Deira back streets: Naif Souq to Al Ras

The working souks of Deira that residents shop in, from the air-conditioned Naif Souq of cheap abayas through the Pakistani canteens of Naif to the Gold Souk, ending among the coral-stone houses of Al Ras by the Creek. Start at Baniyas Square metro (Green Line); finish at the abra for the AED 1 crossing back to Bur Dubai.

Best time: Late afternoon to evening Saturday-Thursday (Gold Souk 10:00-22:00, many shops shut about 13:00-16:00; on Fridays it opens only at 16:00). October-April; in summer (May-September) go after sunset.

The route, stop by stop

1. 1
   Baniyas Square metro station

   Green Line station; start here. 5 min.

2. 2
   Naif Souq

   One of Old Dubai's oldest souqs, once open-air with thatched stalls, now a fully air-conditioned building; best known for very affordable abayas, with vendors calling out as before. 30 min.

3. 3
   Pak Liyari

   Family-run Pakistani restaurant since 2007, known for mutton biryani. 40 min for a meal.

   Family-run Pakistani canteen opened in 2007 by Usman Hingoro, known for mutton biryani; What's On says the family refuses to raise prices, and the crowd mixes Pakistanis…

4. 4
   Dubai Gold Souk

   More than 380 shops selling 22-carat bangles, diamonds and silver; bargaining is part of the ritual. Sat-Thu 10:00-22:00, Fri from 16:00. 30 min.

   More than 380 retailers, mostly jewellers, in a market that grew from a handful of creekside merchants in the early 1900s and boomed with Indian and Iranian traders from the…

5. 5
   Deira Perfume Souk (Sikkat Al Khail Street)

   Oud, attar oils and bakhoor smoke in small shops with custom blends; sellers let you test. 20 min.

6. 6
   Heritage House

   Historic house on Al Ahmadiya Street (mapped in OpenStreetMap as a historic monument), next to Al Ahmadiya School. 10 min.

7. 7
   Al Ahmadiya School

   Founded in 1912 by the pearl merchant Sheikh Ahmed bin Dalmouk, Dubai's oldest known formal school; a museum since 2000. Then walk to the Creek for the abra. 20 min.

   Dubai's oldest known formal school, founded in 1912 by pearl merchant Sheikh Ahmed bin Dalmouk; alumni include founders of the Al Futtaim and Al Ghurair businesses, and it…

Walking directions

More walks in Dubai

• Al Fahidi lanes to the Bur Dubai souk1.7 km · 3 h 35 min
• Bur Dubai creekside to Al Shindagha2.1 km · 3 h 25 min
• Deira souks and Al Ras2.6 km · 3 h 15 min
• Safa Park to the Jumeirah heritage sites3.8 km · 2 h 45 min
• Oud Metha, Karama, Zabeel Park and the Dubai Frame3.6 km · 3 h 50 min
• Downtown: Burj Khalifa to the Museum of the Future4 km · 3 h 15 min
• Satwa and Al Hudaiba: Union House to Ravi's3 km · 3 h
• Kite Beach to the Burj Al Arab at dawn3.3 km · 2 h
• Al Quoz: warehouse coffee and the Alserkal galleries2 km · 3 h 30 min
• Karama: market, Kerala breakfast and manakish1.6 km · 2 h
• Hatta: waterfall dam, heritage village and the lake2.6 km · 3 h 30 min