Located on the west side of Dubai Creek, Bur Dubai is distinguished by its history.
The city may not be as sophisticated as the new cantons, but its streets reflect a community spirit rarely found elsewhere.
I take you through the narrow streets of Bur Dubai.
Bur Dubai: article summary
What to do in Bur Dubai
The luxurious region of Bur Dubai offers many attractions to visit and introduces you to the country's cosmopolitan atmosphere and traditional colonial origins. If you like history, there are many things to do in this part of town.
Visit the Bastakia district
The first thing I recommend you do in Bur Dubai is visit one of Dubai's oldest neighborhoods. This one was built in the XIXᵉ century by the Persians. Tourists can stroll through the narrow streets and admire several restored buildings. On site, you'll discover the wind towers, an ingenious creation that functioned as a ventilation system.
The Dubai Museum
Built in 1799, the Dubai Museum strives to immerse tourists in the city's culture and heritage. The exhibition offers visitors the chance to witness the radical transformation of a desert into a thriving metropolis.
The fort in which the museum is located boasts a number of traditional reed houses and other artifacts. In addition, the most interesting parts are the modern galleries presenting the history of Dubai.
Bur Dubai: the historic Al Fahidi district
Al Fahidi is one of the last remaining traces of old Dubai. It is home to many reconstructed buildings that reflect the traditional style. Here, you have the chance to enjoy a unique atmosphere and explore local art galleries and cafés.
Sheikh Mohammed Center
If you want to learn more about the culture and traditions of the United Arab Emirates, you need to visit the Sheikh Mohammed Centre. Take advantage of this cultural escape to explore UAE customs and religion. On-site, you can also enjoy a snack for a small fee. The cost is just 70 to 95 AED (about €20) per person for your meal.
The Dubai Delphinarium
The only dolphinarium in the Middle East, the Dubai dolphinarium presents several shows every hour. Here, you can also swimming with dolphins. As far as prices are concerned, you should expect to pay :
- 120 to 140 dirhams per adult (about €38)
- 50 to 100 dirhams per child (approx. €27)
The venue opens :
- every day 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Heritage Village
The Heritage Village is home to the open museums of the Heritage Villages. You can also find the homes of the late Sheikhs Saeed Al-Maktoum and Juma Al-Maktoum. A must-see when you visit Bur Dubai!
Bur Dubai: Saeed Al Maktoum's house
Built in 1894, the Saeed Al Maktoum House is another of Dubai's historic buildings. Once the residence of Saeed bin Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum, the former ruler of Dubai, the House is now transformed into a museum containing relics and images of the old city of Dubai.
The best months to visit Bur Dubai
There are perfect months to visit Bur Dubai. So that you can decide on the best month to visit this neighborhood, let's do a quick overview.
December to February
I strongly recommend visit Bur Dubai during these months. The average temperature is between 22 and 27°C. between December and February.
March to May
Temperatures during these months average between 27 and 40°C. Rains are rare between March and May. What's more, these are the months least frequented by tourists. So, if you're looking for a bit of peace and quiet to visit the city, I recommend that you visit Bur Dubai between March and May.
September to November
The tourism sector is the busiest during these months. So expect higher hotel and accommodation costs. Temperatures average between 28 and 41°C. If you wish to visit Bur Dubai during the summer or between September and November, I'd advise you to opt for indoor activities to get the most out of the city.
How to get to Bur Dubai
Bur Dubai is one of Dubai's most beautiful districts. To get there, there are many means of transport available.
Taking a cab
It's easy to find a cab that will take you directly to Bur Dubai from downtown Dubai. an average time of 15 to 20 minutes. Total cost of cab journey will cost you around AED 45 (€12).
Choose your bus
If you would like to visit Bur Dubai, you can also take the Skybus on line 5. The bus runs every 30 minutes. So you don't have to worry about waiting times. The Sky bus on line 5. More economical, the costs only AED 15 (about €4) per person!
Bur Dubaï is a place I particularly recommend if you're visiting Dubai. Here, you can enjoy and delve deep into the city's history.
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