OLD DUBAI WALKING TOUR

A small-group walking tour through Old Dubai’s souks, Creek, and heritage alleys. Rich with stories, spice, and soul.

TOUR DETAILS

Price

Starting from:

  • AED 425 per adult for group tours

  • AED 1,665 for private tours

Meeting point

Just outside the Al Shindagha Museum Welcome Center near the Al Ghubaiba Metro Station, Entrance no. 4 on the Green Line.

Availability

Check the calendar for available tour dates and times.

Duration

Approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.

Group size

Max 12 guests for group tours.

Participation requirements

Moderate walking required. Suitable for ages 7 and up. Comfortable shoes strongly recommended.

Included

  • Licensed Cultural Guide: Wander with Nada a.k.a cultural storyteller, UAE insider, and your go-to guide for all things Old Dubai.

  • All Entry Fees: Admission is covered, no tickets to chase or lines to figure out.

  • Spice Sampling: Get hands-on at the souk and try aromatic blends that tell Dubai’s trade story in scent and flavor.

  • Arabic Coffee (Gahwa): Sip a warm cup of tradition, lightly spiced, always welcoming.

  • Traditional Lunch: Enjoy a family-style Middle Eastern meal that blends Emirati heritage with Dubai’s multicultural roots.

  • Small Group Vibe: With just 12 guests, you’ll have space to ask, wander, and connect. No crowd control needed, just good company and great conversation.

TOUR OVERVIEW

Dubai’s historic beginnings tell a story like no other and this tour dives right into it. We’ll trace the city’s transformation from humble trading port to cultural crossroads, starting at a museum that unpacks its journey from desert to global destination. From there, we’ll explore the scent-swirled Spice Souk, gold-lined markets, and the iconic Dubai Creek via a breezy abra ride. The charming Al Fahidi neighborhood comes next, with its towering wind towers and timeless tales. We’ll sip Arabic coffee, swap stories, and close the experience with a local meal that captures the essence of Dubai’s soul: warm, diverse, and unforgettable.

Culture Seekers & Story Lovers

Curious about the UAE beyond the skyscrapers? This tour is ideal for travelers who crave authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences (the kind you won't find in a guidebook). From Emirati history to everyday life, it's a local's look at Dubai's cultural core.

WHY THIS TOUR

Exclusive Local Access

Step inside hidden corners of Old Dubai that most tourists miss, from heritage sites to family-run spice shops. We go beyond the obvious for a true insider’s experience.

Led by a Cultural Insider

With 30+ years in the UAE, Nada’s storytelling brings Dubai’s past to life. It’s not just a tour, it’s history, humor, and human connection, all rolled into one unforgettable walk.

Save Time, Soak in More

Don't waste time figuring it out on your own. This curated route gives you the essence of Old Dubai in just a few enriching hours. Stories, souks, and creek views included.

Small Group Vibes

We keep it cozy. Max 12 guests so you can ask questions, hear every story, and actually connect with your guide and group. Think of it as a cultural salon on foot.

Perfect for Residents & Visitors

Whether you’ve lived here for years or you’re a first-timer, this tour lets you see Dubai with fresh eyes. Rich with stories you may miss in the rush, and flavors that linger long after the walk ends.

Want to join a group tour?

Prefer a private experience?

Planning together? Share this tour with your travel buddy.

WHAT PAST WANDERERS ARE SAYING

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Testimonials - Old Dubai Walking Tour

Best day of our Dubai trip!

Booking with Nada was super easy and she communicated clearly about meeting time/point. Nada is so knowledgeable about Dubai and its culture that this ended up being the highlight of our Dubai trip. She took the time to answer all of our sometimes silly questions about Dubai and her deep insight helped us to understand this fabulous city even better. Her tour went to some places that we probably wouldn't have picked on our own, but they ended up being very interesting sites and Nada's inside knowledge helped us get more out of these sites than if we went alone. She treated us like friends and even helped us navigate the metro and find other things to do when the tour was done. I would hands down recommend Nada to anyone considering a tour of Dubai that adds some local insight and levity to many of the old town highlights.

- senor_boom (via TripAdvisor)

Wander with Nada was the highlight of my time in Dubai.

My husband was in Dubai for a business trip and I decided to join him. I didn't want to just hang out alone at the hotel or mall all day while he worked. I wanted to see more of Dubai. I was reluctant to go too far on my own, so I booked a day tour with Nada. I was nervous as I made my way alone to our meeting point, but as soon as Nada walked up I relaxed and trusted her to make sure I had a great day. We spent the day exploring a side of Dubai that I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. We visited the two museums, the souks/markets, took a boat ride and shared a great meal. Nada is very knowledgeable, professional, and passionate. She is happy to answer any question. As an amateur travel photographer, I also loved that she pointed out all of the great photo spots. I learned so much about Dubai, the UAE and the Emirati culture. I also learned a lot about the many immigrants that live in Dubai. By the end of the day, I felt that I had made a new friend. I joined my husband later for dinner buzzing with new information about fascinating Dubai beyond the skyscrapers and luxury hotels.

