Al Seef & the Abra Ride: The Old Dubai Most Tourists Miss

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When people think of Dubai, they picture skyscrapers, Palm Jumeirah and Burj Khalifa. But the real vibe of Dubai is in Old Dubai, and its heart is Al Seef. We'd guess 60–70% of tourists miss it.

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Getting there

Take the metro to BurJuman station, then walk 10–12 minutes. On the way you'll see real Dubai life: small lanes and local shops.

A little history

This is where the city's story began. It was once a small fishing village that slowly became a major trade port for pearls, spices and everything else. In 2017 Dubai reshaped Al Seef to blend heritage with modernity. Today it has two zones: heritage and modern. "Al Seef" means shore, a nod to Dubai's maritime history.

What to do

• Browse the traditional handicraft souk, art galleries and the open waterfront.
• For heritage vibes, try spiced kahwa and Arabic snacks. For a modern touch, there are trendy coffee shops and boutiques.
• Have coffee at the Starbucks built in an old-Dubai style.
• Plenty of local food, and lots of Indian food options too.

Tip: come in the evening. We came during the day and it was very hot. Carry a bottle: there are free water refill counters.

The abra ride to the Gold Souk

The highlight: pay 1 dirham, hop on a wooden abra, and cross Dubai Creek in 5–10 minutes. The views are gorgeous. The queue was short and we got a boat immediately. (Our Nol card covered abras too.)

After you get off, ask anyone: the Gold Souk is in the opposite direction, about a 10-minute walk.

Next stop for us: Museum of the Future. Full trip: Dubai in 72 hours.

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TAGS: DUBAI · AL SEEF · OLD DUBAI · ABRA · GOLD SOUK · HERITAGE

Written by

Prashant & Sunaina

A travel couple from Pune with Kashmiri Pandit × Maharashtrian roots, 8+ countries and counting. Every rupee shared.

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