food culture
    • Culture
    • Nightlife
    • Getting around
    • Accommodation
    • Plan trip
    • Nearby
    Dubai

    United Arab Emirates

    Dubai

    CityCultureArchitecture

    Dubai, the emirate's namesake city, lies on the Persian Gulf, straddling the Dubai Creek. The Creek's banks host old quarters Deira and Bur Dubai, with souks, wind-tower houses, and museums.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. United Arab Emirates
    7. Dubai Emirate
    9. Dubai
    Dubai, the emirate's namesake city, lies on the Persian Gulf, straddling the Dubai Creek. The Creek's banks host old quarters Deira and Bur Dubai, with souks, wind-tower houses, and museums. Along Sheikh Zayed Road are Downtown (with the Burj Khalifa), followed southwest by Dubai Marina and JBR. Metro, Tram, and Abras link the districts.

    Sights in Dubai

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Al Shindagha Museum
    Museum

    1Al Shindagha Museum

    The museum in the historic Al Shindagha district at the mouth of the Creek tells the story of Dubai and its port through restored houses. The complex includes the Perfume House, the former residence of perfumer Sheikha Shaikha bint Saeed Al Maktoum, with exhibits on Emirati fragrance culture, including an almost 3,000-year-old censer from Saruq Al Hadid.
    Open in Google Maps
    Gold Souk Deira
    Attraction

    2Gold Souk Deira

    In Deira's Gold Souk, hundreds of jewelry shops are lined up. The gold price follows the international daily rate; you can negotiate on the craftsmanship charge. Al Ras Metro Station on the Green Line is just a few minutes' walk away.
    Open in Google Maps
    Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
    Historic Landmark

    3Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

    The former Bastakiya Quarter on the Creek developed in the early 20th century as a residential quarter for merchants who named their quarter after the Bastak region in Persia; their houses were cooled by wind towers. Today, it bears the name of the neighboring Al-Fahidi Fort, and the restored houses host galleries, cafés, and the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. The Dubai Museum in the fort has been undergoing restoration since 2021; a reopening date was not yet set in autumn 2026.
    Open in Google Maps
    Spice Souk Deira
    Market

    4Spice Souk Deira

    A few minutes' walk south of the Gold Souk, traders in narrow alleys sell saffron, dried chilies, dates, and frankincense. From the nearby Abra Station Deira Old Souk, you can cross to Bur Dubai for 1 AED.
    Open in Google Maps
    Etihad Museum
    Museum

    5Etihad Museum

    The museum stands where the rulers sealed the founding of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971. The grounds include Union House, where the founding declaration was signed, and the former Jumeirah guesthouse.
    Open in Google Maps
    Jumeirah Mosque
    Mosque

    6Jumeirah Mosque

    Opened in 1979, the mosque was a gift from Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding leads daily tours of the building at 10 AM and 2 PM, except Fridays. No reservation needed; registration begins 30 minutes prior. Modest dress is required; women should bring a headscarf or borrow one on site.
    Open in Google Maps

    City walks in Dubai

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    From the Creek shore in Bur Dubai to the Souks of Deira

    This walk takes you from the Al Seef waterfront promenade through the Al Fahidi Windtower District to the Creek, crossing to Deira by Abra and continuing through the Spice and Gold Souks. Guided tours on this route last two to a good three hours. Bring cash for the crossing and it's best to set off in the late afternoon.

    Open in Google Maps
    Stops (5)

    Restaurants in Dubai

    1

    Arabian Tea House

    Since 1997, the café in Al Fahidi has served Emirati and Arabic cuisine in a leafy courtyard. It's known for its breakfast platters, with other locations in Jumeirah and Sharjah.
    Show on Google Maps
    2

    Ravi Restaurant (Satwa)

    The Pakistani restaurant in the Satwa district opened in 1978, initially cooking mainly for construction workers from South Asia; today, guests from all over the city dine here. Popular dishes include Chicken Tikka, Chicken Biryani, Dal, and fresh Naan.
    Show on Google Maps
    3

    Logma

    The eatery serves Emirati cuisine in a contemporary style. It is known for Luqaimat, fried dough balls, which are available here with date syrup, honey, or Nutella.
    Show on Google Maps
    4

    Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant

    Emirati restaurant in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide. Popular dishes include Lamb Saloona and Luqaimat, and the establishment also offers cooking classes, such as for Chicken Machboos.
    Show on Google Maps
    5

    Local House

    Restaurant in Al Bastakiya with an Emirati-inspired menu. It is known for its Camel Burger.
    Show on Google Maps

    Food and Drink

    In Dubai isst du emiratisch, persisch, pakistanisch, indisch und international. Emiratische Gerichte findest du vor allem in Lokalen rund um Al Fahidi und bei den Mahlzeiten des Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding.

    Machboos

    Spiced rice with chicken, lamb or fish, which gets its sour note from loomi, dried black lime. Rice and meat are cooked separately.

    Luqaimat

    Small fried dough balls with date syrup and sesame, often eaten in the evening with Arabic coffee.

    Balaleet

    Sweet and savory breakfast of vermicelli with saffron and cardamom, topped with an omelet. The Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi features it on their breakfast menu.

    Harees

    A porridge of cracked wheat and meat, traditionally served at weddings and during Ramadan.

    Karak chai

    Spiced milk tea, often served in Old Dubai with the thin flatbread regag.

