Dubai/Deira
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Deira is the area of Dubai north of Dubai Creek and south of the Sharjah border. It is the traditional commercial center of Dubai and the Creek and its dhows were the historic mode of transport. Today Deira is split in two parts. There are the old souks (Gold and Spices) near the waterfront, and Dubai International Airport covers a major part of the area into the creek inland. Deira suffers a lot from traffic congestion as the bridges to Bur Dubai are at full capacity during the rush hour. In hidden backstreets the traditional life still takes place but it is not obvious to the tourist.Get in
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Both Red and Green lines of Dubai Metro connect Deira with Bur Dubai.
Deira is connected with Bur Dubai by five crossings over the Creek, namely Al Maktoum Bridge, Floating Bridge, Al Garhoud Bridge, Business Bay Crossing and Al Shindagha Tunnel. All the crossings charge the Salik road toll.
Small ferries called heritage abra cross the Creek from Bur Dubai. One route is from at the west end of the Textile Souk in Bur Dubai to near the Spice Souk in Deira. The other main route is from in the middle of the Textile Souk to Al Sabkha station, further up the Creek at Al Sabkha Rd in Deira. The trip costs 1 dirham, payable to the driver after the boat has left the station. Abras set off very regularly, and the service is available round-the-clock.
On the inner side of Dubai Creek, a motorized abra route was opened from (250m from Creek metro station) to Dubai Festival City water transport station, with a more modern style. These motorised abras is operated by RTA every 10 to 20 minutes from 7AM to midnight and costs 2 dirhams per person.
See
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Al Ahmadiya School and Heritage House
phone: +971 4 226 0286address: Al Ahmadiya St, Al RasBuilt in 1912, Al Ahmadiya School was Dubai's first school and has now been nicely restored. It would be a stretch to call the exhibits of old reed pens and diplomas fascinating, but they've tried pretty hard, and if nothing else, the air-con and clean toilets may come in handy. The attached heritage house is a traditional Emirati-style home built in the 1890s. -
Deira Clocktower
address: Abu Baker Al Siddiqe Rd 110 crossing Al Maktoum Rd 105A landmark of Deira and important as a monument built before the independence of UAE. -
Dhow Wharfage
address: Baniyas Rd, Rigga Al Buteen community 125The dhows ply the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, transporting goods between south and south-west Asia and east Africa. -
Mamzar Park
phone: +971 50 858 9897address: 104 Al Khaleej Rd, Al Mamzar communityYou can swim at Al Mamzar Beach or stroll in the park. Though less popular than other Dubai parks, it has its share of Dubai's greenery. Monday & Wednesday for ladies only. -
Dubai Municipality Museum
phone: +971 4 225 3312address: Old Baladiya St crossing Al Souk Al Kabeer St, Al Buteen community -
address: Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City, Festival BlvdPlays two different big water, fire and light shows: Stardancer and A Child's Dream. Have several world records.
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phone: +971 4 234 2342, +971 55 667 2447address: 28 St, Al Dhagaya community, P.O. Box 1086Highlight the contribution of women to UAE's economy, culture and politic for the independence in the 1960s and since. Life of great women and daily life of Emirati people. A exhibit is also dedicated to the famous Emirati female poet Ousha bint Khalifa Suwidi.
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address: 106 Naif Rd crossing 9A St, Naif community
Do
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Cinecity - Al Ghurair Centre
phone: +971 4 228 9898address: Al Ghurair City, Al Riqqah StPreviously Grand Cinemas, now Cinecity, is the largest cinema chain in the Middle East. It is a part of Novo Cinemas group. This 8 screen cinema complex including 14 anchor stores has 2 levels. -
VOX Deira City Centre
phone: +971 600 599905address: Deira City CentreVOX has 11 screens with various types of experiences for movie lovers. The immersive experience of DepthQ 3D technology, fully reclining seats, VIP seats, 20 meter screens and brightest and clearest pictures is their latest addition. -
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
phone: +971 (4) 222 7171address: Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, Bani Yas Rd, 476This leisure hub is an ideal destination for golfers. It provides wide-ranging set of services, floodlit par-3 course, modern golf academies and driving ranges. Visitors can enjoy a challenging game of golf, hire a private boat to enjoy the calm waters or take a swim. -
phone: +971 4 336 8407, +971 4 336 8409address: Pier 1 in Dhow Wharfage, Baniyas Rd, Rigga Al Buteen communityA 2-hour dhow cruise tour on a "5-star" dhow, along Dubai Creek with commentary in English.
