Bur Dubai creekside to Al Shindagha

From the metro through Al Fahidi Fort and the Textile Souk, then along the creek to the restored houses of Al Shindagha where Dubai's rulers lived.

Best time: October-April; in summer (May-September) Dubai is extremely hot and humid, so walk early morning or after sunset and use the indoor stops.

The route, stop by stop

1. 1
   Sharaf DG Metro Station

   Start at the metro station (formerly Al Fahidi). 0 min

2. 2
   Al Fahidi Fort (Dubai Museum)

   Fort and dioramas of old Dubai. 45 min

   Built from about 1787, the fort is described as Dubai's oldest existing building; the museum opened in 1971 and its underground galleries hold life-size dioramas of the pre-oil…

3. 3
   Dubai Textile Souk

   Cloth and tailors by the creek. 20 min

   Bur Dubai's old cloth market on the creek, facing the Spice and Gold souks across the water; once the hub of the textile trade, now mixed with tourist stalls and tailors.

4. 4
   Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House

   Ruler's house, nine galleries. 60 min

   Built around 1896 as the seat of the Al Maktoum family and home of ruler Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum until 1958; now a museum in nine wings with old Dubai photos, marine life, coins…

5. 5
   Sheikh Obaid bin Thani House

   1916 house of sea stone and gypsum. 20 min

   A 1916 house built of sea stone, gypsum and mud, the former home of Sheikh Obaid bin Thani, now a small museum in the Shindagha heritage strip.

6. 6
   Camel Museum

   Camel-riding house of Sheikh Rashid. 30 min

   The former 'Camel-Riding House' (Beit Al Rekab), built in 1940 for Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed, now explains camel history, racing, anatomy and care in Arab life.

Walking directions

More walks in Dubai

• Al Fahidi lanes to the Bur Dubai souk1.7 km · 3 h 35 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