Affordable Adventures: Old Town Walks, Abra Rides & Souk Explorations under $20

Dubai may be one of the most luxurious destinations to visit in the Asian region. However, it is not impossible to visit Dubai on a budget. Old Town Dubai is cheap to explore, and there is a variety of activities to do in this area. It’s a beautiful area in Dubai that you must explore when you visit the city. Here are the details on how you can manage affordable adventures in Dubai, from old town walks, abra rides & souk explorations under $20. Reading this will give you an idea of how to make Dubai an affordable destination on your next visit to the city.

Affordable Adventures in Dubai: Old Town Walks, Abra Rides & Souk Explorations under $20

An old town tour of Dubai will show you the transformation of the area into the metropolis it is today. A visit to the Al Fahidi Fort will help you gain knowledge about the history of this Emirati city and the surrounding region. You can enjoy stunning views of the Dubai Creek while going on an abra ride, sample delicious street food, or shop till you drop at the Gold and Spice souks. This is a heritage and cultural tour that will leave you with a different perspective of Dubai from what you see in the modern day.

Here’s an overview of the tour:

 

• Gain excellent knowledge of Emirati culture and history
• Experience local street food and drinks
• Individual attention from tour guides
• Upgrade to include pickup from the hotel and/or a private guide

 

Tours generally include the following:

 

• Bottled water
• Tea and/or coffee
• Snacks
• Camel milk chocolate
• Arabic dates
• Lunch
• Abra ride
• Professional local tour guide

Affordable Adventures in Dubai: Tour Itinerary

Below is how a typical tour itinerary of old town walks, abra rides & souk explorations is like. Here you can learn what sort of places you can visit and experiences you can gain through this tour.

Souk Al Seef by Dubai Retail: Affordable Adventures in Dubai

Soul Al Seef is one of the pickup points common for this tour. You can immerse yourself in the charm of old Dubai and explore the Emirati and Arab culture. This spot is excellent for capturing stunning views of Dubai Creek. This old town feel is something that you must visit when you visit Dubai. It is completely different to what you see as modern Dubai today.

Al Fahidi Historic Neighborhood: Affordable Adventures in Dubai

The Al Fahidi area is a popular historic neighborhood in old Dubai. You can walk through historical sites, uncovering past Emirati stories, traditions, and cultures. Al Fahidi is a great place to delve into Arabian lifestyles and gain insight into them. Moreover, you get to sip aromatic Arabic coffee in a Traditional Arab Devan, which will prove to be an authentic experience for all.

Dubai Creek

You can make a stop at the Dubai Creek to enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding area. This can be coupled with a ride on a traditional abra, a small boat that will let you enjoy this view all the more. A better option is to go for a sunset ride, which will leave you with lasting memories of Dubai Creek and old Dubai. Look at Dubai from a different angle and experience its uniqueness in the Dubai Creek.

Dubai Spice Souk

The enchanting and aromatic Old Spice Souk is worth a visit if you got to old Dubai area. Also, it is a great place to indulge in delicious street food and a variety of beverages that will help cool you down in the Dubai heat. You can smell and feel a wide range of aromatic spices before deciding which ones to buy to take back home. The smell of spices will surely keep you hooked on this place for longer than you expect.

Dubai Gold Souk

Dubai’s world-renowned Gold Souk is a must-visit attraction in the old town area. It is home to record-breaking jewelry pieces that can keep you glued to it for hours. Don’t forget to bargain with the sellers to get the best value for your money. Shop till you drop at the famous Gold Souk in old Dubai, glistening with its priceless beauty and charm.

Dubai Museum and Al Fahidi Fort

Dubai Museum is located within Al Fahidi Fort, which is the oldest building in Dubai. Built in 1787, this fortress tells the history of Dubai and how it all began. The museum presents the traditional way of life in the Emirates. Moreover, it consists of local antiques and artifacts from the Asian and African regions. Its artifacts date back as early as 3000 BC, including pearl diving boats, swords, jewelry, and a spice souk with actual spices with their true aromas.

Bur Dubai Abra Station

You can enjoy a ride on the traditional abra, which is a small boat, with stunning views of the Dubai Creek, Bur Dubai, and Deira Dubai. On the other side, you can enjoy the views of large ships and tall skyscrapers of Dubai’s skyline as you sail along in the water.

Souk Al Seef

You can walk along the Al Seef promenade and soak in the beautiful views of the small mosque. Meanwhile, you can stroll along the streets of Al Fahidi historic neighborhood. This area is the best place to appreciate the pretty old buildings of the district, next to the modern ones.

Affordable Adventures in Dubai: Additional information on the tour

Here is some information that you need to know about the tour.

 

• You will receive confirmation at the time of booking
• The tour will last anywhere between three and four hours
• You may meet your tour guide at the designated meet-up/ pickup point
• The tour may be conducted in two different languages based on the people in the group
• The tour will generally have about 15 people
• You cannot carry large bags or luggage on this tour
• Infants are not allowed on this tour

Additional stops in the tour

Some tours include a visit to the Shiva Temple, which is located in the Al Fahidi district. It caters to the large Hindu community living not only in Dubai but also in the entire United Arab Emirates. The temple complex was initially established in Bur Dubai in 1958. It consists of the Shiva Mandir, Krishna Mandir, and Gurudwara.

 

Additionally, Textile Souk, near Bur Dubai Abra Station, is also a great place to explore in your tour of old Dubai. Get lost in a maze of rainbow-hued colors, waves, textures, and embroidery from all over the world. Textile Souk is one of Dubai’s oldest traditional markets. It is one of the best places to buy textile items, shawls, and souvenirs at bargain prices.

Final Thoughts

Enjoy a blend of history and culture as you uncover the hidden gems of old Dubai. These affordable adventures are what set them apart from any other tour in metropolitan Dubai. It has its own blend of fascination that will give you great insight into the history of the city. Old Dubai is a place of great interest and can be done on a budget.