Cultural Tours in Dubai & Abu Dhabi

Which Tour Is Right for You?

It depends on how much time you have and what you want to understand. Here is how I would choose if I were on the other side of the booking.

You have half a day in Dubai

Take the Old Dubai Walking Tour. 4.25 hours on foot from Al Shindagha, across the Creek by abra, through the Spice and Gold Souks and Al Fahidi, with tastings along the way and an Emirati meal at the end. If you only do one thing with me, make it this one.

You want to know how modern Dubai happened

The Dubai Landmarks Tour is a private 7-hour day with hotel pick-up, from The View at The Palm to a private yacht ride in Dubai Marina, with the context that makes the skyline make sense. It is the new city, start to finish. If you want the souks and the skyline in the same day, that is a Private Custom Tour, and I will build it around your hours.

You want to see Abu Dhabi from Dubai

Two options, and they are genuinely different. The Abu Dhabi Cultural Tour is the full day, 11 hours: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan and Louvre Abu Dhabi. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque tour is 5.75 hours and gives the mosque the time it deserves, then finishes at Wahat Al Karama across the road. Both are private and include transport from your hotel in Dubai. Take the first for breadth. Take the second to understand one building properly.

Your parents are visiting and you have work

The Dubai Parents’ Day Out Tour is built for UAE residents with family in town. I take them for the day, 10am to 6pm, and you meet them at the last stop in time for dinner.

You want your own plan

A Private Custom Tour can be a 2-hour wander or a multi-day trip across the Emirates, built around what you actually care about.

You are bringing a team

The Old Dubai Corporate Scavenger Hunt is 3 hours, starts at the Deira Spice Souk and is built for groups of 20 or more.

Who Leads Your Tour

Me. I am Nada Badran, and I have called the UAE home for more than 30 years. I am licensed to guide in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and I am a licensed Louvre Abu Dhabi external guide. Before guiding I was a strategy consultant, and I hosted a travel show on CNN Arabic. More about me, or see the press. If you are looking specifically for a female tour guide in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, here is what that means on my tours.

Before You Book

What should I wear?
Comfortable shoes, always. For the mosque, women need full coverage and a headscarf, and on my mosque tours I bring coverups for the women in the group. My guide to what to wear in the UAE has the rest.

Can I change or cancel?
Yes, within the terms of the changes and cancellation policy.

Still not sure?
The FAQ answers most questions, and the contact page reaches me directly.

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