Old Markets and Old Town Cultural Tour in Dubai
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Old Markets and Old Town Cultural Tour in Dubai worth booking?
Old Markets and Old Town Cultural Tour in Dubai is a 2-hour experience in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from $15 per person. It scores 58 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 58 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (4)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $15 per person
Delve deeper into the sights and culture of traditional Dubai than you could do alone easily on this tour. Rather than spend hours researching what to see, do and eat in old Dubai, rely on a guide to save time and ensure
What you get
- Entry ticket to the heritage sites
- Shopping time
- Shawarma and falafel (premium option)
- Traditional boat ride (Abra)
- Gold Souk Market
- Street Food tastings
About this experience
Delve deeper into the sights and culture of traditional Dubai than you could do alone easily on this tour. Rather than spend hours researching what to see, do and eat in old Dubai, rely on a guide to save time and ensure you don’t miss anything. Shop in souks with tips from your guide, cross the creek by “abra” water taxi, visit Dubai Museum, roam the Al Fahidi quarter and enjoy street food, Arabic coffee and other tastings.
What's included
Included
- Entry ticket to the heritage sites
- Shopping time
- Shawarma and falafel (premium option)
- Traditional boat ride (Abra)
- Gold Souk Market
- Street Food tastings
- Juice (pomegranate, coconut, orange, and sugarcane with the premium option)
- Arabic coffee
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide/Driver
- Traditional boat ride along Dubai Creek
- Bottles of water
- Spice Market
Not included
- Personal Expense
What you'll see and do
Souk Al Seef By Dubai Retail
Al Seef is a vibrant 1.8km destination steeped in Dubai’s cultural and historical roots. It perfectly blends the charm of old Dubai with modern amenities, making it an ideal spot for Instagram-worthy photos. The area replicates the city’s traditional architecture and offers numerous dining options, all while providing a stunning view of Dubai Creek, a must-see landmark.
20 minutes here
Dubai Creek
Stroll along Dubai Creek, the city’s lifeline, which divides Dubai from Deira to the north and Bur Dubai to the south. Enjoy the stunning views of this iconic waterway that captures the essence of the city.
15 minutes here
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
Discover the traditional architecture, lifestyle, and hospitality of the region in Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood. Walking through its narrow alleys, you'll encounter cultural institutions and galleries, offering a unique glimpse into Dubai’s rich history.
20 minutes here
Museum Of Illusions
A fascinating world of optical illusions, perfect for capturing memorable photos.
Pass by without stopping
Dubai Museum & Al Fahidi Fort
Visit the oldest building in Dubai, dating back to the 1780s, originally built as a fortress. Explore the Dubai Museum housed within, offering insights into the city’s past.
20 minutes here
Old Souk
Test your bargaining skills at the Old Souk, one of Dubai’s oldest traditional markets. It’s the best place to shop for textiles, shawls, and local snacks.
20 minutes here
Bur Dubai Abra Station
Experience the gentle hum of the traditional wooden abras at Bur Dubai Abra Dock as you prepare to cross Dubai Creek. This crossing marks the start of your adventure into the Deira Spice Souk.
20 minutes here
Deira Old Souk Abra Station
Explore the historic markets on the Deira side, including the Spice Souk and the famous Gold Souk, which offer some of the best photo opportunities in the city.
20 minutes here
Dubai Spice Souk
Wander through the Spice Souk with your guide, learning about various spices and enjoying a stress-free shopping experience. Take part in a food tasting session and discover the flavors of the local markets.
20 minutes here
Gold Souk
Explore the Gold Souk, a market teeming with stores selling exquisite jewelry, silver, and precious stones. It’s a romantic spot to find a special souvenir, though just browsing is equally enjoyable.
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Dubai
Meet your guide at the entrance of the hotel. They will be wearing a badge and will introduce themselves before the tour.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Meet your guide at the entrance of the hotel. They will be wearing a badge and will introduce themselves before the tour.
Options you can book
Tour without Food Tasting
Only Tour: This option doesn’t include any tastings, it includes only guide, boat ride, water and entry to places
Group Tour with Hotel Pickup
Hotel Pickup: Choose this option to enjoy a convenient pickup from your hotel at the start of the tour. This option does not include a drop Food Tasting: Many Tastings : Includes Shawarma/Falafel, Frssh Juice, chai Tea, mineral water, Arabic coffee, Dtaes with chocolate.
Tour with Food Tasting
Food Tasting: Many Tastings : Includes Shawarma/Falafel, Frssh Juice, chai Tea, mineral water, Arabic coffee, Dtaes with chocolate.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Arabian Vista Tourism LLC
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
1 mentionTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for Old Markets and Old Town Cultural Tour in Dubai. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
We really enjoyed this...
We really enjoyed this tour of Dubai Old Town Ali was very informative We found smelling the different spices good, and enjoyed the abra boat ride
Response from the operator: Thanks for the valuable feedback. Hope to see you again.
via Viator
Ms Kathy
Our tour guide, Ali, is very experienced and knowledgeable. We had a wonderful tour. The experience was not only informative but also provided a deeper understanding of Dubai's history, culture, and food. The boat ride and market shopping were great.
Response from the operator: Thanks for the valuable feedback. Hope to see you again.
via Viator
Unforgettable
Gold souk market,spices market and perfume market are in close vicinity and you need a full day to have a look in these markets if you’re interested in buying the above mentioned products.The quality of gold spices and perfume is too good this I’m saying with my buying experience and not by only window shopping.My friend bought gold and we bought spices and perfume of our choice which they prepare as per your requirements and distributed the perfume to our friends and family members in India and praised after using the products as the quality of Dubai perfumes is too good and unmanageable we still remember roaming around in these neat clean and busy markets totally unforgettable
Response from the operator: Thanks for the valuable feedback. Hope to see you again.
via Tripadvisor
Horrible!!!
Horrible. When I arrived at the meeting point, no one showed up. After asking a local to borrow his phone (no one answered the call from my number), I was informed that they had the dates mixed up! I tried stopping the payment but to no avail. DO NOT FALL FOR THIS SCAM!!!!!
Response from the operator: Hello, Thanks for the feedback. We are extremely sorry that you didn't have a pleasant experience with us. you booked tour just 1 hour before and that's time no slot is available for that we refund your whole amount we are not scam please check we refund your whole amount.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $15 to $55
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 58
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Old Markets and Old Town Cultural Tour in Dubai: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Dubai.
How much does Old Markets and Old Town Cultural Tour in Dubai cost?
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Prices start at $15 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Dubai usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Old Markets and Old Town Cultural Tour in Dubai take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Dubai is not rushed.
Is Old Markets and Old Town Cultural Tour in Dubai worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Dubai, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Old Markets and Old Town Cultural Tour in Dubai?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Old Markets and Old Town Cultural Tour in Dubai suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Old Markets and Old Town Cultural Tour in Dubai?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Dubai can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Dubai and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Old Markets and Old Town Cultural Tour in Dubai start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Dubai within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Dubai?
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On Outty we rank every Dubai experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Dubai Premium Red Dunes Safari, Camels & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp, Dubai: Red Dunes Safari, Quad, Camel, Dune Bash, BBQ & Shows, Dubai Dune Buggy Safari Tour in Red Dunes Options. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Dubai?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Dubai?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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