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The Creek is the heart and soul of Dubai, the city’s historic birthplace now a harmonious if not somewhat incongruous blend of ancient and modern.
The creek divides Dubai into two parts, Deira Dubai and Bur Dubai, water taxis known locally as Abras ply a near constant service connecting the two parts of the city.
The Creek has played a major role in Dubai’s still burgeoning prosperity, since the days when Dubai was a major pearl fishing centre. Today, high-rise buildings line the waterside hiding the hidden treasures of the old city. A maze of ancient alleyways survives on the Deira side dwarfed by tall buildings giving the area a detached, subterranean atmosphere. Within these narrow lanes the visitor will experience all the sights and smells of true Arabia. Inside these winding lanes is the spice souk with its heavy, pungent and mysterious aroma of everything from rose petals to chilli powder, close by the aromas change dramatically as you enter the fish souk. The best time to visit here is early morning as local fisherman unload their catches amidst the frenzied cacophony of bargaining and bartering. The range of fish landed is truly exotic; expect to see barracuda, red snapper, giant tuna, shark and a host of shellfish varieties.
But perhaps the most famous of Dubai’s soaks is the gold market lined with dozens of small neat shops each trying to glitter brighter than the next to attract custom. The prices here are amongst the cheapest gold prices in the world.
On either side of the Creek there are literally dozens of clean and inexpensive places to eat and drink whilst sitting in the sun drinking in the atmosphere of this bustling, vibrant area.
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