| Deira (Dubai) | |
 | |
| State | United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|
Deira is a district of the city of Dubai.
To know
It is the traditional commercial center of Dubai and the Creek and its dhows were the historic means of transport. Today Deira is divided into two parts. There are the old souks (gold and spice) near the waterfront and the Dubai International Airport which covers much of the area inland from the creek. Deira suffers a lot from traffic congestion as the bridges to Bur Dubai are at full capacity during rush hour. Traditional life still takes place in the hidden streets.
Geographical notes
Deira is the area of Dubai north of the Creek and south of the border with Sharjah.
How to orient yourself
Deira: full screen map.Neighborhoods
- 1 Al Ras
- 2 Al Rigga
- 3 Port Saeed
- 4 Naif
- 5 Riggat Al Buteen
How to get
By plane
- 1 Dubai International Airport (IATA: DXB). The airport is located within the district.
By public transport
The red and green lines of the Dubai Metro connect Deira with Bur Dubai.
Deira City Center Terminal
- 2 Abu Hail bus terminal (850 m from Abu Hail metro station.). From this terminal buses depart and arrive for Muscat of the Mawsalat company.
- 3 Deira City Center Terminal, Port Saeed (Deira City Center metro stop). From this terminal buses leave for Sharjah by bus E307, it can take about 1 hour and costs 10 dirhams (Feb 2020). Timetables are available on RTA website.
By car
Deira is connected with Bur Dubai by five bridges over the Creek, namely the 4 Al Maktoum bridge, the 5 floating bridge, the 6 Al Garhoud bridge, the 7 Business Bay Crossing and the 8 Al Shindagha tunnel. All bridges charge road tolls.
On a boat
Some small ferries called heritage abra cross the Creek from Bur Dubai. One path goes from the 9 Bur Dubai station at the western end of the Textile Souk in Bur Dubai until 10 spice souk terminal by Deira. The other main route goes from the 11 old station of the souk, in the middle of the textile souk, at the 12 Al Sabkha station in Deira. The journey costs 1 dirham, payable to the driver after the boat has left the station. Abra leaves very regularly and the service is available 24 hours a day. These Motorized Abras are operated by RTA every 10-20 minutes[link not working] from 7:00 to midnight and cost 2 dirhams per person.
How to get around
By public transport
Meter
Metro stations:
- Green Line
- 13 Al Ras (الراس).
- 14 Baniyas Square.
- 15 Palm Deira.
- 16 Abu Hail. Near the bus station of the same name
- Red line
- 17 Al Rigga, Al Rigga Rd.
- 18 Deira City Center. From this station you will find the E307 bus stop for the Al Jubail Terminal in Sharjah.
- 19 Airport terminal 1.
- 20 Airport terminal 3.
By bus
- 21 Gold Souq Market bus terminal (connection to the Palm Deira metro station).
What see
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Al Ahmadiya School and Heritage House
- 1 Al Ahmadiya School and Heritage House, Al Ahmadiya St (Metro: Al Ras (green line)), ☎ 971 4 226 0286.
free. 
Sat-Thu 8: 00-19: 30, Fri 14: 30-19: 30. Built in 1912, Al Ahmadiya School was Dubai's first school and has now been lovingly restored. Finds of old pens and diplomas would be hard to call fascinating, but they tried pretty hard, and if nothing else, the air conditioning and clean bathrooms might come in handy. The attached heritage house is a traditional Emirati style house built in 1890.
free. 
Sat-Thu 8: 00-19: 30, Fri 14: 30-19: 30. Built in 1912, Al Ahmadiya School was Dubai's first school and has now been lovingly restored. Finds of old pens and diplomas would be hard to call fascinating, but they tried pretty hard, and if nothing else, the air conditioning and clean bathrooms might come in handy. The attached heritage house is a traditional Emirati style house built in 1890.
Deira Clock Tower
- 2 Deira Clock Tower (Dubai Clocktower), Abu Baker Al Siddiqe Rd 110 junction Al Maktoum Rd 105 (8 min from Deira City Center or Al Rigga metro stations). A landmark of Deira and an important monument built before UAE independence.
Dhow on display
- 3 Dhow mooring quay, Baniyas Rd (Deira City Center or Al Rigga metro stations). Dhows are typical boats of this area of the world that cross the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, transporting goods between South and Southwest Asia and East Africa.
Mamzar Park
- 4 Mamzar Park, 104 Al Khaleej Rd (most of the northern peninsula of Dubai, near Sharjah), ☎ 971 50 858 9897. 5 dirham / person. Sun – Wed 8: 00-22: 00, Thu-Sat 8: 00-23: 00. Mondays and Wednesdays only for women. You can swim at Al Mamzar beach or walk in the park. While less popular than other Dubai parks, it does have its share of greenery.
- 5 Dubai Municipal Museum, Old Baladiya St junction Al Souk Al Kabeer St (near the Spice Souk, opposite the Abra ferry station, back entrance via stairs), ☎ 971 4 225 3312, fax: 971 4 225 1568. Sun – Thu 9: 00-15: 00.
