About Bur Dubai
Bur Dubai is the cradle of heritage in Dubai. It was the first original settlement in the emirate before it transformed into the modern metropolis that it is today.
Located on the western side of Dubai Creek, ‘Bur Dubai’ translates to ‘Mainland Dubai’, referring to Bur Dubai’s separation from Deira by the Dubai Creek. In the past, people had to use an abra (a traditional wooden boat) to go from Bur Dubai to Deira and vice versa. Today, they use the Al Maktoum Bridge and Al Shindagha Tunnel, which connect both neighbourhoods.
Bur Dubai is like a time capsule, where Dhows (traditional boats) loaded with everything from textiles to technology dominate the Dubai Creek. They invoke the spirit of Dubai’s original trading roots, which shaped it into the trade hub that it is today.
In contrast to Dubai’s modern architecture and new ports for massive ships, Bur Dubai displays its rich history unapologetically. It brims with bustling squares and narrow streets that hold both residential corners and commercial hubs together like beads on a string. For those reasons, it’s a popular spot for those who want to experience Old Dubai.
A Closer Look at Bur Dubai
Adding to its importance is the fact that it houses many consulates, temples, and the Ruler’s Court. Not only that, but it’s also the site of many tourist hotspots, including renovated historic buildings and museums.
Popular landmarks include the Al Fahidi Historical District, also known as Al Bastakiya, Al Shindagha Historical District, the Dubai Museum, the Textile Souk, the blue-tiled Iranian Mosque, and the Grand Mosque which features the city’s tallest minaret. Shopping streets and dinner cruises on dhow boats also abound in the area.
Bur Dubai even has a Hindu temple that dates back to the 1960s, which made it a home base for many expat Indian families. As a result, there are many Indian restaurants and shops in the area.
Moreover, Bur Dubai contains many subcommunities such as Oud Metha, Al Mankhool, Al Jaddaf, Culture Village, Al Karama, Al Raffa, and Umm Hurair, making it a very popular place to rent apartments in Dubai.
The plethora of amenities in the area boosts its popularity, as there are many schools, parks, clinics, cafes, and restaurants in Bur Dubai.
Properties in Bur Dubai
There’s a wide variety of properties available in Bur Dubai thanks to the many districts it includes. Here you’ll find modern mid-rise apartment buildings, older ones with vintage apartments, hotel apartments, and even villas.
Generally speaking, Bur Dubai is known for offering cheap apartments for rent in Dubai, although prices vary by area and building. Areas like Al Fahidi and Al Raffa are quite affordable, while Jaddaf, Oud Metha, and Al Mankhool are on the pricier side.
You will find studios, 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom apartments, as well as villas that go up to 6 bedrooms and more. The majority of apartment buildings are located in Oud Metha, Al Jaddaf, Al Hamriyah, and Al Raffa. These are mostly low and mid-rise buildings that get rented out quickly thanks to their affordable prices and amenities close by. Moreover, since some of the buildings are quite old, most of the apartments are unfurnished.
Those looking for villas in Bur Dubai will find them in Mankhool, Al Hamriya, and Al Kifaf. These units are quite spacious and come with a whole host of amenities.
Given its buzzing commercial scene, it makes sense for Bur Dubai to have commercial properties. Here you’ll find offices, business centres, showrooms, retail spaces, and shops for rent in Bur Dubai. Popular locations for shops include Mankhool, Oud Metha, Al Raffa and Al Souk Al Kabeer, while the offices for rent in Bur Dubai are available in those areas as well as Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road and Al Ghubaiba Area.
Transportation in Bur Dubai
Bur Dubai is extremely well connected by public transport, with metro, bus stations, and even water transport all available.
Metro Stations in Bur Dubai
There are numerous metro stations in Bur Dubai on both the red and green lines to serve the different communities in the area. These include:
Metro Stations on the Green Line:
- Al Ghubaiba
- Dubai Healthcare City
- Al Jadaf Metro Station
- Oud Metha
Metro Stations on the Red Line
- ADCB Metro Station
- BurJuman: this is a transit station serving both the red and green lines
How to Reach Bur Dubai by Ferry
If you want to take the scenic route, catch The Dubai Ferry to and from Bur Dubai. It departs from Al Ghubaiba. For a shorter trip, take the traditional abra which crosses the creek from Bur Dubai to Deira and vice versa.
Bur Dubai Tourist Attractions & Things to Do
- Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood: travel back to life in Old Dubai in the 19th century at Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, also known as Al Bastakiya. Walk down narrow winding lanes between old buildings and wind towers to discover plenty of cultural activities, art galleries, museums, events, and local food. The Dubai Museum and The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) are located here.
- Al Seef: this waterfront destination by the Dubai Creek offers contemporary dining experiences in the traditional setting of the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
- Textile Souk: dazzle your eyes with a feast of colours at Textile Souk, a prominent market offering vibrant fabrics such as raw silk, cotton, and embroidered materials. There’s no limit to the colours and prints you can find there. You can also find skilled tailors to customise any clothing of your choice.
- Meena Bazaar: known as Dubai’s ‘Little India’, Meena Bazaar offers all kinds of products from South Asia such as perfumes, fashion, food, and spices.
- Museum of Illusions: travel from the past to the future at the Museum of Illusions, located in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. Trick your mind with creative optical illusions and take social media-worthy shots.
- Zabeel Park: with a size equivalent to 45 football fields, Zabeel Park is one of the biggest parks in Dubai. It’s also home to a popular attraction, Dubai Frame, from which people can look at both old and new Dubai. Zabeel Park also has jogging and walking tracks, barbecue, and picnic areas.
- Zabeel Palace: served as the home of The Late HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum from 1965 to 1990. It’s an architectural masterpiece that once stood alone in the desert and is now surrounded by Dubai’s modern skyline.
- WAFI City: this unique Ancient Egyptian-themed mall was among the first large malls in Dubai since it opened in the early 1990s. It’s home to the iconic AYA Universe.
- AYA Universe: lose yourself in a surreal world of celestial bodies, illuminated gardens, and colourful rivers with 12 zones of interactive installations and experiences. Aya Universe is located in WAFI City.
- Abra Tours: Take an Abra from Bur Dubai to Deira on the other side of the Dubai Creek. It’s an unmissable experience in Bur Dubai.
Possible Challenges
Traffic, parking, and noise are issues that people tend to complain about since Bur Dubai is a bustling area. It also gets quite congested during peak hours so you’ll have to plan your commute to avoid these times.
With that being said, some residential buildings are located on quieter streets where you can avoid the bustle.