    History and Culture

    It all started at the CreekIn 1833, members of the Bani Yas tribe under the Al Maktoum family settled at the mouth of the Creek. Pearl diving and a tax-free port for foreign merchants made Dubai a trading hub; around 1900, merchants from Bastak, Iran, built the quarter known today as Al Fahidi. The Al Fahidi Fort was built around 1787 and became the city's first museum in 1971; it has been closed for restoration since 2021.Discover Emirati CultureThe Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding is located in a restored house in Al Fahidi. Under the motto "Open Doors, Open Minds," it offers tours of the Jumeirah Mosque and Emirati meals in the courtyard of a wind-tower house, where hosts answer questions about religion and daily life.Birthplace of the EmiratesOn December 2, 1971, the rulers signed the declaration establishing the United Arab Emirates at Union House in Dubai. The Etihad Museum on the site tells this story.

    Nightlife

    1

    CÉ LA VI

    Sky-Bar, lounge, and modern Asian restaurant on the 54th floor of the Address Sky View hotel in Downtown, with direct views of the Burj Khalifa. A smart-casual dress code is customary.
    Show on Google Maps
    2

    Attiko

    Restaurant with a bar on the 31st floor of the W Dubai Mina Seyahi, known for the views over Palm Jumeirah at sunset.
    Show on Google Maps
    3

    Monkey Bar

    The bar at 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central at the Trade Centre is most famous for its Museum of the Future view.
    Show on Google Maps
    4

    ZETA Seventy Seven

    77th-floor rooftop at Address Beach Resort, JBR, with cocktails and city views from Ain Dubai to Palm Jumeirah.
    Show on Google Maps

    Traveling in Dubai

    Metro and TramRed Line: from Centrepoint (Rashidiya) via the airport, Deira, Downtown, Business Bay, and Dubai Marina; the Route 2020 extension leads to Expo City Dubai.Green Line: serves the Creek-side districts in Deira and Bur Dubai; change at Union and BurJuman.Tram: runs through Dubai Marina and JBR and connects with the Red Line stations Sobha Realty and DMCC at the Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Lake Towers stops.Operating Hours: The Metro generally runs from 5 AM until midnight, until 1 AM on Fridays, and from 8 AM on Sundays; different times apply on public holidays and during Ramadan.Nol Card and FaresMetro, Tram, and buses can only be paid for using the Nol Card, which is available at vending machines and counters in all Metro stations. Cash and credit cards are not accepted at the turnstiles.Fares are zone-based: A single journey within one zone costs 4 AED with a red paper ticket, across two zones 6 AED, and longer distances 8.50 AED (As of 2026).Abras Across the CreekThe wooden Abras run daily from 6 AM until midnight between the Bur Dubai Abra Station and the Deira Old Souk. The crossing costs 1 AED, payable in cash to the boat driver.

    Accommodations in Dubai

    Find perfect stay in Dubai

    Booking.com* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Agoda* (Affiliate link)
    Search Hotels
    Airbnb
    Vacation Rentals

    * Affiliate link: if you book through it, we earn a small commission. The price stays the same for you.

    Plan your trip to Dubai

    Save places, build a route and plan your city trip, all in one place.

    1. 1
      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
      1234

      Round trip

      12 days · 4 stops

      Saved

      Pick a route

      Pick a ready-made one or save places and plan your own.

      Open bookmarks
    2. 2

      Trip to Dubai

      Live
      • 1Al Shindagha Museum3 days
      • 2Gold Souk Deira4 days
      • 3Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood5 days
      Budget

      Plan your trip

      The planner sorts stops, days and budget. Plan together in real time.

      Start trip planning
    3. 3
      9:41 No signal
      Dubai
      Available offline

      Use it on the road

      Download the guide to your phone and use it on site, even offline.

    Nearby

    Dubai Emirate

    Dubai Emirate

    The Dubai Emirate is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf and comprises, in addition to the eponymous city, the exclave of Hatta in the Hajar Mountains. Approximately 4.8 million people live here (as of September 2026). Between the Old Town on Dubai Creek, the skyscrapers of Downtown, and the reservoirs of Hatta, there is approximately a ninety-minute drive.
    Sharjah Emirate

    Sharjah Emirate

    The Emirate of Sharjah is the third-largest of the United Arab Emirates and has coastlines on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Beyond the capital Sharjah, the emirate includes the Mleiha desert with the UNESCO World Heritage site Faya, and the east coast enclaves of Khor Fakkan, Kalba, and Dibba al-Hisn.
    Sharjah

    Sharjah

    Sharjah is the capital of the namesake emirate and is situated on the Persian Gulf, directly bordering Dubai. The city prides itself as a cultural hub of the Emirates: in 2019, it was UNESCO World Book Capital, and surrounding the restored old town, Heart of Sharjah, are museums and the buildings of the Sharjah Art Foundation. Alcohol is not served in the emirate, even in hotels.
    Ajman

    Ajman

    Ajman is the capital of the smallest emirate by area, situated on the Persian Gulf north of Sharjah. At its heart is a fort, presumably built in the late 18th century, now the Ajman Museum, just a few steps from the Corniche and Souks. On Ajman Creek is a dhow shipyard, and on the outskirts, the Al Zorah mangrove area.
    Ajman & Umm al-Qaiwain

    Ajman & Umm al-Qaiwain

    This region brings together the two smallest emirates: Ajman, the smallest in area at approximately 260 km², and Umm al-Qaiwain, the least populated. Both are located on the Persian Gulf north of Sharjah and offer forts with museums, mangroves, and quiet beaches.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Pexels, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI