Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek
4.3
About
Separating Deira and Bur Dubai, the creek is the city's historic commercial hub. Explore and cross the canal on a traditional abra boat ride.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Dubai Creek
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Neighbourhood: Al Fahidi
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,068 within 5 kms
Attractions
274 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.3
9,922 reviews
Excellent
4,660
Very good
3,899
Average
1,127
Poor
160
Terrible
76
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Leonid K
St. Petersburg, Russia160 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
Dubai Creek is a conduit in central, old Dubai. Fifty years ago, the city began to take shape just around this area. There are few, if any, buildings from the English protectorate. Dubai Creek was the city's main transportation artery, with fishermen going fishing and returning with their catches, merchants bringing goods to markets, and townsfolk moving from shore to shore in small boats, referred to here as "abra". An economic miracle has transformed the city, with several bridges spanning Dubai Creek and two subway lines running under it, but still these boats have not lost their importance and continue to do so from shore to shore. In the city centre, there are several routes of these mini-ferries, with a token fare of one or two dirhams, depending on the distance travelled. If you have a debit transport card, you can pay with it, but daytime unlimited cards do not work here and the ticket must be bought in a booth on the beach or paid directly to the boat captain. A map of the routes followed by the abras can be found on the Internet. If you want, you can charter an abra for an hour and ride down the aisle the whole time. We limited ourselves to travelling from the wharf at the Union bus station to Old Souk on the other side, paying a couple of dirhams each and spending ten minutes on the journey.
There are now many pleasure and tourist boats and ships on Dubai Creek, apart from the traditional boats, day and night, offering trips along many routes, for every taste and wallet. In general, being in Dubai and taking a ride on Dubai Creek is like not taking a vaporetto in Venice or a pleasure craft in Amsterdam or the SPB.
There are now many pleasure and tourist boats and ships on Dubai Creek, apart from the traditional boats, day and night, offering trips along many routes, for every taste and wallet. In general, being in Dubai and taking a ride on Dubai Creek is like not taking a vaporetto in Venice or a pleasure craft in Amsterdam or the SPB.
Automatically translated
Written 4 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NICHOLAS T
Dubai, United Arab Emirates11,103 contributions
Mar 2025 • Solo
The creek is largely the reason for Dubai’s existence - it was a base for trading.
There is lots of water traffic, including old style abras, dhow boats and more modern craft. You can cross the creek on an abra for just one dirham or hire one for a private tour. You can also catch a ferry to Dubai Marina.
There are souks alongside the creek.
There is lots of water traffic, including old style abras, dhow boats and more modern craft. You can cross the creek on an abra for just one dirham or hire one for a private tour. You can also catch a ferry to Dubai Marina.
There are souks alongside the creek.
Written 8 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amanda5805
Duncan, Canada7,703 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Dubai Creek is the perfect spot to experience the old and new sides of Dubai. The best way to cross from Bur Dubai to Deira is by taking an abra. The ride is quick, affordable, and offers beautiful views of the creek and the city’s skyline. It’s a fun and scenic way to travel between the two areas, giving you a real taste of old Dubai.
Written 8 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joasi23
South Yorkshire, UK2,121 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
The one dirham boat ride across was an experience, ensure you don’t end up on a private crossing as they are much more expensive and unnecessary in my opinion. The guys running the boats are very keen to lead you to a private option.
We were not comfortable walking round the vendors on the other side as they were so persistent and determined. So a very short half hour and we went back. The stalls on the main side had a couple selling fresh squeezed juice. Absolutely delicious and very cheap, orange or pomegranate.
We were not comfortable walking round the vendors on the other side as they were so persistent and determined. So a very short half hour and we went back. The stalls on the main side had a couple selling fresh squeezed juice. Absolutely delicious and very cheap, orange or pomegranate.
Written 26 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marco L
Genoa, Italy236 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
The Dubai Creek is a less "luxory" area of the city, more experienced by workers and where the main Souq are also located. It will be that the water always brings an extra perception of cool and holiday but this channel is very pleasant. The boat crossing, used in the absence of bridges in the vincinanzas to transpose from one shore to the other where the Gold Souks and the Spice/Textile Souks are, is a small and fast experience, typically offered within tour packages, very pleasant.
Suggestive also certain passages of large characteristic boats
Suggestive also certain passages of large characteristic boats
Automatically translated
Written 28 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
João Bosco
Santo Andre, SP8 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
Boat tour through Dubai’s oldest area, with countless stores and spice bazaars.
The route, about 15 minutes long, crosses the canal that separates the Deira district from the historic center of the city. It is widely used by locals, as well as tourists.
The route, about 15 minutes long, crosses the canal that separates the Deira district from the historic center of the city. It is widely used by locals, as well as tourists.
Automatically translated
Written 4 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Troy W
Anchorage, AK29 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
This area is the Old market area. We took a taxi from the hotel and walked around on our own (without a guide). Everything is for sale. Start low and be ready to walk away in your negotiations. Water taxi’s are available to take you across the creek for less than $2. Note: it is a long walk through busy streets to walk between the Gold and Spice souks.
Written 18 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SMW
London, UK263 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
So pleased we visited here to experience a bit of old town Dubai in the Gold & Spice Souks.
We were ready to be pestered by the vendors but our experience took things to a whole new level.
We were always polite with ‘no Thank you’ but for some that’s not enough, they physically grab you or even block you leaving their store if you enter so my advice is to visit if you are confident & know what you want but if you are timid do not go, you will be taken advantage of.
