“Imagine a land, a faraway place, where the caravan camels roam…” Will Smith’s lyrics from Arabian Nights aptly describes the golden sands of Dubai and the glistening skyline that seems like it almost belongs in a modern version of the Arabian Nights.
Dubai is known for its futuristic cities, high-tech automobiles and a sci-fi like experience but there is another version this city holds in its land – a version that is a tale as old as time.
With old wooden boats sailing the waters of the creek, belly dancers swinging their hips in an enchanting dance and bazaars filled with the scent of spices and tinge of gold, these old places in Dubai can fit into the stories of the 1001 Arabian nights. There are multiple tours that gives you the fascinating experience of visiting Dubai’s magical places.
So come on down,
Stop on by,
Hop a carpet and fly
To another Arabian Night!
Experience the Bedouins’ Ancient Hunting with Falconry
If you’ve seen movies, series or cartoons of Arabian culture where the sultans pet their falcons and the soldiers train them to be their trusted hunting companions, it’s not far from the truth.
Falconry is an age-old practice in the Middle East stemming thousands of years ago. Falcons were tamed and used for hunting and delivering messages as the harsh environment of the dry and vast desert proved it to be extremely challenging. Falcons were seen as companions of the Bedouin tribes who would treat these predators of the skies in respect. In fact, this practice is so ancient, that historians can’t pinpoint exactly when this method of Falconry first started.
Today, though food isn’t scarce, and messages can be delivered in seconds, the Arabs have kept the sports of Falconry alive as part of their cultural heritage. These birds are treated with utmost care and is named as the national bird of the UAE.
Visitors can witness this ancient practice of Falconry with a private desert ride or a small group tour at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve where you get to see not just falconry but also wild gazelles, onyxes and eagles.
Shop for Magic Lamps in Old Bazaars
While it might not bring out a blue-colored, hilarious genie that can grant your wishes, it will add a touch of sparkle and magic to your showpiece and travel collections. The bazaars in Dubai not only has everything that shimmers and shines with gold-colored items but you’ll find lamps in the exact shape as those in Aladdin.
Head to Madinat Jumeirah, an indoor vibrant marketplace that mirrors the bustling bazaars of the Arabian tales. This air-conditioned souq is a visual delight with beautiful ancient Arabic architecture with its traditional wind-tower structures and ornate details. Merchants and sellers showcase their goods from traditional garments to tea sets all laid out inside and outside the shops. The scent of aromatic buqoor (Arabic incense) spread around the place add to the experience, bringing about a truly magical feel.
The ‘Gold and Spice Souk Dubai’ is also a treasure trove of exotic good. The Gold Souk is a dazzling spectacle where you can buy gold jeweler with designs found in Arabian stories. And just a short distance away from the Gold Souq, you will come across the Spice Souk providing a sensory overload with its array of aromatic spices, herbs and exotic ingredients.
Dubai: Souks, Street Food and Abra
Just a short distance away, the Spice Souk is a collection of aromatic spices, herbs, and exotic ingredients. The vibrant colors and rich scents transport visitors to the spice bazaars of old and you can shop for seasonings that adds a Middle Eastern touch to your dishes.
Sail Across the Creek on Arabian Boats
If you’re wondering what Bagdad would have felt like in the 1001 Nights, head straight to Dubai Abra. The traditional wooden boats parked by the banks of the vibrant markets is like a scene from the picture books of the Arabian Nights.
Visitors can also take the Abra ride across Dubai Creek and experience what it’s like to sail on these old-style wooden boats with markets on both sides and sea gulls accompanying you along the journey. The Abra Ride Dubai isn’t just a tourist attraction. It can be used to cross the creek to the other part of the city.
Wind through the old walkways of Al Seef
A unique place located along the historic Dubai Creek, Al Seef is a blend of the old and new. The place is created with the old Barjeel-style buildings (traditional Arabian wind towers made of sand that were once used as a natural cooling system in the desert) while providing shops and restaurants of the most modern kind.
Walking through the alleyways of Al Seef will remind you of the streets in the 1001 Arabian Nights, which showcased trading ports and ancient Arabian marketplaces. While keeping its historic charm, Al Seef is also a place where you can feast on different kinds of foods from Middle Eastern delicacies to international fast foods.
Al Seef is also a place of celebration during annual festivals, cultural events and special occasions where dancers put on a show and fireworks light up the skies. For an added experience, you can stay at the Al Seef Heritage Hotel. The hotel is made across 10 Bayts (traditional Arabian homes) that combine traditional, artisan design with contemporary service and comfort.
Hot Air Balloon Over the Desert
Dubai is both a glimmering line of skyscrapers as well as a never-ending stretch of golden sand dunes. And there’s no better way to see both than from an aerial view! Take a hot air balloon ride and experience how Aladdin and Jasmin felt to go on a magic carpet ride above the sand dunes and Agrabah’s city scape. You can catch a hot air balloon in the desert or fly above the famous Atlantis.
Watch Belly Dances and Tanoura performances
When you’re in the land of Arabs, dancing along with the tunes of Arabic music is a must! Performed by women for the royal court, cultural festivals and social setting in the ancient times, belly dancing has been around for more than 5000 years and still survives to this day.
Book yourself a belly dance show or a Tanora performance or have an all-in-one combo with a desert safari where you get to ride the waves of the sand dunes, watch belly dancing, stay in a Bedouin tent and eat Middle Eastern style barbecue.
Stay in a Sultan-style Resort
Experience the luxury of a sultan by staying at the glamorous Jumeirah Al Qasr or the luxurious Bab Al Shams resort. These two hotels not only give their guests a royal treatment, but their location also provides an experience of its own.
Jumeirah Al Qasr is situated in the famous Madinat Al Jumeirah while the Bab Al Shams resort is like a magical oasis amidst the vast desert.
The hotel’s exquisite architecture and lavish accommodations evoke the palaces and opulent settings described in the tale, where sultans and viziers lived in splendor. These resorts provide a regal retreat, offering a taste of the luxury and comfort that characterize the grandest stories of Arabian Nights.
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Book Your Ultimate Dubai Tour With Us!
Planning trips to Dubai? Our Dubai Old and Modern City Tour is your perfect gateway to explore the city’s rich history and vibrant modernity. From ancient souks to dazzling skyscrapers, we craft personalized experiences that make your Dubai journey unforgettable. Book now or email us at atworldsorigins@gmail.com and let us handle the planning for a stress-free travel of your dreams.