Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Separating Deira and Bur Dubai, the creek is the city's historic commercial hub. Explore and cross the canal on a traditional abra boat ride.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Top ways to experience Dubai Creek
The area
Neighborhood: Al Fahidi
How to get there
- Al Ras • 7 min walk
- Al Fahidi • 10 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,944 within 3 miles
Attractions
217 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
9,832 reviews
Excellent
4,612
Very good
3,871
Average
1,116
Poor
157
Terrible
76
Miss_gsta
New York City, NY69 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
So we were a little confused. I understood you arrived at the creek, took an abra ride to the old town where there would be the gold souk etc. Nope. Our taxi driver left us at the gold souk then we took an abra ride across the creek to the Al fahidi area.
Anyways, the abra ride cost 1 dirham and it took like 30 seconds to cross the creek. You just just on and sit where you find space.
Anyways, the abra ride cost 1 dirham and it took like 30 seconds to cross the creek. You just just on and sit where you find space.
Written January 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cat J A
Melbourne, Australia365 contributions
Aug 2022
A great opportunity to experience the old Dubai and being on the water was a respite from the oppressive daytime heat. The pier is adjacent to the old market and the abra boats only cost 1 dirham to ride - pay at the gate. Be aware that there is no timetable, the boat waits until it is full (around 20 people) before it pushes off. If you have time to spare, wait until the tour buses empty their passengers onto the boats and get the next one. We found it much quieter riding with locals.
Written October 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hany G
Bakersfield, CA1,007 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
It was a part of our dubai tour.
We visited the gold and spices souk by the creek then we took an abra "boat" to the old city of dubai. It is a short ride, aroound 5 minutes . It was a good exotic experience.
We visited the gold and spices souk by the creek then we took an abra "boat" to the old city of dubai. It is a short ride, aroound 5 minutes . It was a good exotic experience.
Written November 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Catalina_A
Dubai, United Arab Emirates15 contributions
Nov 2020 • Friends
The Dubai Creek is very famous about the canal during the night time for the sunset and sunrise. Is a fabulous experience and romantic at the same time.
You can get the small boat privately or during the Covid19 time there are different promotions in groupon, coupons or entertainment.
You can get the small boat privately or during the Covid19 time there are different promotions in groupon, coupons or entertainment.
Written November 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
zark
Athens, Greece2 contributions
Jan 2020
We jumped on a taxi Dhow with the locals, this was a great experience. You pay on the boat 1 Dhs each and pass it down the boat to the driver - it takes you across the river. You have to be quick they can only allow so many passengers and you've got nothing to hold on to and the water's not far from your feet. We did it on a Worship day so there were lots of locals out, the river was heaving with Dhows.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zanca F
9 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
What an amazing experience at the Dubai creek. The old traditional boat was something from the past. I appreciate how the old look o still preserved. It's only 27 cent for the ride in this time inflation I feel like I have gone 50 years back looking at cost and looking at the development of Dubai feels like Dubai is 50 years ahead.
Written August 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Woomaja
Stafford, UK52 contributions
Dec 2019
Having spent a morning exploring in the Dubai Museum and around the Al Fahidi district, we took a Dhow across the Creek. It cost 1 dhm each, about 25p and was good fun clambering aboard and trying to keep our balance on the choppy water. It is a fascinating mix of day to day living and tourism and was a welcome break from the High rise, fast paced, but equally satisfying, city scene.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
josphat Muiruri K
11 contributions
Feb 2020
Life is great when a holiday is full of greatness and color. This ride provided not just the joy of the boats and wonder bus rides, but also the beauty of the artistic buildings illumination and reflection in the waters that created the magic feeling. This is a memory that you will love to create. This is a great place to visit. The tour takes 30 minutes on land and the wonder bus transforms to sail on water for 30 minutes. It is a great memory that you will love to add to your bucket list.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
freefireman
Vienna, Austria2,335 contributions
Oct 2019
At the Creek in Dubai you can still find some original atmosphere of Old Dubai, with many dhows, wooden containers, loading ramps etc. Here you can find the old part of Dubai, where the souk with many dealers, many shops, restaurants etc. is located. The crossing of the creek can be done in many places with an old wooden boat for 1 AED and is already a lot of fun, you sit crosswise on a wooden pad, crowded with other passengers, you wait until the boat is full, approx. 20 people , then it goes along in a slow, chugging journey. The waiting time for such a trip (takes about 10 minutes) is never long, since there are always a lot of people waiting and many abras waiting on the quay.
