7 Best Things to Do in Deira Quartier in Dubai

Deira is one of the primeval areas of Dubai. It developed around the banks of the Creek. Historically, it has been the commercial centre of Dubai, although the rise of other areas has taken away its position. However, it has also grown thanks to the city's economic development and today is home to the majority of the working class population, mainly immigrants from the Indian and Pakistani areas.

Its streets are somewhat chaotic and dusty, but this neighbourhood has a unique charisma. Locals and tourists from all over the world gather around its souks, making it the most multicultural area of the city. Deira is one of the essential neighbourhoods to visit. Here is a list of everything you can see.

Dubai Creek is a natural creek that divides the city and separates the two most historic districts of the city, Deira and Bur Dubai. Around its 10-kilometre length, the city originated and established itself as a major trading post.

In the early 20th century, numerous ships arrived from Africa and India, carrying spices, jewellery and all kinds of goods that are still sold today in the souks of Deira, and in the middle of the last century the estuary underwent a major transformation. It was drained and new docks were built to expand shipping traffic.

Today, the banks of the estuary are one of the best areas for a leisurely stroll. In my opinion, the best way to enjoy this area is to travel the waters aboard the Abras, traditional wooden boats that take passengers from one bank to the other. There are currently about 150 of them along the creek.

You can hire an Abra to get around Dubai Creek and they usually cost around €30 per hour. If you opt for this option, I advise you to do it at sunset. Some of the Abras also offer dinner on board. You can also book a traditional sailing cruise, a dinner cruise in Dubai or a mega yacht dinner cruise in Dubai.

Crossing Dubai Creek

There are two main lines that cross the Creek from Deira to Bur Dubai and vice versa:

• Deira Old Souq Station (Deira) - Bur Dubai Station (Bur Dubai).
• Al Sabkha Station (Deira) - Dubai Old Souq Station (Bur Dubai).

The Deira to Bur Dubai line operates from 5am to midnight, while the other operates 24 hours a day. The price is extremely cheap, as each way costs €0.20 each way and is paid to the ferryman in cash.

Deira is one of the must-see neighbourhoods in Dubai. The most representative are, without a doubt, its souks. In fact, one of the most popular activities is the ** tour of the souks of Dubai**. And among the various souks, the so-called Gold Souk is the most visited and best known. There you can find around 300 jewellery shops where gold is the main material, but also diamonds and other precious stones are worked.

One of its shops displays the Najmat Taiba, a gold and diamond ring that holds the Guinness World Record for being the heaviest ring in the world. The jewel that crowns this ring weighs 5.17 kg and the ring's huge gold ring weighs almost 60 kg. If you want to get to know this souk in depth, don't hesitate to book a tour of Dubai's souks.

• How to get to the souk: It is located in the westernmost part of the neighbourhood and is quite easy to get to. It's best to walk and take advantage of the walk to see the streets of Deira. It is very well signposted and easy to get to. If you walk from the Abras del Creek station, it's only a few hundred metres by following the signs. Other options are by bus (lines 8, 10, X10, 91A and X23) or metro (Al Ras stop on the green line).
• Souk opening hours: Open seven days a week except for Friday mornings, which is the day of rest in Islam. Shops are open from 9am to 1pm and from 4pm to 10pm. Heat is not a problem, as it is covered. However, it is difficult to avoid a large crowd. If you have a choice, I recommend going on Wednesdays or Thursdays, as it tends to be a little less crowded.

Tips for shoppers

The Zoco del Oro is the ideal place for jewellery lovers or for those who want to give a gift that they will never forget. Here are a few tips for all of them:

• It is highly regulated and there you will find screens that inform you of the price of gold per gram according to its carat. Pay attention and take note of the data in case a trader asks you for an exorbitant amount.
• As it is a highly regulated market, it is difficult to be cheated in the shops. But the price of the jewellery also depends on the goldsmith work that has been done on it and that is where they will try to get extra money from you. Bargaining is a must and you should never trust the first price the seller gives you. If you are skilled in this art, you will get some pretty substantial bargains.
• Don't shop at the first shop you see. You have an infinite number of options and if you take the time to study them you are sure to find what you are looking for at a better price.
• It is almost impossible to find fakes in the shops, but this is not the case outside them. In between shops you are likely to be approached by street vendors whose goods are most likely counterfeit.
• You can pay by cash or credit card, but if you pay by cash, shopkeepers will be more likely to give you a discount.

Very close to the Gold Souk, practically next to it, is the "Souk". This is the name given to the spice souks in Dubai. If the gold souk is for the sight, this one is for the smell and taste.

As you approach the shops, the aroma invades you and invites you to enter the shops. Here you will find a myriad of Middle Eastern spices that are worth discovering and tasting. The best local chefs come here and, in addition to spices, they sell rice, nuts and similar products that you can try before you buy.

• How to get there: It is barely 200 metres from the gold souk, so the directions are almost the same. The nearest metro stop is still Al Ras and the buses are the same lines I mentioned before to get to the gold souk. Note that once you're there, you can book a Dubai souks tour to get to know this and other souks in depth.
• Opening hours: The spice shops have the same opening hours as the gold souk shops. They are open from 9am to 1pm and from 4pm to 10pm. They are also closed on Friday mornings for the same reason. The spice souk is not as crowded as the gold souk, but it is also advisable to visit on Wednesdays or Thursdays.

