Bur Dubai

Bur Dubai is in essence downtown Dubai. It stretches from the southern side of Dubai Creek to 2nd of December St or D 73 Rd, formerly Al Dhiyafa Rd. It has experienced the most development in the past decade. Jumeirah is to the south, and Deira to the north, across the creek.

Get in

Bur Dubai and rest of Dubai is connected to Deira 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.

The Metro Green and Red Lines run through Bur Dubai, as does Sheikh Zayed Rd.

Small ferries called heritage abra cross the creek from Deira. One route is from 1 Deira Old Souk Station near the Spice Souk in Deira to Dur Dunai Station the west end of the Textile Souk in Bur Dubai. The other main route is from 2 Al Sabkha Station, further up the creek at Al Sabkha Rd in Deira, to Dubai Old Souk Station in the middle of the Textile Souk. 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 modern motorized abra route was opened from 3 Al Jaddaf Marine Transport Station (250m from Creek metro station) to 4 Dubai Festival City Marine Station. These motorized abras are operated by RTA every 10 to 20 minutes from 7AM to midnight and costs 2 dirhams per person. It is recommended not to travel by taxis, as other public transportation modes are much affordable.

See

Historical town of Al Bastakiya

• 1 Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (Bastakiya District), Al Fahidi (19th) St crossing ManKhool Rd, north-east of Al Souk Al Kabeer community (east of Dubai Museum), ☏ +971 4 515 5000. One of the last remaining pockets of Old Dubai, home to many reconstructed buildings in the traditional style. While information on the structures is slim here (see the museum in preference), the atmosphere is very evocative and there are plenty of delightful art galleries and cafes to explore. Free of charge.  
  • Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, Al Musalla Rd, ☏ +971 4 353 6666. If you want to learn and understand the customs and traditions of UAE, this is the best place to go. The Centre hosts cultural meals for between 70 and 95 AED, with discussion of UAE culture, customs and religion. They run walking tours through the Bastakiya district for 60 minutes (35 AED) and 90 minutes (55 AED), starting at either 9 or 10:30AM daily except Friday. 
• 2 Creek Park, Al Riyadh St, Umm Hurair 2 (between Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud Bridges, 15 min from Oud Metha metro station), ☏ +971 50 856 5101. Su–W 8AM–10PM, Th–Sa 8AM–11PM. A great place to hang out in the evening when the park is visited by people of different nationalities, all looking for calm place to enjoy the time. It has all the facilities of a modern park and is one of the best parks in Dubai. The cable car is closed. 5 dirham. (updated Apr 2017)
• 3 Dubai Dolphinarium, Creek Park gate 1, ☏ +971 4 336 9773, 800 365 7446 (domestic). Several showtimes from 11AM to 7PM. The only indoor dolphinarium in the Middle East offers live shows of dolphins and seals. Swim with Dolphins is possible. Dolphin show 120–140 dirham/adult, 50–100 dirham/child. (updated Apr 2017)
• 4 Dubai Museum, 11c Al Ibn Abi Talib St and 19 Al Fahidi St, Al Souk Al Kabeer community, ☏ +971 4 353 1862, dubai.museum@dubaiculture.ae. Sa-Th 8:30AM–8:30PM, F 2PM–8:30PM. A must-see for anyone interested in the social history of the Emirate (and indeed the country). Located in and under al-Fahidi fort. The fort itself has a few examples of the traditional reed houses and other artifacts, but isn't much to look at. The more interesting parts are the modern galleries beneath the fort, showcasing Dubai's history using the latest technology and culminating in a reconstructed souq from the pearling days, complete with authentic sights and sounds. It is quite fascinating to see the speed at which the transition from poor pearling village to modern metropolis occurred. Admission 3 dirham. (updated Apr 2017)
• 5 Grand Mosque, Ali bin Ali Taleb (11C) St, Al Souk Al Kabeer community (facing Dubai Museum/Al Fahidi Fort). Its large minaret is the imposing feature of this large mosque. It is popular for being quite close to a Hindu temple and one can see followers of both Islam and Hinduism gathering at the same place for prayers. (updated May 2017)
