Seven highlights of Dubai beyond the glitzy skyscrapers
Dubai's version of an 'Old Town' is neatly contained along the western side of Dubai Creek. The well-preserved area, also referred to as Bastakiya, dates back to the 1890s and features traditional architecture of low-rise sand-hued dwellings topped with wind towers that are separated by narrow, winding streets. Wander on foot or join a tour on the open-air majlis-inspired Heritage Express trolley bus.
4 The Spice Souk
The spice, gold and textile souks in Deira are the heart and soul of Old Dubai. Swamped with vendors selling everything from 'crystal menthol' to masala tea, this buzzy pocket is an absolute must for tea and herb junkies. Make a beeline for Mr Ali's store Rise, where he proudly sells saffron from his third-generation farm in Iran. (Don't let border control stop you from stocking up: dried herbs are allowed back in Australia as long as they're commercially packaged and declared).
5 The Majlis Gallery
Among the labyrinthine streets in Al Fahidi District is one of the city's most prominent fine-art spaces, the Majlis Gallery. It displays work by artists from all over the region in a variety of mediums such as paintings, sculptures, glasswork and photography, and often hosts international artists-in-residence. Even if you don't plan on shipping home a piece, the gift shop has abundant objets d'art that could easily slip into a suitcase. See themajlisgallery.com
6 Out of the frying pan
Led by long-time locals and sisters Arva and Farida Ahmed, walking food tour company Frying Pan Adventures is the unofficial authority on authentic dining in the emirate. Their longest-running tour 'Middle Eastern Food Tour Pilgrimage' explores Deira, the area where the women grew up and still live. This almost four-hour moveable feast features everything from Palestinian falafels to Iraqi fare and Arabic baklava. See fryingpanadventures.com
7 The hotel few know about
Inexpensive XVA Art Hotel (rooms from AED450/$190) is tucked down a narrow alleyway in Al Fahidi District and is one of Dubai's best kept secrets. The boutique hotel occupies a heritage-listed, 100-year-old house and its 15 rooms are scattered around three courtyards, each with a different design. It's the only hotel within the area and doubles as an art gallery, with the onsite shop providing a tailoring service and selling souvenirs such as camel milk soap and jewellery. See xvahotel.com/rooms/
Loading
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Age
4 hours ago
- The Age
The hot new Melbourne restaurant where pasta starts at $6
The biggest 'why not?' is this. If you think dining out should be accessible to those without a hundred bucks or more to drop on dinner, why not create a restaurant that finds a happy meeting place between money and mouth? And the cool thing about cheap places is that cashed-up patrons will often get a bottle of wine rather than two glasses, order a round of peach cheesecake for the table and keep the wheels humming, while those on a tight budget can be here too. Three more excellent-value places to try Jay Bhavani This is the first Melbourne branch of a vegetarian Indian street-food chain with nearly 200 branches around the world. Start with panipuri, fragile dough balls stuffed with spiced potato; it's $10 for 15 tasty bite-sized spheres. 401 Clayton Road, Clayton, Beit Siti Falastini Food Truck now has a permanent cafe home, sharing Palestinian food and culture, inspired by owner Rahaf Al Khatib's teta (grandmother) Jamal. On Mondays and Tuesdays, laptops are encouraged (there's Wi-Fi) to accompany bottomless batch brew coffee and a slice of focaccia for $10. 150 Bell Street, Coburg, Blackwood Hotel An hour north-west of Melbourne, this 1868 weatherboard pub has been given a sensitive refurb by new owners. Prices are keen, and the pub classics are all there, plus a lamb shoulder that reflects the chef's Greek heritage and roasted cauliflower with cashew cream. Kids schnitzels or lasagne are $14.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The hot new Melbourne restaurant where pasta starts at $6
The biggest 'why not?' is this. If you think dining out should be accessible to those without a hundred bucks or more to drop on dinner, why not create a restaurant that finds a happy meeting place between money and mouth? And the cool thing about cheap places is that cashed-up patrons will often get a bottle of wine rather than two glasses, order a round of peach cheesecake for the table and keep the wheels humming, while those on a tight budget can be here too. Three more excellent-value places to try Jay Bhavani This is the first Melbourne branch of a vegetarian Indian street-food chain with nearly 200 branches around the world. Start with panipuri, fragile dough balls stuffed with spiced potato; it's $10 for 15 tasty bite-sized spheres. 401 Clayton Road, Clayton, Beit Siti Falastini Food Truck now has a permanent cafe home, sharing Palestinian food and culture, inspired by owner Rahaf Al Khatib's teta (grandmother) Jamal. On Mondays and Tuesdays, laptops are encouraged (there's Wi-Fi) to accompany bottomless batch brew coffee and a slice of focaccia for $10. 150 Bell Street, Coburg, Blackwood Hotel An hour north-west of Melbourne, this 1868 weatherboard pub has been given a sensitive refurb by new owners. Prices are keen, and the pub classics are all there, plus a lamb shoulder that reflects the chef's Greek heritage and roasted cauliflower with cashew cream. Kids schnitzels or lasagne are $14.
The Age
4 days ago
- The Age
Missiles too close for comfort for airlines in Iran-Israel war
Airline travellers were confronted with dizzying sights of missile launches visible from the windows of passenger planes even before the start of the war between Israel and Iran on Friday. The closure of airspace over the two countries has had a cascading effect through the region, grounding flights and leaving travellers stranded. Israel has closed its primary international Ben Gurion Airport until further notice, while Iran on Friday suspended flights to and from the country's main Khomeini International Airport on the outskirts of Tehran. Flight radar data shows commercial aircraft fleeing Iranian and Israeli airspace as the two Middle Eastern foes fired salvos of missiles and drones at each other. Israel has launched airstrikes as well in its effort to destroy Iran's nuclear program. Iraq's airports have all closed due to its proximity to Iran. Israel has launched strikes on Iran, reportedly through Iraqi airspace. Iranian drones and missiles flying the other way, meanwhile, have been downed over Iraq. The expansion of the war on Friday came after Iran and Israel fired missiles at each other as recently as October. Dubai-based airline Emirates has cancelled some flights and rerouted others through the region 'following recent airspace closures'. Flights to Jordan, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq have been cancelled. 'We are actively and closely monitoring the situation, engaging with relevant stakeholders, and adjusting our operations in line with the latest updates,' said a spokesperson for the airline, which has 63 flights a week to and from Australia.
