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Community in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates
Photo: Ahmedn97, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
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Built 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.
Dubai Clocktower
A landmark of Deira and important as a monument built before the independence of UAE.
The dhows ply the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, transporting goods between south and south-west Asia and east Africa.
You 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 women only.
Highlight 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. An exhibit is also dedicated to the famous Emirati female poet Ousha bint Khalifa Suwidi.
Check Live Gold Prices
Before purchasing gold in Dubai’s famous Gold Souk, it's always best to check the current live gold prices. Gold prices fluctuate daily due to global market trends. Visit [GoldRateUAE](https://goldrateuae.ae/) to get the latest price updates. Prices here are available for various gold types including 22K, 24K, and 18K gold.
formerly the Grand Cinemas
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 has 11 screens with various types of experiences for movie lovers. The immersive experience of DepthQ 3D technology, fully reclining seats, VIP seats, 20-m screens and brightest and clearest pictures is their latest addition.
This 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.
A 2-hour dhow cruise tour on a "5-star" dhow, along Dubai Creek with commentary in English.
Brand new waterpark, as of April 2021.
An Indian restaurant
A traditional restaurant
East African cuisine
An Indian Restaurant
Serving an assortment of cuisines, the highlight of this beautiful restaurant is that it revolves, giving a nice tour of the city.
Authentic Emirati cuisine, in the ambience of Dubai recreated from the 1960s.
Japanese cuisine. Very high quality and very popular.
Part of the Creek Golf Clubhouse. The waterfront restaurant right on Dubai Creek is very popular with residents.
Emirati cuisine in an Emirati traditional house.
Tens of dhows propose a diner during a 2-hour cruise on the creek.
This is the Marriott's signature restaurant. Very popular with Dubai residents.
Probably 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).
Small bar but wonderful views especially at sunset.
Russia-themed bar.
Reception 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 US$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 dirhams). A taxi from terminal 1 or 3 costs around 40 dirhams. It is a branch of the UAE YHA, and only hostel in Dubai; thus booked up weeks ahead. WiFi cost extra 10 dirhams.
Rooms from 158 dirhams
Rooms from 300 dirhams or US$80.
Probably one of the cheapest places in town.
free wifi, nice cafe
Another cheapy in the souk area
2-star place, a step up from the under-200-dirham places.
Rooms from US$152.
Rooms start at 350 dirhams, including breakfast.
414 rooms and suites with views of the Persian Gulf. Host to Al Dawaar, Dubai's only revolving restaurant.
Offers one-, two- and three-bedroom serviced suites with a choice between Creek and city views. Available for short or long stays.
This Arabian-themed hotel offers free Wireless Internet. It is a 5-star hotel with roof top swimming pool, meeting rooms, bars, private beach club, spa, kids club and fitness facilities. There are 396 spacious rooms with Moroccan styles with pleasing colors.
Waterfront location next to the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.
Near Naif Square Bazaar.
By 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.
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 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.
Also not a mall, but a historic market that has been a part of Dubai since the city's origin. Located at the mouth of the creek, it is not far from the Gold Souk, but declined a bit in the 2010s as supermarkets take over the spice trade. If you're 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.
A modern covered market where they sell various kind of fish and seafood, as well as fruits, vegetables, dates (and some kitchen utensils). Its colorful variety of fresh fish is a remarkable sight and fishermen offer their tasty goods for sale and scatter ice to protect seafood from scorching hot weather.
Souk 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.
Al Romaizan is one of the leading gold and jewellery companies in the GCC. Headquartered in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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