Buy
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phone: +971 4 295 1010address: Banyias Rd, Alittihad Rd, Port Saeed communityBy far the most popular mall in Dubai. Debenhams, Virgin Megastore, Zara and other international high street brands. A multiplex cinema, and many restaurants and cafes. Also has a large "Arabian Treasures" souvenir and traditional textiles area. A new extension includes many more high-end boutiques and upmarket mall restaurants. A big Carrefour hypermarket sells just about everything and is nearly always very busy. There is a Sofitel hotel at one end of the centre, where there are bars and restaurants serving alcohol.
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phone: +971 4 425 4900 (management), +971 4 425 4999 (security/lost)address: Dubai Festival City, Festival Blvd, POBox 126027Has Dubai's only Ikea, since it relocated from City Centre, and a huge Plug-Ins electronic store. Also an ACE Hardware and an amazing mall that has 550 shops.
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address: Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Rd E311 crossing Al Rebat St, Mirdif communityA large mall with 500+ stores, over 80 restaurants and cafés and plenty of entertainment and recreation sites inside it.
Markets
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Gold Souk
address: 106 Sikkat Al Khail Rd, Al Ras communityNot a mall, but a historic market that has been a part of Dubai since the origin of Dubai itself. Located at the mouth of the creek, it dazzles people by selling gold in large quantities and with little visible security. A must visit for shoppers and sightseers. Most of the gold is 22ct quality and quite expensive - although even here the shopkeepers are prepared to bargain - and the craftsmanship can be remarkably detailed. The gold items are sold by weight with a "making charge" added on top to cover the workmanship. It pays therefore, to go shopping armed with the current gold price and a knowledge of the making charges in order to hone the bargaining process. Many outlets are part of chains that also have branches in malls, so are generally reliable. -
Spice Souk
address: 34 St, Al Ras communityAs above, not a mall, but a historic market that has been a part of Dubai since the origin of Dubai itself. Located at the mouth of the creek, it is not far from the Gold Souk, but has sadly declined a bit in recent years as supermarkets take over the spice trade. If you're actually shopping for spices, odds are you'll get better prices and quality with much less hassle at Carrefour. Both the Spice Souk and the Gold Souq are a rather hot and sweaty experience with limited air-conditioning, so wear appropriately cool, loose clothing if visiting in mid summer. Individual shops are air conditioned. Although regularly visited by tourists, none of the souks are considered a tourist area and as such modest dress should be worn to avoid causing offence or attracting unwanted attention. -
Fish Market
address: Al Mina Rd crossing Baniyas Rd, Deira CornicheA modern covered market where they sell various kind of fish and seafood, as well as fruits, vegetables, dates (and some kitchen utensils).
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Traditional Souq
address: Naif communitySouk with air-conditioning, nice decoration and good infrastructure, let say almost a souk almost a mall. 100 shops and 6,100 square-meters. Khalid Huriah Public Restaurant in the middle.
Eat
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Budget
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Yum!
phone: +971 4 222 7171address: Inter-Continental HotelA wonderful noodle bar located at the InterContinental Dubai. Well priced, with excellent food.
Mid-range
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Al Dawaar Revolving Restaurant
phone: +971 4 209 1100address: Hyatt RegencyServing an assortment of cuisines, the highlight of this beautiful restaurant is that it revolves, giving a nice tour of the city. -
phone: +971 4 232 9966address: Canal Walk, Dubai Festival City MallAuthentic Emirati cuisine, in the ambience of Dubai recreated from the 1960s.
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phone: +971 4 282 4040address: Le Meridien DubaiJapanese cuisine. Very high quality and very popular.