Naive police museum
- 6 Women's Museum (Women's Museum), 28 St Al Dhagaya (Close to the Gold Souk), ☎ 971 4 234 2342, 971 55 667 2447, @[email protected]. 20 dirham / person. Sat – Thu 10: 00-19: 00. It emphasizes the contribution of women to the UAE's economy, culture and politics for independence in the 1960s and beyond. It tells the life of great women and the daily life of the Emirates. An exhibition is also dedicated to the famous Emirati poet Ousha bint Khalifa Suwidi.
- 7 Naive police museum (Naif Police Museum), 106 Naif Rd crossing 9A St (In the "Fort Naif" police station, 600 m from Baniyas Square metro station), ☎ 971 4 515 5000, @[email protected]. Free. Sun – Thu 8: 00-14: 00.
- 8 Mawaheb art studio, Historical Neighborhood villa 11, ☎ 971 4 352 8328. Free. Sun-Thu 8: 30-14: 30. A space for artists who exhibit and sell their works.
What to do
Creek boats
- 1 Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, Bani Yas Rd, 476, ☎ 971 4 222 7171. This leisure center is an ideal destination for golfers. It offers a wide range of services, floodlit courses, modern golf academies and driving ranges. Visitors can enjoy a round of golf, hire a private boat to enjoy the calm waters or go for a swim.
- 2 Dinner Dhow Cruises, Pier 1 in Dhow Wharfage, Baniyas Rd, ☎ 971 4 336 8407, 971 4 336 8409, fax: 971 4 336 8411, @[email protected]. 200 dirham / person. the tour starts every hour, from 8:30 pm onwards. A 2 hour "5 star" dhow cruise tour along Dubai Creek with English commentary.
- 3 Stroll along the Creek. The Creek is a great place to watch life go by and the countless boats that crowd the canal. The atmosphere is even more beautiful at sunset when the colors get warmer.
Shopping
Deira City Center
- 1 City Center Deira, Banyias Rd, Alittihad Rd (Deira City Center Metro Station, next to the floating bridge), ☎ 971 4 295 1010, @[email protected]. Sun – Wed 10: 00–22: 00, Thu – Sat 10: 00–24: 00. By far the most popular mall in Dubai. , Virgin Megastore, Zara and other international brands. A multiplex cinema and many restaurants and cafes. It also has a large "Arabian Treasures" gift shop and a traditional textile area. A new extension includes many more high-end boutiques and luxury restaurants. A large Carrefour hypermarket sells practically everything and is almost always very busy. There is a Sofitel hotel at one end of the center where there are bars and restaurants serving alcohol.
Markets
Gold souk
- 2 Gold souk (Gold Souk), 106 Sikkat Al Khail Rd. Not a shopping center, but a "historical market" that has been part of Dubai since the origins of the city itself. Located at the mouth of the river, it amazes people by selling gold in large quantities and with little visible security. A must visit for shoppers and tourists. Most of the gold is 22-karat quality and quite expensive - although shopkeepers here too are quick to haggle - and the craftsmanship can be remarkably detailed. Gold items are sold by weight with a "charge" added on top to cover the workmanship. It pays, therefore, to shop armed with the current gold price and a knowledge to refine the bargaining process. Many outlets are part of chains that also have branches in shopping malls, so they are generally reliable.
Spice souk
- 3 Spice souk (Spice Souk), 34 St. As above, not a shopping mall, but a historic market that has been a part of Dubai since its inception. Located at the mouth of the creek, it's not far from the Gold Souk, but it has sadly declined somewhat in recent years as supermarkets take over the spice trade. If you're actually shopping for spices, chances are you'll get better prices and quality with a lot less hassle at Carrefour. Both the Spice Souk and the Gold Souq are a rather hot and sweaty experience with limited air conditioning, so wear suitably cool and baggy clothing if visiting in mid-summer. The individual shops are air-conditioned. Although regularly visited by tourists, none of the souks are considered a tourist area and as such modest clothing should be worn to avoid offending or attracting unwanted attention.
Fish market
- 4 Fish market, At Mina Rd crossing Baniyas Rd (close to the Palm Deira metro station). A modern covered market where they sell various types of fish and seafood, as well as fruit, vegetables, dates (and some cooking utensils).
- 5 Traditional souk, Naive neighborhood (10 minutes from Baniyas Square metro station). Mon-Sun 9: 00-22: 00, but most shops are closed on Friday mornings. Air-conditioned souk, nice decoration and good infrastructure, let's say almost a shopping mall. 100 shops and 6,100 square meters. Khalid Huriah Public restaurant in the middle
How to have fun
Shows
- 1 Cinecity - Al Ghurair Center, Al Ghurair City, Al Riqqah St, ☎ 971 4 228 9898. Formerly Grand Cinemas, now Cinecity, is the largest cinema chain in the Middle East. It is part of the Novo Cinemas group. This 8-screen cinema complex with 14 shops has 2 levels.
- 2 VOX Deira City Center, Deira City Center, ☎ 971 600 599905. VOX has 11 screens with various types of experiences for movie lovers. The immersive experience of 3D DepthQ technology, reclining seats, VIP seats, 20-meter screens and brighter, clearer images is their latest addition.
Where to eat
Where stay
Moderate prices
- Auris Plaza Hotel, 390531, Dubai, UAE, ☎ 971 4 455 4800, @[email protected]. Check-out: 18.00.
