Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
4
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A visit to the Bastakiya Quarter includes culturally significant sights, such as Dubai's oldest building (1780s), the Al Fahidi Fort, the Dubai Museum, and the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU).
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Neighborhood: Al Fahidi
How to get there
- Al Fahidi • 9 min walk
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3,324 within 3 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
977 reviews
Excellent
386
Very good
419
Average
136
Poor
27
Terrible
9
freefireman
Vienna, Austria2,402 contributions
Oct 2019
The Al-Bastakiyya district is a old historic, listed district in Dubai, which is located on / near Dubai Creek and consists of narrow streets and wind towers. The district also houses the al-Fahidi Fort, the oldest existing building in Dubai (really recommended for a visit).
The Bastakiya quarter is one of the oldest residential areas in Dubai and goes back to the 1890s, with narrow and windy streets that provide a lot of shade and therefore make the heat very bearable. At that time the Bastakiya quarter was traditionally a stronghold of the wealthy residents. It is named after the city of Bastak in Iran, from which many of its inhabitants come.
The Bastakiya was often before demolition. During a visit in the 1990s, Prince Charles is said to have learned that the Bastakiya should be demolished. He then intervened with the sheikh and was able to convince him not to tear down the quarter. Since 2005, the city administration has started the restoration of the historic buildings and alleys, which has been very well done (very detailed), since many shops, cafes and some restaurants have settled. In the meantime, it has blossomed into an artist and cultural district with many galleries, exhibitions and museums.
It is really a quaint district and is located just behind the souks and reflects the flair of the old Dubai. Some houses with their great courtyards can also be visited, and the open floors can be climbed on narrow stairs, where you have a very good view of the district. Anyone who would like to get to know historic Dubai is in good hands here.
Countless exhibitions by as yet unknown painters can be admired. Galleries and museums are also not to be missed here. In addition to the culture, it is of course also important to be able to rest. In this Bastakiya district, visitors will also find numerous restaurants that invite them to relax. Bastakiya is even one of the 10 most important sights that must be seen in Dubai.
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The Bastakiya quarter is one of the oldest residential areas in Dubai and goes back to the 1890s, with narrow and windy streets that provide a lot of shade and therefore make the heat very bearable. At that time the Bastakiya quarter was traditionally a stronghold of the wealthy residents. It is named after the city of Bastak in Iran, from which many of its inhabitants come.
The Bastakiya was often before demolition. During a visit in the 1990s, Prince Charles is said to have learned that the Bastakiya should be demolished. He then intervened with the sheikh and was able to convince him not to tear down the quarter. Since 2005, the city administration has started the restoration of the historic buildings and alleys, which has been very well done (very detailed), since many shops, cafes and some restaurants have settled. In the meantime, it has blossomed into an artist and cultural district with many galleries, exhibitions and museums.
It is really a quaint district and is located just behind the souks and reflects the flair of the old Dubai. Some houses with their great courtyards can also be visited, and the open floors can be climbed on narrow stairs, where you have a very good view of the district. Anyone who would like to get to know historic Dubai is in good hands here.
Countless exhibitions by as yet unknown painters can be admired. Galleries and museums are also not to be missed here. In addition to the culture, it is of course also important to be able to rest. In this Bastakiya district, visitors will also find numerous restaurants that invite them to relax. Bastakiya is even one of the 10 most important sights that must be seen in 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Earlville
Chanhassen, MN21 contributions
Dec 2019
Dubai's "old town" is not very historical nor architecturally interesting. The boat ride across the canal was unique, and we found a quiet canal side restaurant too pass the time and somewhat justify the visit. .
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CdnGoldy
Kitchener, Canada987 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
This is where to go to see the buildings of old Dubai. Unfortunately, the old wealthy merchants homes have been turned into restaurants, and stores where hawkers constantly call out to you trying anything to get you into their stores. They all sell either tchotchkes or spices or fabrics. They will do anything to make a sale. My wife found their pressure unbearable so we didn't enjoy the visit as much as we could have without them.
The architecture was truly wonderful, demonstrating the wind towers and designs of the Emirati world of old.
The architecture was truly wonderful, demonstrating the wind towers and designs of the Emirati world of old.