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phone: +971 4 295 6000address: Dubai Creek Golf ClubPart of the Creek Golf Clubhouse. The waterfront restaurant right on Dubai Creek is very popular with residents.
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Al Bait Alqadeem Restaurant & Cafe
phone: +971 4 225 6111, +971 55 477 8107address: Al Ahmadiya St crossing 15a St, Al Ras, POBox 30304Emirati cuisine in a Emirati traditional house. -
Floating Restaurants
address: Baniyas Rd, Al Sabkha & Al Rigga & Rigga Al Buteen communitiesTens of dhows propose a diner during a 2-hour cruise on the creek.
Splurge
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phone: +971 4 607 7977address: JW Marriott HotelThis is the Marriott's signature restaurant. Highly popular with Dubai residents.
Drink
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Filli Cafeteria
address: Al MamzarProbably the most popular tea spots in town, especially Filli, who serves over 4,000 cups a day. Try the zaffrani chai (milk tea with saffron) or the doodh kadak (strong milk tea). The Edge Pool & BarSmall bar but wonderful views especially at sunset.
X ClubRussia themed bar
Sleep
Budget
Invisible to the net and the guidebooks, there's several basic cheap places around the souk area, a few streets back from the creek.-
phone: +971 4 2988151 (reservation), +971 4 2988161 (reception)address: 39 Al Nahda RdReception 24/7. Pool, football field, chill-out garden, A/C in the room, small bar fridge. It's located next to a mosque so morning prayers may wake you. Stadium metro station and bus stop just 100 m from hostel, Lulu Hyper Market shopping center and supermarket nearby. Free safety deposit boxes (hang on to your key as they have stiff $200 replacement fee). Clean rooms but unhelpful staff. You can walk there from Terminal 2. When you get out walk straight along 16th St to the end. It takes around 10 min. From terminal 1 or 3 you can take the metro to Union and transfer to Green Line (just take a train on the other side of the platform) to Stadium station (zone 1 fare, 2 AED). A taxi from terminal 1 or 3 costs around 40 AED. It is a branch of the UAE YHA, and only hostel in Dubai; thus booked up weeks ahead. WiFi cost extra 10 AED.
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Gulf Pearl Hotel
phone: +971 4 2728333address: Al Baraha St, Omar al Khattab RdRooms from 158 AED. -
phone: +971-4-2276700address: Sabakha St 115, DeiraRooms from 300 AED or US$80.
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Niawara Guest House
phone: +971 4-2265935address: Al Ras StreetProbably one of the cheapest place in town -
Alkhayam Hotel
phone: +971 (4) 2264211address: Sikkat Al Khali Street, PO box 88249free wifi, nice cafe -
Qasr Al Seyaha Hotel
phone: +971 4 2255855address: PO box 21457Another cheapy in the souk area -
phone: +971 4 2262322address: PO box 8814, Al Ahmadea Rd, Al Ras Area
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Galaxy Plaza
phone: +971 4 2257444address: PO box 32236, Al Ras Street2 star place, a step up from the
Mid-range
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phone: +971 4 295 6666address: near Clock Tower roundaboutRooms from US$152.
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phone: +971 4 297-0808address: Al Riqqa StRooms start at 350 dhs, including breakfast.
Splurge
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phone: +971 4 209 1234address: Deira Corniche414 rooms and suites with views of the Persian Gulf. Host to Al Dawaar, Dubai's only revolving restaurant.
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InterContinental Dubai Festival City
phone: +971 4 7011111498 rooms over 36 floors with views of the Dubai Creek and a 3800 sq m event centre. Attached to the Festival Centre shopping mall. -
InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City
phone: +971 4 7013333Offers one, two and three-bedroom serviced suites with a choice between Creek and city views. Available for short or long stays. -
phone: +971 4 602 1234Waterfront location next to the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.
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Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek
phone: +971 4 222 7171address: Bani Yas Road - 476 Dubai -
phone: +971 4 223-2222address: PO Box 42211Near Naif Square Bazaar.