Al Fahidi Historical District
حي الفهيدي التاريخي
A historic wind-tower quarter on the Dubai Creek, with 19th-century coral-stone houses, narrow lanes, galleries and café, the best place to feel the Dubai of the pre-oil era.
The Al Fahidi Historical District, formerly known as Bastakiya, is located on the southern bank of Dubai Creek in Bur Dubai. It was built in the late 19th century by merchants from Bastak in Persia, and it is the best-preserved traditional quarter in Dubai. About 50 houses made of coral stone, plaster and palm wood line narrow lanes. The rooftops are topped with wind towers (barjeel) that provide natural ventilation, and the buildings now house galleries, small museums, boutique hotels and Arabic cafés. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding offers a traditional Emirati brunch and cultural Q&A (advance booking required, paid entry). The district also has a Coffee Museum, a Coins Museum and more. The quarter is free to visit and open all day, and most venues open from 9:00. It is close to Al Fahidi Fort (Dubai Museum, under renovation) and Al Seef, and you can walk to the wharf and take an abra across the creek to the gold and spice markets in Deira. The Green Line’s Al Fahidi station is about a 10-minute walk away. Dress conservatively.
Opening hours
District open all day; galleries and museums approx. 09:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Dubai Creek Abra Ride
- Deira Gold Souk
- Al Seef
- Dubai Frame
- Etihad Museum
- Jumeirah Mosque
- Museum of the Future
- La Mer