- Selena J (via TripAdvisor)

Fantastic tour of Old Dubai and Deira Spice Souk

We are longtime (27 years!) residents of Dubai, but decided to take the tour to see if we could discover anything new. Nada was fantastic, from her very clear pre-tour communication onwards. Although the areas were well known to us, Nada brought to it another level of detail, with snippits of information that gave the familiar a whole new dimension! She has so much to share regarding the areas we visited, that we came away seeing things from a fresh perspective. I would definitely recommend her for her knowledge, friendliness and also for the follow-up regarding where one can source certain products, etc. Most newcomers to Dubai only see the new, shiny side of it - would strongly suggest they take a tour of old Dubai with Nada.

- kaibee (via TripAdvisor)

Great tour guide!

I'm a single dad traveling with my 2 young kids for Spring Break. Nada was very helpful in helping us plan for this trip. Her tour of old Dubai was excellent. We were able to see the typical tourist spots as well as some places that we would not have experienced on our own. Nada was great at keeping my youngest engaged throughout the entire tour. We highly recommend her. Thank you Nada for making this a tour my kids won't forget for a long time.

- MoccasinsDirect (via TripAdvisor)

Absolutely amazing tour of old dubai!

By far one of the best tours I’ve been on, the 4 hours flew by. I have lived in dubai for years (and have been to old dubai plenty of times), however chose to go on this tour as I had friends visiting. Even after having lived here for a while, I cannot emphasize how much I learned on this tour, from Nada. Nada was absolutely great, has such extensive knowledge of the area and from her own experience living in dubai. The lunch spot she took us to had authentic food and a great atmosphere. The “experiments” in the spice Souk were so interesting. And she was kind enough to capture photos of us and share them post the tour. We even left with a little momento from Nada. She seems to keep the groups small which makes it a lot more intimate and easy to ask questions. I would highly recommend Wander With Nada tours, totally worth it!

- Delicianna (via TripAdvisor)

Walking Tour of Old Dubai

I cannot recommend Nada enough! My family and I did the walking tour of Old Dubai and loved it. Nada knew so much about the history of Dubai and it seemed like there wasn't a question we asked that she didn't know the answer to. It was the perfect mix of history, sight seeing, shopping in the souk and eating (an ideal day for me!). We could have walked around with Nada all day and we were surprised how quickly the four hours went by! Be sure to book a tour with her when you're in Dubai. You won't be disappointed!
** Pro tip: if you're planning on buying anything from the souk, have her help you negotiate the pice. She's a wiz!

- Alex W (via TripAdvisor)

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Roughly 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on pace and curiosity. We won’t sprint. The tour moves naturally, with time to soak in the setting and stories.

  • No mosque visits = no robes required. Just dress for the weather, lightweight and breathable in summer (avoid jeans!), and comfortable shoes for cobbled streets.

  • No, chauffeured transport is not included. The meet and farewell points are both easy to reach by metro or taxi. For private tours, chauffeured transport can be added upon check-out. We’ll pick you up and drop you off from select Dubai hotels. Exact timings to be shared 1 day prior to.  

  • Yes, paid parking is available nearby, but heads up: the tour starts and ends at different locations. Most guests prefer to take a taxi or metro to avoid any backtracking. We’ll share all the details in your confirmation.

  • Yes, we start and finish within a short walking distance of two different metro stations. While we don’t use the metro on tour, happy to help you navigate it before or after.

  • Yes! From spice-sampling to scent rooms, this isn’t your average dry history lesson. Even video game addicts and eye-rolling teens end the day talking about how cool it was. Nada adjusts her pace and storytelling to keep young brains engaged.

  • Yes, we can adapt the tour for wheelchair users. Routes are thoughtfully planned. Just mention your needs when booking, and we’ll make sure everyone rolls through comfortably.

  • If you haven’t walked Old Dubai with Nada, you haven’t really seen it. This tour goes deeper than photo ops. Think hidden corners, cultural deep dives, and stories that connect past to present.

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

  • Nope, the gold stays in the window. While we do visit the Gold Souk and explore its fascinating backstory, there’s no time for actual shopping. The area has hundreds of shops and deserves its own outing. We do allow a quick 10-minute browse in the Spice Souk for small purchases.

  • 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 are available so please do ensure to note the same when booking. Anything additional will be covered at your own cost e.g. soft drinks, additional food.

  • Varies for group and private bookings. Full details appear at checkout and are outlined here: https://wanderwithnada.com/booking-policy

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