• 6 Heritage Village, Shindagha District, (near the mouth of the creek). Home to the open museums of the Heritage and Diving Villages, and the houses of the late Sheikhs Saeed Al-Maktoum and Juma Al-Maktoum. 
• 7 Iranian mosque, Ali bin Abi Taleb (11C) St, Al Souk Al Kabeer community (not far from 34th St). A very colourful and attractive tiled mosque; quite a contrast to the other much more plainly decorated mosques. Can be viewed from a carparking area off the north (creek) side of the street. (updated May 2017)
• 8 Sheikh Obaid bin Thani House, ☏ +971 4 39 33 240. a historic building home to royal family members built in 1916 and now converted into a museum. It provides good glimpse to old infrastructure of Dubai. 
• 9 Saeed Al Maktoum House, along the Dubai Creek in Al Shindagha. Sa-Th: 8:00-20:30; Fr: 15:30-21:30; Ramadan Sa-Th: 09:00-17:00 Fr: 14:00-17:00. Another very historic building built in 1894 now converted into a museum and contains artefacts and images of the old town of Dubai. It was the residence of the Saeed bin Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum, the former ruler of Dubai. 
• 10 Crossroad of Civilization Museum, Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum Home, Al Mina Rd, Shindagha Heritage area, POBox 46298, ☏ +971 4 393 4440, fax: +971 4 393 0069, info@themuseum.ae. Su-Th 9AM–5PM, closed on Friday. Museum includes a lot of artefacts and old books, including a Gutenberg Bible and a curtain of the door of Kaaba from 1543 AD. 30 dirham for 3 museums. (updated Apr 2017)
  • 11 Old Weapons Museum (Inbetween the Crossroad of Civilization museum and House of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum). Large collection of swords, daggers, riffles, from several centuries. 30 dirahm for 3 museums. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Manuscript, Old Book and Print Museum (Colocated with Old Weapons Museum). 30 dirham for 3 museums. (updated Apr 2017)
• 12 Zabeel Park, Sheik Khalifa Bin Zayed St and Sheik Rashid Rd, Al Kefaf community (near Al Jafiliya metro station), ☏ +971 50 725 2994. Su–W 8AM 10PM, Th–Sa 8AM 11PM. The best and most popular park of town, it gives a remarkable glimpse of the desert and hot Dubai. 5 dirham.  
  • 13 Dubai Frame, Zabeel Park Jogging Track, ☏ +971 4 208 7444. Daily 09:00-21:00. Two towers of 150 m height connected by a 100-m² bridge, the Dubai Frame has a museum and gallery where you can see the growth of Dubai from a simple fishing village to the ultra-modern city it is today with the use of photos and advanced technology. After visiting the museum, you take the elevator to the bridge to get a view of the city. Adult 49 AED, child (3-12) 39 AED. (updated Jan 2021)
  • 14 Dinausaur Park & Glow Garden Park (Dubai Garden Glow), Zabeel Park Gate 6 & 7 (can be reached from other gates of Zabeel Park via a bridge), ☏ +971 56 446 7842. Sa–W 4PM–noon, Th–F 4PM-1AM. 60 dirham per person. (updated Apr 2017)

Do

• Sailing at Wind Rises: Lessons are AED 300 (weekdays) or AED 380 (weekends).
• 1 Dubai Ferry trip, Al Ghubaiba Marine Transport Station, Al Ghubaiba Rd, Al Shindagha community (250m from Al Ghubaiba metro station). 3PM, 5PM. The Dubai Ferry makes a sightseeing circular trip to Jumeirah Beach (deep sea side) or to the Floating Bridge (toward the creek). There are also a one way trips towards Dubai Marina at 1pm and 6pm (duration: 2 hours). 50 dirhams/person in regular, 75 dirhams/person in gold class. (updated Jan 2023)

Buy

Markets

• 1 Dubai Textile Souk (Old Textile Souk), between the creek and Ali Bin Abi Taleb (11C) St, Al Souk Al Kabeer community. A lot of shops selling scarves and keffiyeh. A few of the shopkeepers can be quite forceful in trying to get you in to their shop. (updated Apr 2017)

Two other historic markets, Spice Souk and Gold Souk, are located in Deira just on the other bank of the creek, reachable via heritage abra ferries for 2 dirham.

