The Top Attractions in Deira, Dubai: A Local's Family-Friendly Guide

As part of Old Dubai, Deira is the beating heart of the UAE's most glitzy and glamorous city. This is where you'll find Dubai's historic Gold Souk and Spice Souk, the lovely Deira Creekside, and some of the most authentic and affordable South Asian and Arabic food in the city.

Ride a traditional abra (wooden boat) across the beautiful Dubai Creek and you'll be immersed in yet another one of Old Dubai's most famous neighbourhoods. The Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood is home to Dubai's most important cultural and historic gems, including the 18th-century Al Fahidi Fort.

With so many family-friendly activities, exploring Deira is a must on any Dubai itinerary. If you're not sure where to start, this guide will lead you to all of the must-see Deira attractions, as well as give you some practical tips and tricks about visiting this truly unique Dubai neighbourhood.

The Gold Souk is one of the most iconic Deira Dubai attractions. This pedestrian-only souk is lined with over 350 stores selling all things gold. This is a prime place to shop for gold jewellery, if you happen to be in the market for something.

But it's also a fun spot for the whole family to go window-shopping and see some truly extravagant gold products. One of the top things to seek out in the Gold Souk is the gigantic 21-carat gold ring, which is the largest in the world and weighs a whopping 64 kilograms.

For something a bit more humble, take a short stroll to the nearby Spice Souk, which is located just off of the Deira Creekside. With all of the colourful displays of spices, this souk is yet another feast for the eyes. You'll find spices galore here, from saffron, cardamom, and turmeric to za'atar, baharat, and sumac.

The shopkeepers are sure to invite you to sniff and sample the different spices if you like. Spices aside, the shops lining the Spice Souk sell other local goods, including teas, herbs, perfumes, oils, dried fruits, and so much more.

While not quite as famous as Deira's Spice and Gold souks, the nearby Naif Souk is also worth checking out. With its beautiful Arabic facade, the building that now houses Naif Souk was once a camel market. Now it's filled with vendors selling fabrics and clothing, especially abayas. If you want to make a purchase, it is customary to haggle.

The Deira Clocktower (aka Dubai Clocktower) is one of the top Deira landmarks. You'll find this work of art in the centre of a roundabout, where Umm Hurair Road meets route D89 near the Deira Creekside. The Deira Clocktower was built in 1963 to commemorate the opening of Al Maktoum Bridge. Spanning the Dubai Creek, this bridge was the first land crossing to link Deira and Bur Dubai. 

The historic Waterfront Market is another one of the top Deira attractions. This is a prime spot to go grocery shopping. The fresh seafood available here is nothing short of impressive. But you'll also find fresh meats, veggies, fruits, herbs, and spices at bargain prices.

The market was recently given a makeover, so everything is super organised, clean, and well-maintained. You'll also find some excellent family-friendly seafood restaurants lining the lovely waterfront, including local favourite Aylla Seafood Restaurant. 

Now it's time to make your way to the Deira Creekside and ride an abra across Dubai Creek to the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood in Bur Dubai. Before the bridges were built to connect Deira with Bur Dubai, locals depended on these traditional abras to get across the Dubai Creek. 

These public boats are still a popular mode of transportation. The cost to take the five-minute journey from the Deira Creekside to Al Fahidi is just AED 1, which is quite the bargain in Dubai. The boats depart when full. But you'll never wait more than a few minutes.

The Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood just oozes culture. The area isn't too big, making it possible to walk to all of the must-see Al Fahidi attractions and activities. 

You'll definitely want to check out the Al Fahidi Fort. Dating back to 1787, this is the oldest building in Dubai and now houses the must-visit Dubai Museum.

Other family-friendly attractions in Al Fahidi include the Coffee Museum, the Coin Museum, and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding. If you're feeling peckish, the Arabian Tea House is the place to go for an authentic, family-friendly Emirati meal.

Located right next to Al Fahidi, Al Seef is a 1.8-kilometre area set right on Dubai Creek. Al Seef is one of the most picturesque parts of what is considered Old Dubai.

This place is made up of heritage-style buildings, winding alleyways, souk-inspired shops, and lovely creekside restaurants. You'll definitely want to do as the locals do and snap a selfie in front of the Starbucks, which might just be the cutest one in the world.  

All of the top Deira Dubai attractions are within walking distance of one another, making getting around a breeze.

Deira is also home to multiple Red Line metro stations, which easily link you with the Dubai Airport (10 minutes), Downtown Dubai (20 minutes), and even the Dubai Marina (45 minutes). Taxis are also readily available.

Just download the Careem app and you can hail a taxi using the "Hala Taxi" button. It makes getting around Dubai super simple.

If you're looking for a modern, family-friendly hotel near all of the top Deira attractions, Novotel Deira Creekside Dubai is a popular pick. This Dubai hotel is just 300 metres from the City Centre Deira Metro Station, making getting to and from the airport a cinch. 

Explore the hotel and you'll find an outdoor pool, a 24-hour gym, free parking, four bars and restaurants, and full access to the facilities of the connecting hotel, ibis Deira Creekside. 

And then there are the rooms, which feature plush beds, 49-inch flat-screen TVs, designated workstations, and complimentary toiletries in the bathroom. As an added bonus, Novotel Deira Creekside Dubai is right across from all of the shops and eateries inside City Centre mall. 

Not only is Deira a must-visit destination, but it makes for the perfect family-friendly base during your trip. From the variety of affordable restaurants to the quirky museums and fascinating historical sites, you'll love exploring this historic part of Dubai.