Al Fahidi district
Al Fahidi
25.2637, 55.2998 A historic quarter with wind towers, narrow lanes, museums and coffee houses.
About the district
Al Fahidi is one of the oldest surviving quarters of Dubai, located in Bur Dubai by the creek. It's a maze of narrow lanes with traditional houses and characteristic wind towers (barjeel) — an old system of natural air conditioning.
Today the restored buildings house museums, art galleries, craft workshops and atmospheric coffee houses. Al Fahidi is the best place to get a feel for what Dubai was like before the age of skyscrapers.
Al Fahidi is a place where time seems to have stopped: the sand-coloured houses, wind towers and the silence of the lanes stand in sharp contrast to the skyscrapers across the creek. It's pleasant to wander slowly, drop into the galleries and sip cardamom coffee in the shaded courtyard of the Arabian Tea House.
District photos
Фото: Unsplash
Who the district suits
Lovers of history, photography and unhurried walks — old Dubai without skyscrapers.
+ Pros
- ✓Authentic wind towers and lanes
- ✓Museums and craft galleries
- ✓Atmospheric coffee houses
- ✓The creek and the abra crossing nearby
− Cons
- •A rather small quarter
- •Hot in the lanes during the day
- •Few homes and hotels
- •Quiet in the evenings
How much Al Fahidi costs
Price benchmarks — from a cup of coffee to renting a home — to estimate your district budget.
Prices are approximate and depend on season and conditions — verify before your trip.
District on the map
Interactive satellite map — zoom and pan to explore the area.
District infrastructure
Transport access
Things to do in the district
Wind towers
Barjeel — an old system of natural cooling
Coffee museum
The history of Arabic coffee and tastings
Craft galleries
Workshops and art spaces in old houses
Arabian Tea House
Emirati cuisine in a green courtyard
Walk to the creek
Abra crossing to Deira for ~1 AED
Where to stay
XVA Art Hotel
BoutiqueA small hotel in a historic house with a gallery
Bur Dubai hotels
NearbyWithin walking distance of the quarter
Budget hotels by the creek
BudgetAffordable lodging in the old town
Where to eat
Arabian Tea House
Emirati cuisine and breakfasts in the courtyard
XVA Café
Vegetarian café in an art house
Coffee houses of the quarter
Arabic coffee and Eastern sweets
Notable places nearby
Culture Квартал Аль-Фахиди
Al Fahidi Historical NeighbourhoodСтарейший сохранившийся квартал Дубая с лабиринтом узких улочек, домами из коралла и глины и характерными ветроуловителями (барджиль).
Tip: Приходите рано утром или ближе к закату — днём в узких переулках жарко и почти нет тени.
Entertainment Museum of Illusions
Museum of IllusionsИнтерактивный музей оптических иллюзий и головоломок в историческом районе Аль-Сиф у Дубайской бухты.
Tip: Берите телефон или камеру — почти все экспонаты созданы для забавных фото.
Culture Spice Souk
Spice SoukA colourful spice market in Deira with saffron, tea, incense, nuts and dried fruit.
Tip: Taste before you buy and haggle — it is perfectly normal here.
Culture Gold Souk
Gold SoukA famous gold market in Deira with hundreds of jewellery shops, where haggling is the norm.
Tip: The price is made up of the weight of the metal plus the workmanship — haggle, the first price is always inflated.
Government institutions nearby
Consulates, migration centres, police and city authorities closest to Al Fahidi.
Related articles
Frequently asked questions about Al Fahidi district
What are the wind towers in Al Fahidi?+
Barjeel — traditional wind-catcher towers that channelled cool air into the houses. It's an old method of air conditioning.
What is there to do in the Al Fahidi quarter?+
Wander the lanes, visit the museums and galleries, taste coffee and learn about the history of old Dubai.
How do I get to Al Fahidi?+
The nearest metro station is Al Fahidi on the green line; there are also abra jetties across the creek nearby.