Malls

• 2 BurJuman, Sheikh Ralifa Rd, Al Mankhool community, ☏ +971 4 352 0222, +971 4 409 3110 (management), +971 4 409 3120 (security), info@burjuman.com. Sa-W 10AM-10PM, Th-F 10AM-11PM. A 4-floor shopping mall housing more than 300 stores. It is one of the oldest, and still one of the largest, malls in Dubai, but has become less popular. (updated May 2017)
• 3 Computer Plaza @ Al-Ain Centre, Mankhool Rd, Al Mankhool community (200m from Al Fahidi metro station, along from the Ramada Hotel, heading towards the creek). Sa–Th 10AM–10PM, F 2PM–10PM. A mall specializing in computers, laptops, computer parts and computer add-ons like monitors, VoIP phones, hard drives, etc. Prices aren't particularly low, even after haggling, and choices are limited (for example very few shops sell AMD hardware). There used to be an internet cafe here and it may return in 2014. Other malls in this area are also good for computers and computer equipment. (updated May 2017)
• 4 Lamcy Plaza, Sheikh Rashid Rd, Oud Metha community, ☏ +971 4 335 9999, fax: +971 4 335 9996, lamcy.info@lalsgroup.com. Sa–W 10AM–11PM, Th–F 10AM–midnight. A 3 story shopping mall housing more than 150 stores. One of the oldest malls.  
• 5 Wafi Mall & Khan Murjan Souk, Sheikh Rashid Rd, Oud Metha Rd, Umm Hurair 2 community, POBox 721 (600m from Dubai Healtcare City metro station), ☏ +971 4 324 4555, +971 4 324 5454, customerservice@wafi.com. Sa–W 10AM–10PM, Th–F 10AM–midnight. Includes Marks & Spencer, Goodies. Focus is almost entirely on luxury brands, jewellery and expensive boutiques. Many upmarket restaurants and bars, many of which serve alcohol. A luxury spa is attached to the complex. The Egypt-themed architecture, which includes quite beautiful stained-glass pyramids, is worth seeing. (updated May 2017)

Eat

Deira skyline from Bur Dubai

• Gharana, Sheikh Zayed Road (Al Barsha), ☏ +971 4 323 4333, restaurants@hialbarsha.com. 7PM-11:30PM. Gharana an Indian Restaurant in Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha hotel brings you flavors of various spices and herbs with live entertainment. 

Budget

• Basta Art Cafe, Bastakiya, ☏ +971 4 3535071. Set in a lovely garden courtyard in a restored house. Great place to take a breather with a cold drink and write some postcards. The sandwiches-and-salads menu is aimed squarely at tourists, but if you are sick of kebabs, they will cater to your salmon-avocado wrap and mango smoothie cravings. The "Basta Special" drink of mint and lemon is also excellent. 50 dhs. 
• Gazebo, Al Mankhool Rd, Kuwait St, near Sharaf DG, opposite Oman Insurance Company, ☏ +971 4 3598555, +971 4 3599712, fax: +971 4 3599713. noon-midnight. Very nice and warm welcome given by the waiters. Food as good too. Not so expensive when compared to the quality of food. 35 AED per person. 
• Ravi Restaurant, two locations: Satwa roundabout; and near Mussala Tower, ☏ +971 4 3315353. A Pakistani restaurant that provides cheap Pakistani & Indian food. Good for anyone with a spicy tooth. 20-25 AED per person for a good meal. 
• Student Biryani, Kuwait St, Al Karama, ☏ +971 4 3369992, fax: +971 4 3666649. A Pakistani restaurant serving the country's most popular biryani. About 100 AED. 
• 1 Local House, House 51, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, 19 Al Fahidi St, Al Souk Al Kabeer community (near Al Fahidi roundabout, opp Al Mussallah Post Office, camel statue at the entrance), ☏ +971 4 386 2040, +971 55 190 4330, info@localhousedubai.com. Emirati cuisine featuring camel meats and camel milkshakes in a traditional Dubai house. Camel cheese burger for 45 dirham. (updated Apr 2017)
• 2 Barjeel Al Arab Restaurant, Barjeel Heritage Guest house, walk near Al Ghubaiba Rd, Al Shindagha community (near Al Ghubaiba Marine Transport Station, 250 m from Al Ghubaiba metro station), ☏ +971 4 354 4424. Breakfast: 7AM–10AM daily, Dinner: noon–11:35PM daily. Emirati traditional cuisine, facing the creek's mouth. (updated May 2017)