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sasha Marquez
102 contributions
Mar 2021 • Solo
I really don’t get negative reviews of this wonderful and enchanting place. Do people really lack self sufficiency and expect the rattle toy in their faces to sell this place. Stay home please if you don’t get the point of quietly joining the flow of life. It is a quaint place, very well preserved and meticulously maintained. Walk outside to see the original abode bedecked with rugs and pillows. The guys were very chill offering a little history of the place. Nobody is hassling you. One thing I respect about this place is its people - never pushy or in your face. They simply let you be. The quarters is also a place for artists on Emirati scholarships to come and make their art. They come from different parts of the world, get cute studios to work and appear to be very happy to share their art and experiences. Dubai’s unbridled imagination doesn’t come from cheap modern stimulation that some reviewers seem to be looking for.
Written March 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wilton L
London, UK581 contributions
Jan 2021 • Friends
I love this area, it evokes all that was charming about a bygone era, has a very nice hotel restaurant/cafe/gallery called XVA. I come here often for a detox from glass and high rise. Walking in between the low mud houses into the various alleys is a charm by itself, they’ve done a lovely job restoring this area.
Written January 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN5,847 contributions
Nov 2022
Interesting historic district of Dubai dating back to the 1890s. Also known as the Al Fahidi Neighborhood. Several small museums and cafes in the district. Nearby is the Al Fahidi Fort and Dubai Museum and Dubai Creek where you can take an Abra across the river to explore the Old Souk. Al Seef along Dubai Creek is also nearby and worth exploring.
Written July 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KevMac1960
Stanford-Le-Hope, UK1,206 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This is a really nice area to take a stroll through although I think much of it is newer than it appears. Still that shouldn’t distract you from the nice old courtyards (particularly the philately museum) and shady areas. It’s just a short walk from (or to) the Dubai Museum
Written February 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zuv
Bucharest, Romania36,797 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Basically, Bastakya and Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood are the same thing, although here they are all separate topics. A historic district in Dubai, where you can see traditional houses, with simple architecture and appearance. There are some small museums, souvenir shops, some nice cafes and that's about it. Also here is Al-Fahidi fort, which houses the Dubai Museum. But at this moment it cannot be visited. Nothing very impressive, but it's worth a visit to get an idea of how Dubai used to look.
Written December 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands5,740 contributions
Jan 2023
The original name of what is now known as Al Fahidi, was Bastakia. It was founded by Farsi traders from Bastak (Iran) towards the end of the 19th century. It was just a very small settlement (some 60 houses) on a small space. Only narrow alleys separated the houses. In their drive to 'modernize" Dubai during the 1980s, half the neigborhood was demolished. The other half was destined to disappear as well, but 'rescued' last minute. Eventually after another initiative what was left of Bastakia got its present shape: a mix of reconstructed and restored places mainly geared to tourists.
Written February 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kimwillrule
Singapore, Singapore6,484 contributions
Nov 2022 • Family
Bastakia Quarter, Dubai: BQ is where art or history lovers flock to. It’s a beautiful cobbled stone square where the gorgeous traditional motifs and stoic simple architecture stlll abound. Stones and palm trees all scream desert cool and the elegant canopies provide the aesthetic and the relief from the hot scorching sun. #eatstylishtravelstylishp
Written November 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this place where the trip advisor map appears or it is northern near al Riga?
Written July 26, 2018
Is there an admission/entrance fee for this and can I explore this alone without a tour guide/group?
Written February 28, 2018
No admission fee and no guide needed. If you want the atmospheric feel then go in the evening and eat at one of the cafes on the water front or take the Abra (water ferry) over to the Deidra side and eat there.
Written March 5, 2018
Hi Mercedes,
We plan to visit Dubai with the family. We have two girls (6 and 3 years old); Do you think that visiting Bastakia quarter is possible to do it with them ? thanks Mimie
Written March 2, 2015
Yes, there are lots of narrow alleys between the buildings, so don't let them wander off, but they will be safe as it is away from all traffic. There are lots of interesting things around every corner. And they should enjoy exploring the one traditional building that you can enter.
Written March 2, 2015
Which is the nearest Metro Station and how far is it from the hotel?
Written December 23, 2014
A Tripadvisor member
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Yes the nearest Metro Is actually Al Fahidi but as other have said Bur Juman is also close. It is about an hour and a half from your hotel if you are staying in Abu Dhabi.
Written December 24, 2014
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