Also very close to the gold and spice souks is the quintessential Souk of scents. It is even said that you can get there by smell alone. But bear in mind that you can also book the Dubai souks tour mentioned above.

Perfumes are part of the most deeply-rooted tradition in the Arab world and the Perfume Souk is a good example of this. In this market you can find all kinds of fragrances. Essential oils, incense, scents of different woods and much more.

Traders offer the possibility of selling wholesale, but you can also buy custom-made perfumes with your choice of fragrance blends in different sized bottles. There is a range of prices to suit all budgets, but be aware that some of the perfumes can cost as much as some of the jewellery in the gold souk.

• How to get there: It is located to the east of the Gold Souk, a few hundred metres along the 10th street. The metro and bus stops are the ones I mentioned above and it is very close to the Al Sabkha Abras station if you arrive across the river.
• Opening hours: The perfume shops follow the same business hours, 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 10pm and are closed on Friday mornings.

For those who want a taste of Dubai's cuisine, the waterfront market in the Deira district is a must-visit. Today the market is more modern and better equipped, but retains the classic essence of the souks. Its main attraction is the fish stalls where you'll find all kinds of fresh produce straight from the Persian Gulf. As well as fish and seafood, there are stalls selling meat, fruit and vegetables.

All the fresh produce arrivesfirst thing in the morning, making it the best time to visit the market. You can also take the opportunity to see how the fish is cleaned and prepared. If you intend to buy, don't forget to haggle, as the classic souk style is still in place. The market also has restaurants that sell products from the complex. And if you're feeling peckish, you can also book a street food tour of Dubai.

• How to get there: The market is located in the northern part of the Deira neighbourhood along the waterfront. It's a bit far from the more touristy souks, so the best way to get there is by taxi. Because of the low prices and the heat of Dubai, taxis are always the best way to get around the city. Buses 17 and C15 stop nearby, although I recommend you opt for a taxi instead.
• Opening hours: Open 24 hours a day, every day. However, it is closed during certain hours for cleaning: from Saturday to Thursday, from 2pm to 4pm, and on Fridays, from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. I recommend that you go first thing in the morning, as this is when they have the freshest produce. If not, you can go at the last minute, as the remaining products are usually at cheaper prices. If you can avoid going on Fridays it is better, as this is Islam's day off and it tends to be more crowded.

The Heritage House is a historic and traditional Dubai building that has been converted into a museum of sorts where you can see first-hand what traditional life in a house was like. The building dates back to the late 19th century and was owned by one of Dubai's most famous merchants in the 20th century, who converted it into a 950 square metre palace. The Dubai government bought it in 1994 and renovated it to make it suitable for tourism.

During your visit to the Heritage House you will tour all the rooms of the house, which serve as a mirror to the former life of its guests. In the courtyard of the mansion you can relax and enjoy a cup of tea served on the spot. The visit is free, very enjoyable and, being very close to the gold souk, highly recommended.

• How to get there: The house is practically next to the gold souk. If you take the metro and get off at the Al Ras stop on the green line, the Heritage House is right next to it. You can also get there by Abra by getting off at the Deira Old Souq Marine stop. By bus, lines 8, 10, X10, 91A and X23 stop nearby. You can also book a night bus tour of Dubai.
• Opening hours: Visiting hours are Saturday to Thursday from 8am to 7.30pm and Friday from 2.30pm to 7.30pm. Remember that admission is free.

The Deira neighbourhood is located north of the estuary that separates the city, bordering the Persian Gulf coast and Dubai International Airport, and is on the list of things to see and do in Dubai. To the north of this neighbourhood, away from the hustle and bustle of the souks and its adjoining street, is Mamzar Beach Park, an oasis where you can spend the day relaxing on its manicured beaches, ideal if you're travelling to Dubai in July or if you're travelling to Dubai in August.

Opened in 1994, you'll find green areas, showers, barbecues, children's playgrounds, kiosks, swimming pools, cabanas for rent, etc. All this together with a good stretch of very clean and well-kept white sandy beaches make it one of the favourite beaches for tourists.

Tickets

Access to the park for one day costs 5 dirhams, approximately 1.20 euros at the exchange rate. If you also want access to the park's swimming pools, the entrance fee rises to 2.40 euros. If you go by car, parking costs an additional 7.20 euros.

It is important to know that on Mondays and Wednesdays only women and children are allowed to enter due to the country's traditions and that you will also have to respect Dubai's dress code.

• Opening hours: The park is open from Sunday to Wednesday from 8am to 10pm and from Thursday to Saturday from 8am to 11pm.
• How to get there: The downside of this park is that it is located far from the city centre. But don't let that stop you from enjoying the beaches. As always in Dubai, the taxi is the best way to get there. If you opt for the bus, the C28 line stops at the entrance to the park. So much for my list of recommendations of places to visit in Deira. A neighbourhood full of magic and tradition that you can't miss if you travel to Dubai.

And if you're going with children, I recommend you also book your ticket for the Aquaventure water park. They'll love it!