Mid-range

• Al Haj Bundu Khan, Lamcy Plaza, Oud Metha, ☏ +971 4 3709881. Indian and Pakistani food. About 100 AED. 
• Pars Iranian Kitchen, Shk Zayed Rd (in the residential area of Diyafah Rd next to the Rydges Plaza Hotel), ☏ +971 4 398 4000. This is an open air Iranian restaurant where one can sit in traditional machans (large bed-like seating) and enjoy a fine Iranian meal. The speciality is the mixed grill which is served with live coal. After the meal, you may smoke a traditional sheesha pipe. No alcohol served. Around 150 dhs per person. 
• Wafi Gourmet, Wafi Mall, Oud Metha, ☏ +971 4 324 4433. Excellent Lebanese cuisine and ambience. In the cooler months the outdoor verandah is a pleasure. No alcohol served. About 100 AED. 
• Yakitori House, Century Hotel, Khalid Bin Walid St, Bur Dubai, ☏ +971 4 205 7333. Japanese cuisine, very popular with the Japanese expat community. 

Splurge

• Asha's, Wafi Centre, ☏ +971 4 324 0000. Indian cuisine. Run by Asha Bosle. Good food but a little expensive 
• Manhattan Grill, Grand Hyatt Dubai, ☏ +971 4 317 2221. Fine dining restaurant with New York-inspired cuisine, specialising in steak. A suitable venue for romantic dinners and family gatherings. 30-300 AED. 

Drink

• 1 Barrels Pub, Majestic Hotel Tower, ☏ +971 4 359 8888. It is a bar is a clean, quiet and bright venue with large variates of snacks options. Every wall is mounted with screen playing number of sports games. The interiors looks good with polished timber tables and benches all around and wall cladding. 
• 2 Bollywood Café, D 79, Regent Palace Hotel, ☏ +971 4 396 3888. 9.30pm-2am. Excellent DJ, Live music and Indian food. It is a Bollywood-themed glamorous bar and nightlife with elegant to casual laid backs and pleasant musical twists, mostly Indian music. 
• 3 Chill Rooftop Lounge, Royal Ascot Hotel, ☏ +971 4 355 8500. 12:00-02:00. Dance floor with excellent DJ. It is an expansive rooftop venue painted in pink surrounded with fake grass. An outdoor seating place with good food. 
• 4 Marine's Club, Seaview Hotel, ☏ +971 4 355 8080. A lively bar and nightclub with 80s music most of the time. It is a budget friendly venue with great service and superb bouncers. 

Sleep

Mid-range

• 1 Ascot Hotel, Khalid bin Al Waleed Rd, ☏ +971 4 3520900, fax: +971 4 3529819, info@ascothoteldubai.com. Has Russian, Irish and Thai themed restaurants. Rooms from AED $180. 

Splurge

• 2 Grand Hyatt Dubai (by Dubai Creek), ☏ +971 4 317 1234, reservations.grandhyattdubai@hyattintl.com. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 15:00. A resort style hotel with extensive conference facilities and 13 restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world.  
• 3 Raffles Dubai, Sheikh Rashid Rd (next to Wafi Shopping Centres), ☏ +971 4 324-8888, bookus.dubai@raffles.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 3PM. Attached to Wafi Mall. Egyptian themed.  

Connect

There are a number of Internet cafes on Al Musalla Rd/Al Mankhool Rd, including one at 38 Al Musalla Rd and one on the corner of 41st St (10 AED per hour, minimum 1 hour).