Old Dubai

Abras shuttle between historic districts on either side of Dubai Creek.

Photo: Glen Petrie

The Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood lines the Creek waterfront in Old Dubai.

Photo: Dubai Tourism

Bajeel, or wind towers or wind catchers, brought cooler air down to the interiors of homes in the days before air conditioning.

Photo: Dubai Tourism

Exotic spices in the Spice Souk will make your nose twitch.

Photo: Dubai Tourism

A woman strolls between restored historical houses at the Shindaga Museum. One of the homes belonged to the renowned poet Al Oqaili.

Photo: Dubai Tourism

Interactive displays reveal Dubai past and present in the Shindaga Museum.

Photo: Dubai Tourism

A bajeel, or wind tower, at one of the three restored homes in the Shindaga Museum.

Photo: Dubai Tourism

Traditional architecture and narrow alleys in Old Dubai.

Photo: Dubai Tourism

The Gold Souk: Dubai became a center for gold trading after the pearl fishing industry died due to competition from cultured pearls.

Photo: Dubai Tourism

Exotic spices in the Spice Souk will make your nose twitch.

Photo: Dubai Tourism

Exotic spices in the Spice Souk will make your nose twitch.

Photo: Dubai Tourism

Minarets and wind catchers mark the skyline of the Al Fahidi Historical neighbourhood.

Photo: Glen Petrie

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House is a grand courtyard abode that served as the family residence of Sheikh Saeed, the grandfather of Dubai's ruler HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, from 1912 until 1958. It is now open to the public.

Photo: Glen Petrie

A traditional Arabian tea house in Old Dubai.

Photo: Dubai Tourism

Sample local teas and sweets at tea shops found throughout Old Dubai.

Dubai Tourism

Some of Dubai's most historical districts line the banks of Dubai Creek, a serpentine harbour that brought the first settlers to the area.

Photo: Dubai Tourism

Small ferries called abras load passengers along Dubai Creek.

Photo: Dubai Tourism

An abra ferries passengers across Dubai Creek, where life still goes as it has for hundreds of years.

Dubai Tourism

Narrow lanes in Old Dubai provided shade and breezes in the days before air conditioning.

Photo: Dubai Tourism

Wind towers mark the skyline of the Al Seef district in Old Dubai.

Photo: Dubai Tourism

Excursions into the vast Empty Quarter desert reveal a landscape unchanged by modern times.

Copyright: Abdallah El Abri

Dune bashing in the desert is a popular excursion.

Photo: Glen Petrie

SUVs storm dunes on thrill rides to the vast empty desert.

Photo: Glen Petrie

Driving like teenagers on a lark over the dunes of the desert outside the city of Dubai.

Photo: Glen Petrie