Do not shake hands (they don’t let go & pull you in), do not try on head scarves “for a photo” as it is taken as a gesture to but, etc etc…
Always haggle on price as first price is never best & even “best price” is not lowest !
Again, we wanted to come here & really pleased we did, also make sure you experience the boats across the creek, you pay the driver 1 EAD pp/per trip - !!!
We found a nice coffee shop for a break @ also a nice place for ice tea by the creek, quite reasonable prices too
We were ready to be pestered by the vendors but our experience took things to a whole new level.
We were always polite with ‘no Thank you’ but for some that’s not enough, they physically grab you or even block you leaving their store if you enter so my advice is to visit if you are confident & know what you want but if you are timid do not go, you will be taken advantage of.
Do not shake hands (they don’t let go & pull you in), do not try on head scarves “for a photo” as it is taken as a gesture to but, etc etc…
Always haggle on price as first price is never best & even “best price” is not lowest !
Again, we wanted to come here & really pleased we did, also make sure you experience the boats across the creek, you pay the driver 1 EAD pp/per trip - !!!
We found a nice coffee shop for a break @ also a nice place for ice tea by the creek, quite reasonable prices too
Written 7 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The dubbers
69 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Love the creek and the souks. Great experience for the kids .
It’s one dirhams each to cross the creek on the wooden boats which the kids loved.
We went to a lovely restaurant called the real creek ! Food was amazing
It’s one dirhams each to cross the creek on the wooden boats which the kids loved.
We went to a lovely restaurant called the real creek ! Food was amazing
Written 17 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andressa Trivelli
Sao Paulo, SP6 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
I've been a dozen times to walk around the Dubai Creek. The best trip is to go to the subway, to stroll in the heritage museum houses. Walk around the area and take an open to go to the souks on the other side of the Creek. It's the Dubai that doesn't appear in the movies and it doesn't have the buildings. It's a nice Dubai, with an oldest face and a real city face.
Automatically translated
Written 2 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I’m staying at the Grand Hyatt. Is there any local, cheap eats nearby. How far away is the hotel from the creek
Written 13 October 2020
Hello Mr, which location along the Creek can i go for free swimming?
Written 11 February 2020
Hi
I wouldn’t recommend swimming there as there are just too many boats about!
Written 19 February 2020
Hello,
I am staying at Vida Creek over New Year - does anyone know of any new years eve events happening nearby or whether we will be able to see fireworks displays for free?
Also any other recommendations of what do / eat at around the area?
thanks!
Written 30 November 2019
I would recommend Mazmi Cafe in Old Dubai area. A Dubai cafe with a classical touch of Emirati culture and delicious food. You can sit outside and watch the small ferries passing through the creek
Written 2 December 2019
Ciao
Noi non abbiamo mai fatto la crociera sulle barche con cena perciò non saprei dirti i costi.
Sul consigliarti se farla o no dipende un pó dai costi, sicuramente vedi tutta la marina illuminata che è sempre bella.
Written 25 November 2019
Hi we will be staying at the Sheraton creekside, does anyone know if there are small local places to eat that sell arabic/indian food that is not expensive-don't really like Hotel food but really want to eat where the locals eat.
Thanks
Steve
Written 9 October 2019
Hi Steve,
To be honest unless you get in a cab there isn’t much directly around The Sheraton itself. But 2 minute walk from the hotel is the Baniyas water bus terminal and for around £1 it will take you over the creek directly to Al Seef, google it, it’s a wonderful development, Uber modern but meant to be a 200 year old fort style area of shops that are really traditional looking but new built. Lots of cafes and all different sorts of restaurants (so you will find Arabic and Indian) with a really great selection right on the creek all with excellent views. Best bit, because it is still to be found by the bulk of the tourism boom (as it’s so new) it wasn’t busy at all when we where there recently.
Enjoy, it’s superb and the boat ride is literally 3-5 minutes long that’s all,
Cheers,
Stu
Written 10 October 2019
Está todo armado , igual tiene encanto
Written 14 December 2019
Do you need to pre book a night tour by boat around Dubai creek or can you just turn up? Don’t want dinner cruise just boat trip!
Written 31 October 2018
The boat trip is like a 5-7 minute trip for 1dirham. You don't need to pre book it. I don't know till what time it runs in the evening.
Written 31 October 2018
I'm arranging a company offsite in Dubai. We want to do a quick 2-3hr morning activity in the Dubai Creek (No time for museum), to see the old Dubai. QU - How much time would it take to get an Abra from the "Bur Dubai Abra St" side, to the "Deira old Souk St", then have a walk around the Gold and Spice souks? Would this be enough of an experience, could more be included?
Written 29 September 2018
Hi You will have more than enough time. The boat crossing is 10 minutes if that.
The souk is a fabulous and atmospheric place, 2 hours would be enough for a first timer. We all know how company offsite visits go. It all depends on the mix of personalities as to whether or not they will all find it an ‘experience’ I suspect most will!
Written 30 September 2018
What is the best side to wonder and have dinner? We would like to catch the Abra across the creek to where the souks are, we are happy to eat street food. Also is the gold souk walking distance from the spice souk?
Written 9 April 2018
Hi. We stayed at the Raddison Blu.. and walked from there down to the Spice Souk.. plenty of places to eat
Written 9 April 2018
…
Showing results 1-10 of 39
Related Stories
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing