Neighbourhood · Dubai

Old Dubai

Deira and Bur Dubai face each other across Dubai Creek, and Visit Dubai calls Bur Dubai the oldest part of the city. Deira has the Gold Souk, the Spice Souk and the Perfume Souk.

Best for history-led trips · anyone who wants the souks and the Creek on the doorstep · travellers happy in a three-star

Wrong for beach-focused travellers; anyone whose Dubai is the skyline.

From Where to Stay in Dubai 2026: A Neighbourhood-by-Neighbourhood Guide.

Where to stay in Old Dubai

All of Dubai

  • Citorah PickHotel · Old Dubai

    XVA Art Hotel

    Citorah says A boutique hotel with 15 individually designed rooms and suites, in the former home of the Seddiqi family, in the heart of Al Fahidi.

  • Citorah PickHotel · Old Dubai

    Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa

    Citorah says A four-star in Bur Dubai, opposite Al Fahidi Fort, home of the Dubai Museum, which has been closed for restoration since 2021.

  • Citorah PickHotel · Old Dubai

    Hyatt Regency Dubai

    Citorah says A Deira landmark near the corniche, known for its revolving restaurant, Al Dawaar. Visit Dubai calls it one of Dubai’s most established hotels.

Where to eat in Old Dubai

All of Dubai

  • Citorah PickMarket · Old Dubai

    Spice Souk

    Citorah says The Spice Souk is a short walk from the abra station, and the Gold Souk is near it. Go to look, and to haggle: Visit Dubai’s advice is to “engage in some friendly bartering”, and to pay in cash, because shops often charge extra for credit cards.

  • Citorah PickMarket · Old Dubai

    Gold Souk

    Citorah says At the Gold Souk, buy in the shops, not from street sellers: every jewellery shop there has to follow strict government regulations, Visit Dubai says.

Things to do in Old Dubai

All of Dubai

  • Citorah PickSight · Old Dubai

    Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

    Citorah says Its wind-tower houses, alleys and squares reflect the way people lived in Dubai from the mid-19th century to the 1970s, according to Dubai Culture.

  • Citorah PickSight · Old Dubai

    Al Seef

    Citorah says Close to Al Fahidi, Al Seef is a redeveloped creekside district that Visit Dubai calls one of Bur Dubai’s culinary hotspots, with views over the water.

  • Citorah PickExperience · Old Dubai

    Abras

    Citorah says The traditional wooden boats cross Dubai Creek between Bur Dubai and Deira Old Souq, and between Dubai Old Souq and Al Sabkha, for AED 1, paid in cash.

Other neighbourhoods

All neighbourhoods

  • Neighbourhood · 13 places

    Downtown Dubai

    Downtown Dubai is a purpose-built neighbourhood around three of the city’s best-known sights: the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and The Dubai Fountain. It’s the easiest first-trip base.

    Best for first-timers · short trips · mall shoppers

  • Neighbourhood · 10 places

    Dubai Marina / JBR

    Dubai Marina is a high-rise district around a waterway, “a waterfront city” in Visit Dubai’s words. Marina Walk, a pedestrian promenade, runs 7 km along both sides of the marina. JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) is right next door, on the beach.

    Best for longer stays (4+ nights) · beach-and-walking trips · couples who’d rather not take taxis everywhere

  • Neighbourhood · 14 places

    Palm Jumeirah

    A Palm stay is a resort holiday. You’ll use your hotel’s beach and pools, and probably eat at its restaurants, with a few trips into the city.

    Best for pure beach-and-resort holidays · honeymoons · families

  • Neighbourhood · 10 places

    DIFC

    DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) is the city’s financial district, alongside Sheikh Zayed Road, from Financial Centre Road north to the Trade Centre area. Visit Dubai says it may be the neighbourhood with the highest concentration of award-winning restaurants in Dubai.

    Best for foodies · business travel · couples on a restaurant-led trip

  • Neighbourhood · 4 places

    Business Bay

    Business Bay is one of Dubai’s newest neighbourhoods, and still growing fast. It sits next door to Downtown, on the landward side of Sheikh Zayed Road, and is mainly high-rise towers.

    Best for travellers who want a central base next to Downtown · longer stays · business travel

  • Neighbourhood · 9 places

    Jumeirah

    Jumeirah is Dubai’s beach district. Its public beaches, Kite Beach, Sunset Beach and Nessnass Beach (also called Jumeirah Open Beach), are free.

    Best for returning visitors · couples · families wanting beaches without the Marina’s density

Plan the trip

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