Old Dubai · Bastakiya, Souks, Creek Crossing

Old Dubai sits across the creek from the contemporary skyline and offers the half-day that anchors the city in its trading-port history — the Al Fahidi quarter with the wind-tower houses, the gold and spice souks of Deira, and the abra crossing for one dirham that remains the cheapest sightseeing fare in the world. The walk takes three hours.

Start at Al Fahidi at 9h, plan a coffee at the Arabian Tea House, cross the creek by abra at 11h, end with lunch in Bur Dubai. The route is the corrective for a client who has only seen the Marina and DIFC — the city existed before the towers and the souk crossing is the proof.

The half-day that locates the city.