Through the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood | Coming Soon in UAE

Join our Telegram Channel to receive updates faster!

We invite you to take a walk-through of Dubai’s rich history as you wander around the quaint and quiet little neighborhood of Al Fahidi. Situated in the heart of Dubai, this, once a busy bustling bazaar is now Dubai’s last-living memory of an era that pre-dates the UAE as we know it today.

The sandstone architecture along with long alleyways that lead to different homes is in stark contrast to the Dubai beyond the four walls of Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood. Stepping into Al Fahidi will literally transport you back in time to an age where the village was populated by palm-fronted homes, narrow lanes, and beautiful open rooftops serving the best views of the vast desert.

 

Divided into fifty small homes, this marketplace-turned museum is home to a variety of little artifacts that take you through the journey of old Dubai and its rich past. Rooted in culture and deriving its inspiration from the ancient Bedouin lifestyle, Bastakiya – as it is known locally – hosts many small cafés, art and design galleries as well as food walks and guided tours for curious tourists! Along with being a bustling spot for the city’s best events, it is also home to the Sikka Arts Festival, an annual celebration of culture with events including live performances, poetry, readings, and art exhibitions.

 Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

A visit to the Al-Fahidi neighborhood is a great way to understand the traditional life of Emiratis and to know more about the past of Dubai. It’s sometimes easy for tourists and even residents of the city to experience only the new, most modern features of Dubai and think that is all that there is to this city. But all it takes is a little exploration by the creek-side and a few steps beyond Downtown, and there’s a whole different world that exists. Each home in Al Fahidi has its own history and story to tell, hidden within the restored maze, which is easily explored on an aimless wander, is a short section of the old city wall from 1800.

 

We recommend you start your tour at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, then move on to the Coins Museum that is home to over 470 rare coins throwing a spotlight on the monetary system of colonial times. Coffee lovers can stop by the coffee museum that hosts regular talks on the city’s love for coffee and enthusiasts can enjoy a history lesson while sipping on some traditional Arabic coffee. Finally, call it a night at the Bastakiah Nights restaurant, which offers a traditional Al-fresco dining experience and has a menu that boasts of the best Middle Eastern cuisine- highly recommended if you’d like to taste some traditional dishes and sweet treats!

Al Fahidi District

By Priyanka Rajput

 

 

Article Categories

Article Tags

Related Articles

Discover unforgettable ways to ring in the UAE’s 50th National Day in Dubai - Coming Soon in UAE Discover unforgettable ways to ring in the UAE’s 50th National Day in Dubai
02 December 2021
Enjoy a plethora of entertainment across the city to ring in the UAE’s jubilee anniversary!
Top 8 Recommended Places To Drop By In Dubai - Coming Soon in UAE Top 8 Recommended Places To Drop By In Dubai
16 November 2021
The most famous holiday spot of the United Arab Emirates is, with no surprise, Dubai.
Al Seef Creek Festival - Coming Soon in UAE Al Seef Creek Festival
04 November 2021
From creative art and crafts workshops for kids to fitness sessions and Emirati musical performances, Al Seef Creek Festival has waterfront activities for everyone in the historical heart of Dubai.
Celebrating UAE Flag Day - Coming Soon in UAE Celebrating UAE Flag Day
03 November 2021
On this day, UAE flags are raised over federal ministries and departments all over the country at 11 AM, the same time the UAE National Anthem sounds.

Heritage