Frequently Asked Questions | Wander With Nada

We do not hand you a flag and march you around landmarks. Nada has lived in the UAE for over 30 years and brings a genuine, lived-in perspective that no guidebook or scripted tour can replicate. Our tours are conversational, culturally rich, and built around real stories, not rehearsed monologues. Think of it as exploring with the most interesting friend you have ever had in any city.

In every way that matters. Big bus tours show you buildings through a window. We introduce you to a living culture through stories, flavours, and real human connection. You will not find headphones, hop-on-hop-off schedules, or generic commentary here. What you will find is Nada, a small group of curious travellers, and a side of Dubai that most people never discover.

Short answer: yes. Every single tour includes complimentary tastings, small group sizes, and a guide with 110+ media features who genuinely loves what she does. You are not paying for a walking encyclopaedia reading from cue cards. You are paying for depth, personality, and an experience that actually changes the way you see this city. Our hundreds of five-star reviews speak for themselves.

We are biased, obviously, but our Old Dubai Walking Tour is consistently rated one of the top experiences in the city for a reason. It takes you through the historic neighbourhoods most visitors completely overlook and pairs the stories with tastings that make the culture tangible. If you want the real Dubai, not the postcard version, this is it.

If you have got just one day, the Old Dubai Walking Tour gives you the deepest cultural experience in the shortest time. It is the essence of what makes this city fascinating, packed into a single morning. If you want the full picture, including modern Dubai, the Dubai Landmarks Tour covers both old and new in a full day.

We cap our groups at 12 people. This is non-negotiable. Anything larger and you lose the conversational, personal quality that makes our tours what they are. We are not a megaphone-and-matching-lanyard operation.

Every tour includes Nada as your guide, complimentary tastings of local food and drink, and all the cultural context you could want. Specific inclusions vary by tour, so check the individual tour page for the full breakdown. Transport is included on our driving tours. We never surprise you with add-ons or upsells.

Yes. The minimum age for group tours is 7 years old. For younger children, a private tour is needed so we can adjust the pace and format to suit them. Either way, Nada usually has activities on hand, from mini scavenger hunts to colouring sheets, to keep kids entertained and involved throughout. The little ones often end up being the most curious in the group.

All our tours are suitable for wheelchair users. We may adjust the pace to make sure everyone is comfortable, and depending on the experience, a private tour might be the better fit. Just get in touch before booking and we will figure out the best option together.

You can book directly through our website at wanderwithnada.com. Browse the tours, pick the one that speaks to you, select your date, and you are all set. For private or custom tours, drop us a message through the contact page and we will build something just for you.

We get it, plans change. Cancellation terms vary depending on whether you have booked a group or private tour. Full details appear at checkout and are outlined on our cancellation policy page. Worth a quick read before you lock things in.

Comfortable, breathable clothing and sturdy walking shoes are your best friends. If our tour includes a mosque visit (i.e. Abu Dhabi tours), both men and women will need to cover their shoulders and knees, and women will need a headscarf. Stylish attire will be provided for the ladies. Modesty in cultural and religious sites is important and appreciated. In summer months, avoid jeans and opt for lightweight fabrics.

You do not need to be training for a marathon. Our walking tours move at a comfortable, conversational pace with plenty of stops along the way. Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are your essentials. If you have specific mobility concerns, reach out and we will work with you.

Depends on the tour. Our driving tours (Dubai Landmarks, Abu Dhabi Cultural Tour, Sheikh Zayed Mosque, and the Ramadan Edition) come with chauffeured transport, hotel pick-up, and drop-off from select Dubai hotels. The Old Dubai Walking Tour is walking-only, so you will meet us at the starting point, though chauffeured transport can be added for private bookings. We share exact pick-up times the day before so you are not left guessing.

Yes, paid parking is available nearby, but heads up: the tour starts and ends at different locations. Most guests prefer taking a taxi or metro to skip the backtracking. We send all the details in your confirmation email, including the nearest metro stations.

