Private Tour: Roam the Backstreets of Old Dubai with an Insider

From $273.17 per person Lowest Price Guarantee

Select Date and Travelers

You can select up to 12 travelers in total.

Adult (7-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 12

Book online or call: +1 437 970 2890

Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

2023-2024

2 Adults x $483.29

$966.58

Approx Total

$966.58

2023-2024

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Meal as per itinerary and bottled water in restaurant
Admission fees

Gratuities
Private transportation
Soda/Pop

Overview

Dubai’s historic and humble beginnings tell a story like no other. We’ll start the day by marching the streets of old Dubai stopping by several enchanting sights and witnessing the city’s dynamic history woven by its people. We'll learn about the emirate’s history as we wander its streets and the aromatic spice and shiny gold souqs. We’ll meet shop owners and learn the secrets behind some of the world’s most expensive traded items. We'll hop on a traditional wooden abra boat and cross over the magnificent Dubai Creek. We’ll visit the Grand Mosque in Dubai, originally built in 1900, where we’ll enjoy an introduction to Islam’s core beliefs and the mosque’s beautiful architecture. We’ll explore the historic Al Fahidi neighborhood with its merchant houses and their incredible windtowers, and enjoy gahwa or Arabic coffee, a quintessential symbol of Emirati hospitality. By then, I guarantee our stomachs will be grumbling loud enough to guide us themselves to one of Dubai’s best eats.

Meeting points

The meeting point is outside the Al Ghubaiba Metro Station Exit/Entrance No. 4 on the Green Line. If you are dropped off at any of the other station entrances/exits (there are 4), you can walk easily (on ground level) to find No.4.

End point

Open in Google Maps

Closest to the Sharaf DG Metro Station in Bur Dubai.

Itinerary

Dubai Spice Souk

Dubai's Spice Souk is an incredibly aromatic network of shops and eateries that sell everything from saffron to chocolate dipped dates. To navigate the bustling souk, the best way is to learn about the origins of the spices at first from your guide and shop-owners before you cruise your way around the market.

30 minutes
Dubai Gold Souk

We'll walk through Dubai's oldest market, the Gold Souk, a place buzzing with eager shoppers there to explore its 300+ shops and covered walkways. We'll stop to learn about the world's obsession with this shiny yellow metal, especially during festive occasions.

20 minutes
Dubai Creek

The wooden abra boats plying the busy Dubai Creek are one of Dubai's most iconic scenes to witness. Guests will enjoy an unforgettable experience on a private abra ride and capture the city from the water as we time-travel from its past to its present.

20 minutes
Textile Souk

The Textile Souk is a labyrinth of traditional Arabian souvenir stores with plenty of fabrics, scarves, and I heart Dubai t-shirts. Here, your guide will introduce you to the national dress worn by both men and women, and demonstrate how each garment is worn.

20 minutes
Grand Bur Dubai Masjid

We’ll visit the Grand Mosque in Dubai, originally built in 1900 and devoted to the study of the Quran, where we’ll enjoy an introduction to Islam’s core beliefs and the mosque’s beautiful architecture.

35 minutes
Al Fahidi

Our last stop will be a fantastic meal at a traditional restaurant where we'll break bread together. The guide will pre-order several dishes so that guests can experience the various flavors and spices used to marinate, and answer all your curious questions.

1 hour
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

We'll wander through one of Dubai's historic neighborhoods where its merchants once lived in now-restored homes. Your guide will explain the brilliance behind the architecture of these structures, particularly its windtowers, designed to keep inhabitants cool.

45 minutes
Dubai Museum & Al Fahidi Fort (Pass By)

Guests will stop outside the now-closed Dubai Museum, originally built back in 1787 as the premises of the monarch. The fort was once upon a time Dubai's tallest structure, and served to protect its inhabitants from any potential threats. Guests will be able to capture snaps of the structure from outside and learn about its purpose.

Additional Info

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking, as our meal is pre-ordered, is non-vegetarian, and is served on a sharing platter basis. A vegetarian option is available on request.
It is recommended that you bring bottled water, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen.
It is recommended that you wear light fabric clothing (especially during summer) and comfortable shoes
This tour includes moderate physical activity. Guests should be in good health, able to walk slightly longer distances at a comfortable pace, and able to participate in periods of standing.
Garments for entry to the mosque (also provided complimentary at the mosque).

Free Cancellation

February 05100% refund

February 06No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

15 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

15
4 stars

0
3 stars

0
2 stars

0
1 star

0

We perform checks on reviews

We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 15 reviews with 5 stars

Best Tour Guide in Dubai by far!!

Published on Nov, 2024

My husband and I had the best day with Nada. We learnt so much about old Dubai, its history and culture and saw some fantastic places. Nada is absolutely lovely and so knowledgeable, it was such a pleasure spending time with her. We can’t recommend Nada enough, don’t hesitate, book the tour, honestly you won’t regret it!!

Insider info indeed! Superb tour!

Published on Feb, 2024

It was definitely a half day well spent! We saw a side of Dubai that we would never have imagined, such rich history and culture. Nada was brilliant! She knew exactly how/when to share interesting info, the tour was well planned out and we took the right number of stops at the right places. And the food at the end was great!I'd surely recommend this tour with Nada to all!

The best tour guide I've ever met

Published on Feb, 2024

Nada is, quite simply, the best tour guide I've ever encountered. Two years ago, my wife and I booked a private tour of Old Dubai with her, and we loved every moment of it—the history, the cultural knowledge, the sights, the conversations with locals, and of course the food. We learned more in less time than I would have thought possible. This year, I held a team offsite in Dubai, and so decided to take the team (seven of us in all) on the same tour with Nada as a bit of cultural immersion into the city that was hosting us. Over and over again, I heard, "What an amazing end to the week!" I also heard, "Best offsite ever," and I suspect that Nada's tour had a lot to do with that. I can't recommend Nada highly enough. Seriously, she is a force of nature, a human dynamo, a deeply knowledgeable guide, and just an all-around great person.

Wonderful guide in Dubai

Published on Dec, 2023

My wife and I came to Dubai a few days early before joining our cruise. We didn’t know what to expect. Fortunately, we spent two wonderful days with Nada. She showed us both the modern and the old Dubai, the amazing architecture and the traditional. Nada was engaging, knowledgeable, and being well traveled herself, knew what it took t make our visit memorable. We highly recommend Nada.

Great tour of Old Dubai

Published on Dec, 2023

Great tour. Nada was knowledgeable, pleasant and very good company. I felt like I learned a lot about Dubai’s history. Highly recommended.

Compare Similar Experiences