A creek tour with an Abra is also very interesting, but you have to deal with the boat drivers, as they very often charge high prices, but with a little skill you can negotiate a price that is acceptable to both sides. The journey takes about 1 ½ hours and you can see the creek skyline with many new buildings, hotels, shops, the old harbor, fishing boats and the dhows, which are mostly overloaded on the river
The dinner dhow trips that are offered in the hotels are carried out in specially renovated and adapted dhows and have little to do with the original flair of Dubai Creek, that is more of a buoyancy and customer catch with cheap food.
On both sides of the creek (in the front area - sea side) you will find various souks that offer a variety of different articles and souvenirs - from scarves to carpets. The freshly made juices from oranges or pomegranates are very good, freshly squeezed, tastes wonderful, which you can get in some smaller shops in the souks. You should definitely visit the creek to see a piece of old Dubai.
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A creek tour with an Abra is also very interesting, but you have to deal with the boat drivers, as they very often charge high prices, but with a little skill you can negotiate a price that is acceptable to both sides. The journey takes about 1 ½ hours and you can see the creek skyline with many new buildings, hotels, shops, the old harbor, fishing boats and the dhows, which are mostly overloaded on the river
The dinner dhow trips that are offered in the hotels are carried out in specially renovated and adapted dhows and have little to do with the original flair of Dubai Creek, that is more of a buoyancy and customer catch with cheap food.
On both sides of the creek (in the front area - sea side) you will find various souks that offer a variety of different articles and souvenirs - from scarves to carpets. The freshly made juices from oranges or pomegranates are very good, freshly squeezed, tastes wonderful, which you can get in some smaller shops in the souks. You should definitely visit the creek to see a piece of old Dubai.
If this review was helpful for you, please activate the "Helpful button"!
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AnjanManda
Hyderabad, India2,009 contributions
Nov 2021 • Family
Enjoy the traditional ‘Abra’ ride.The traditional ferry boat ride to cross creek is as cheap as 1AED.The place is said to be first settlement of local tribe.Natural salt water creek and waterway that has traditionally been used for transport and trade.Creek is located in the heart of the city and gold souk and spice souk are located near it.
Written January 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
VINCENTHUDSON
Manchester, UK52 contributions
I’m staying at the Grand Hyatt. Is there any local, cheap eats nearby. How far away is the hotel from the creek
carlbuyungo
Dubai, United Arab Emirates2 contributions
Hello Mr, which location along the Creek can i go for free swimming?
Passp0rtAlwaysReady
Exeter, UK6,208 contributions
Hi
I wouldn’t recommend swimming there as there are just too many boats about!
Isha_DreamChaser
Cardiff, UK5 contributions
Hello,
I am staying at Vida Creek over New Year - does anyone know of any new years eve events happening nearby or whether we will be able to see fireworks displays for free?
Also any other recommendations of what do / eat at around the area?
thanks!
Serdar S
Dubai, United Arab Emirates118 contributions
I would recommend Mazmi Cafe in Old Dubai area. A Dubai cafe with a classical touch of Emirati culture and delicious food. You can sit outside and watch the small ferries passing through the creek
marechiaro65
napoli11 contributions
volevo sapere costi con cena se la consigliate
cinziav732016
Italy1,185 contributions
Ciao
Noi non abbiamo mai fatto la crociera sulle barche con cena perciò non saprei dirti i costi.