Yes. We start and finish within a short walking distance of two different metro stations. While we do not use the metro during the tour, we can help you navigate it before or after.

Fair question. The UAE is spread out, and getting between sights takes real time. Add in speed limits, security protocols and bag scanning at major attractions, tour operator check-in procedures, and the genuinely long paths you need to walk just to reach certain landmarks (looking at you, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque), and the hours add up fast. We factor all of this into the tour duration so there are no surprises. Every minute is accounted for, and none of it is filler.

The sooner the better, especially for corporate events or larger groups. For smaller tours, a few days notice usually works if we have availability. Peak season runs from October through April, so during those months, try to book at least a week ahead. Last-minute requests? We will try, but no promises.

Extremely. The UAE is one of the safest countries in the world, and Old Dubai, while bustling, is perfectly safe for visitors. The souks, heritage areas, and creek district are well-patrolled and tourist-friendly. That said, having a local guide makes the experience infinitely richer and helps you navigate the labyrinthine souk alleyways without ending up buying ten pashminas you did not want.

Yes. The tour includes Arabic coffee, bottled water, and lunch as the grand finale, which is pre-ordered, non-vegetarian, and served on a sharing basis. Vegetarian options are minimal but available. Other tastings along the way are also included. Come hungry.

Nope, none whatsoever. You will visit markets for the stories and smells, not sales pitches.

The gold stays in the window. While we do visit the Gold Souk and explore its fascinating backstory, there is no time for actual shopping. The area has hundreds of shops and deserves its own outing. But you will leave knowing exactly what to look for when you come back.

If you have not walked Old Dubai with Nada, you have not really seen it. This tour goes deeper than photo ops. Think hidden corners, cultural deep dives, and stories that connect past to present. Long-term Dubai residents consistently tell us they learned more in one morning than in years of living here.

Yes, the total duration of 7 hours includes drive time. Dubai is a big, spread-out city, and distances between landmarks are factored into the timing. It is not all walking, promise.

No, we admire both from the ground. The tour includes photo stops at the world's tallest building and the museum, but there is no time allocated for entry. Those are separate experiences best done on your own time. Nada's cultural commentary from the outside is worth the stop regardless.

Completely private. Just you, the crew, and Nada.

An 8-hour cultural experience designed for visitors whose adult children live in Dubai. Nada entertains the parents while the kids get their day free. The itinerary covers Old Dubai's heritage sites, three boat experiences (Dubai Creek abra, a private Marina cruise, and Madinat Jumeirah abra), a visit to Jumeirah Mosque, a bespoke perfume experience at a family-run atelier, and a light meal. Chauffeured transport with hotel pick-up and drop-off is included, and the day wraps up with a handoff back to the family for dinner. Full details on the tour page.

Yes, all our Abu Dhabi tours depart from Dubai. Chauffeured transport with hotel pick-up and drop-off from select Dubai hotels is included. The drive is roughly 1.5 hours each way, and Nada uses the drive time to introduce you to the sights along the way with cultural commentary, so even the journey is part of the experience.

Strict, and it must be followed exactly to avoid being turned away by mosque security. Women: no white, no slits, no transparent fabrics. Sleeves and legs must be fully covered, and a veil is required. Men: long trousers and covered shoulders. No shorts, no sleeveless tops. For the ladies, stylish abayas and veils will be provided on loan by Nada.

Early morning or just before sunset. The light is better, the temperature is kinder, and the crowds are thinner. We time our tours accordingly.

All taken care of. Entry tickets are pre-arranged and included in the tour price. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque visit is also scheduled in advance with timed entry. We will send you the QR codes you need for entry and scanning, so all you have to do is show up.

No, it is self-led. Nada will brief you on the journey from Dubai and give tips on what to explore. To get the most out of it: download the free Louvre Abu Dhabi app in advance so you are ready to connect once you arrive, bring your own earphones if you want to listen to the audio guide, and focus on the galleries that genuinely interest you rather than trying to see everything.

