January 2018
The historical city of Dubai
The earliest written record of Dubai is on a map of the coast of the UAE in the tenth century AD. Before oil was discovered in the 1950s, the UAE's economy was dependent on fishing and a declining pearl industry. Circa 1580 the pearling industry of Dubai and other cities in UAE territory is already documented. This mainly took place around the first settlements of Dubai, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood/Bastakiya and Dubai Creek.
Bookings
We would recommend this tour with a local guide where you will visit: old town, local markets, some streed food tasting & abra (boat ride) crossing Dubai Creek (in total around 3 hours). This is really a very beautiful and authentic tour.
Tourism Hub
This part, Bur Dubai (Bastakiya district) is the oldest part of Dubai and characterizes itself by the spice, textile and gold souks, the busy Dubai creek full with abra's and watertaxi's and the old settlements of the city. Since oil exports began in 1962, the country's society and economy have been transformed. The UAE has diversified and has become a regional trading and tourism hub. The old historical city is nowadays a popular tourist destination, visited by millions of people every year. We visited the old city many times, it is always a joy to stroll through the narrow streets, old houses, galleries, mosques, the Sh Mohammed Centre for cultural Understanding and to have lunch in one of the traditional tea houses with their lovely courtyards.
