Old Dubai Small-Group Tour: Hidden Gems, Souks & Local Stories

Overview

Available languages

English

4 hours

Mobile ticket

Dubai’s historic beginnings tell a story like no other and this tour dives right into it. We’ll trace the city’s transformation from humble trading port to cultural crossroads, starting at a museum that unpacks its journey from desert to global destination. From there, we’ll explore the scent-swirled Spice Souk, gold-lined markets, and the iconic Dubai Creek via a breezy abra ride. The charming Al Fahidi neighborhood comes next, with its towering wind towers and timeless tales. We’ll sip Arabic coffee, swap stories, and close the experience with a local Emirati meal that captures the essence of Dubai’s soul: warm, diverse, and unforgettable.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Children must be accompanied by an adult

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.

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

Meal as per itinerary and bottled water in restaurant

Admission fees

Gratuities

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Soda/Pop

What To Expect

Al Shindagha Museum

We begin our tour at the Al Shindagha Museum district, our launch pad into old Dubai. Here, we thread together curated galleries and tactile displays to show how Dubai grew from creekside settlements into a trading crossroads. We’ll trace pearl-diving tales and dhow routes that linked Dubai to Persia, India, and East Africa. Objects become characters, maps turn into stories, and the Creek moves from backdrop to main character.

1 hour • Admission Included

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.

5 minutes • Admission Included

Options

Old Dubai Walking Tour

Reviews

4.98

191 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

190

Great Experience
Roving15155890863,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nada was amazing and very open to questions and very good at explaining everything that she showed us! Highly recommended
A brilliant activity
d jones25,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nada is an outstanding guide. She is very engaging & informative. We really enjoyed the tour and learned a lot from the experience. We had plenty of variety during the tour, highlights were the spice & gold souks.
Cultural Tour de Force
Joseph R,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Guide was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. She shared the city’s history and culture mixed with her experience growing up in Dubai.
A journey of the Dubai old town
Kym E,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
An altogether fantastic day - Nada was incredible in every detail including her effervescent personality. I would have hesitations whatsoever in recommending Nada. 5 ⭐️
Old Dubai - a magical tour with Nada
K1739ZBcherylf,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Don’t visit Dubai without touring with Nada. She is delightful and eager to share her knowledge of Old Dubai. Touring the souks was great fun. She took us to a very special shop for spices where the owners were so friendly and helpful. But the real highlight was a traditional Emirate dinner in a charming restaurant - hard to come by in Dubai. Did I mention that Nada is bright, beautiful, enthusiastic, curious and well-traveled? So glad we toured with her.
One of the best tour experiences I have had
Z5655YUmatts,
Sep 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nada is so knowledgeable, helpful, and eager to share about her experiences in Old Dubai. She has a great rapport with the local people. They break into a smile whenever she walks in. I learned a lot in my time and plan on taking another tour with her at a later date. I highly recommend her as a guide. You won't be disappointed.
An absolute must on your visit to Dubai
308jayantb,
May 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My wife and I were blessed to have Nada to ourselves during our walking tour of Old Dubai. Her knowledge of both Emirati history and culture helped us see Dubai in a new light. However it was her geniality and her warmth which truly made this tour one of a kind. It was special to be able to walk and chat with her as you would a close friend as you wandered through the streets. Not to be missed are stop at the spice shop (shout out to Rashid for his hospitality - one of a kind!) and our delicious Emirati lunch at Al Khayma. This tour is an absolute must
Unforgettable Journey Through Old Dubai with Nada
743dominikaw,
May 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had an absolutely amazing time on this tour with Nada - seriously, it was the best walking tour we’ve ever done (and we’ve done quite a few). Nada has such a cool way of sharing the history and culture of Old Dubai - you can really tell she loves what she does, and it made everything feel alive and personal. We wandered through the souks, tried all kinds of spices and Arabic coffee (so good!), and got to learn a ton about the UAE in a way that never felt boring. The tour was super well-organized, with the perfect mix of stories, culture, and tasty little surprises along the way. Lunch was another highlight - traditional Emirati food in a cozy spot, great vibes all around. Nada’s storytelling made the whole thing feel more like hanging out with a super knowledgeable friend than a typical tour. If you want to experience the real Dubai beyond the skyscrapers, this is it. 10/10 would recommend! THANK YOU NADA 🤍
Much to learn about the UAE
DXB walker,
Apr 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I have done many walking tours in Old Dubai but this one stood out as woman lead, deep insights into the regions history and culture, a friendly and insightful experience in the spice souk with knowledgable merchants. Best walking tour I’ve been on in Dubai. Thank you so much Nada it was wonderful!
Fun, Educational, and Memorable
667shalinis,
Feb 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our tour with Nada through the Dubai souks was absolutely incredible! We explored the bustling souks, tried several delicious street delicacies, and learned so much about spices and gold. As someone from India, I thought I knew a lot about spices, but Nada revealed many fascinating details we had no idea about! We had two kids with us, one of whom was a 10-year-old boy who is only interested in video games. Honestly, he was dreading the tour, expecting it to be boring. But by the end of the day, he was raving about how much fun he had! Nada's ability to engage with the kids and adjust the tour to keep them entertained was amazing. She really made the experience enjoyable for the whole family. If you're considering a tour with Nada, don’t hesitate! It’s truly worth it for both the insightful learning and the fun adventure. Highly recommended!