Yes, respectfully. No peace signs, hand-holding poses, or props. Nada will brief you and even help capture your respectful, photo-worthy shots. The mosque is one of the most photogenic buildings in the world, so you will not be short on material.

Cover your knees and shoulders. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and see-through garments will not get you past the entrance. Comfortable shoes are a must too. Flip-flops and overly casual footwear? Leave them at the hotel.

That depends on what you are after. Group tours are intimate (max 12 people) and have a wonderful social energy. Private tours let us tailor every detail to your interests, pace, and schedule. If you are celebrating something special, travelling with family, or just prefer having Nada all to yourselves, go private. Either way, you are getting the same depth and quality.

Yes, every single one. All the tours listed on our site can be booked as private experiences. Just visit their individual pages for details and pricing.

We will ask a few easy questions to get a feel for your vibe, wishlist, and timeline. Then we send over a plan with what makes sense, what does not, what is included, and how much it will cost. No surprises, no hidden fees. Once you are happy, we lock it in.

Anything from a two-hour wander to a multi-day deep dive across the Emirates. Totally up to you.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. We can cover one city or all three, depending on how much of the UAE you want to see. We have been known to get creative with multi-day itineraries too.

Pricing reflects the private nature of the tour (read: no cost-sharing), but does include full attention and flexibility. You will get a clear breakdown before committing.

Absolutely. Depending on the tour duration, Nada will recommend specific eating times based on the schedule and where you are at the time. Hangry is not a great look for anyone.

Solo travellers, couples, families, corporate teams, VIP delegations, educators, students. If you are curious about the UAE, you are the right group.

A high-energy team-building experience set in the souks of Deira and Bur Dubai. Teams are split into squads of 4 to 6 and compete through 15+ clues that blend cultural discovery with local food tastings. It takes about 3 hours including a team briefing at the start. Think team bonding, but actually fun.

No strict minimum, but pricing is based on a minimum of 20 participants. The format actually gets better with bigger teams since everyone splits into squads of 4 to 6 and competes simultaneously. The rivalry gets real, fast.

AED 410 per person, inclusive of 5% VAT. Optional add-ons include winners' medals and the Elite Arrival package with corporate transport and an office briefing.

Yes, that is the Elite Arrival add-on. We come to you with round-trip corporate transport and kick things off with a pre-game briefing right at your office. Sets the tone nicely.

Yes. Winners' medals can be customized with your company branding, and we can explore other branding options too. Your logo, your colours, your bragging rights.

We do. Cultural workshops, private group tours, and custom corporate experiences, all tailored to your team's size, schedule, and goals. Tell us what you are after and we will design something that actually works. Get in touch and let us take it from there.

Yes, and honestly, Ramadan is one of the most special times to experience the UAE. The pace shifts, the community spirit intensifies, and there are experiences available during Ramadan that simply do not exist the rest of the year. We run our regular tours alongside a dedicated Ramadan Edition that includes an iftar at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

A 6.5-hour experience that combines a guided cultural tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with a communal iftar on the mosque grounds at sunset. The iftar includes dates, soup, salad, chicken biryani, fruits, juices, and bottled water, all served by the mosque itself. It is a deeply moving, culturally rich experience that most visitors never get to see.

The same modest dress code applies as for any mosque visit, but during Ramadan, modesty is especially appreciated across public spaces in general. Cover your shoulders and knees, and dress respectfully. For the mosque-specific dress code, Nada provides stylish abayas and veils on loan for the ladies.

Yes. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, eating and drinking in public during Ramadan is permitted, and restaurants are open for both dine-in and takeaway throughout the day. That said, being mindful and respectful of those fasting is always appreciated. Other emirates may have different guidelines, so it is worth checking locally. Once the sun sets, the city comes alive with iftar gatherings and night markets. For more on Ramadan etiquette, check our Ramadan guide.