Sul consigliarti se farla o no dipende un pó dai costi, sicuramente vedi tutta la marina illuminata che è sempre bella.
madhousewife
London, UK105 contributions
Hi we will be staying at the Sheraton creekside, does anyone know if there are small local places to eat that sell arabic/indian food that is not expensive-don't really like Hotel food but really want to eat where the locals eat.
Thanks
Steve
hubz72
Cheshire, UK687 contributions
Hi Steve,
To be honest unless you get in a cab there isn’t much directly around The Sheraton itself. But 2 minute walk from the hotel is the Baniyas water bus terminal and for around £1 it will take you over the creek directly to Al Seef, google it, it’s a wonderful development, Uber modern but meant to be a 200 year old fort style area of shops that are really traditional looking but new built. Lots of cafes and all different sorts of restaurants (so you will find Arabic and Indian) with a really great selection right on the creek all with excellent views. Best bit, because it is still to be found by the bulk of the tourism boom (as it’s so new) it wasn’t busy at all when we where there recently.
Enjoy, it’s superb and the boat ride is literally 3-5 minutes long that’s all,
Cheers,
Stu
Dans le souk de Deira il y a du fake ?
Mapare
Mar del Plata, Argentina32 contributions
Está todo armado , igual tiene encanto
Amanda White
Leamington Spa, UK3 contributions
Do you need to pre book a night tour by boat around Dubai creek or can you just turn up? Don’t want dinner cruise just boat trip!
Teena B
New Delhi, India120 contributions
The boat trip is like a 5-7 minute trip for 1dirham. You don't need to pre book it. I don't know till what time it runs in the evening.
SmokeyDJ
Singapore, Singapore254 contributions
I'm arranging a company offsite in Dubai. We want to do a quick 2-3hr morning activity in the Dubai Creek (No time for museum), to see the old Dubai. QU - How much time would it take to get an Abra from the "Bur Dubai Abra St" side, to the "Deira old Souk St", then have a walk around the Gold and Spice souks? Would this be enough of an experience, could more be included?
Andrew U
London, UK20 contributions
Hi You will have more than enough time. The boat crossing is 10 minutes if that.
The souk is a fabulous and atmospheric place, 2 hours would be enough for a first timer. We all know how company offsite visits go. It all depends on the mix of personalities as to whether or not they will all find it an ‘experience’ I suspect most will!
Ann-Maree C
Sydney, Australia48 contributions
What is the best side to wonder and have dinner? We would like to catch the Abra across the creek to where the souks are, we are happy to eat street food. Also is the gold souk walking distance from the spice souk?
Caro W
103 contributions
Hi. We stayed at the Raddison Blu.. and walked from there down to the Spice Souk.. plenty of places to eat
Dubai Creek - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Dubai Creek
- Dubai Creek is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- We recommend booking Dubai Creek tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 190 Dubai Creek tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Dubai Creek:
- Old Dubai Gold Souk and Water Taxi (From $45.00)
- Dinner at Dubai Canal (Tours & Sightseeing ) (From $65.00)
- Dubai City Half Day Tour (From $43.00)
- Morning Dubai City Tour (From $35.00)
- City Sightseeing Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour (From $76.24)
- Hotels near Dubai Creek:
- (0.08 mi) Mazmi Casa
- (0.17 mi) XVA Art Hotel
- (0.19 mi) Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa
- (0.19 mi) Orient Guest House
- (0.22 mi) The George Hotel By Saffron
- Restaurants near Dubai Creek:
- (0.08 mi) Mazmi Cafe and More
- (0.08 mi) Creekside Restaurant & Cafe
- (0.19 mi) Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe - Al Fahidi
- (0.18 mi) Mumtaz Mahal Indian Speciality Restaurant
- (0.17 mi) XVA Cafe
- Attractions near Dubai Creek:
- (0.12 mi) Deira Old Souk Abra Station
- (0.06 mi) Shiva Temple
- (0.09 mi) Textile Souk
- (0.10 mi) Grand Bur Dubai Masjid
- (0.14 mi) Dubai Museum & Al Fahidi Fort