Abra Ride, Street Food Walk

Dubai: Old Town, Souks, Street Food, Guided Tour & Abra Ride

★ 4.9 7,710 reviews

3 - 4 hours, free cancellation.

from $24 per person

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Duration: 3 - 4 hours
Meeting point: Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant (Al Fahidi)
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: OceanAir Travels

Overview

This tour starts inside a real Emirati heritage house. Guests meet at the Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant in Al Fahidi, sit down to Arabic coffee or tea with dates and local snacks, and get a guided look at the house and its collection of historical photographs before the walk even begins. The tasting continues from there, with camel milk chocolate and, on the Premium option, items like karak tea with samosas, roqag and luqaimat, shawarma, fresh lemon mint juice and camel milk ice cream.

From the house the group walks the Al Seef promenade, passes the Al Fahidi Fort and the mosque, and cuts through the Bur Dubai Souk to the abra dock. The traditional water taxi then takes a sightseeing cruise on Dubai Creek, with trading ships and the towers of the skyline in view. After the ride the tour continues through the Spice Souk, where haggling is encouraged, and finishes in the Gold Souk with time to browse the jewellery, silver and stones.

Traditional Emirati dishes laid out on a low table in a heritage house courtyard in Old Dubai

The whole thing runs three to four hours with a local guide, in English, French, German, Italian or Spanish. It suits travellers who want old Dubai on foot: history, food, souks and a ride on the creek in one walk. Hotel pickup and drop-off can be selected as an option on the booking page; otherwise everyone makes their own way to the meeting point. Families with children have taken it and enjoyed it, according to recent reviews, though the listing advises against it for infants.

What's Included

Included

Expert local guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)
Entry to heritage sites and museums
Al Khayma Heritage House entry
Textile Souk visit
Traditional abra ride on Dubai Creek
Gold Souk visit with shopping time
Spice Souk visit with shopping time
Arabic coffee or tea
Premium Emirati dates
Camel milk chocolate tasting
Unlimited drinking water
Karak tea and samosa (Premium tour)
Rogag and luqaimat (Premium tour)
Shawarma and falafel (Premium tour)
Fresh lemon mint juice (Premium tour)
Camel milk ice cream (Premium tour)
Local shopping tips
Souvenir and spice recommendations

Not Included

Tips (optional)

Itinerary

Meet at Al Khayma
Coffee and snacks
Al Seef walk
Al Fahidi Fort
Mosque and Bur Dubai Souk
Abra ride on the creek
Spice Souk
Gold Souk

Meet at Al KhaymaThe group gathers at the Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant on Al Mussallah Road in the Al Fahidi historical district.
Coffee and snacksA 30 minute visit with coffee or tea, local snacks and a guided tour of the heritage house and its photo collection.
Al Seef walkA 30 minute stroll along the Al Seef promenade with sightseeing and commentary from the guide.
Al Fahidi FortA 15 minute photo stop and guided look at the fort.
Mosque and Bur Dubai SoukA 15 minute photo stop at the mosque, then 15 minutes walking through the Bur Dubai Souk market.
Abra ride on the creekAfter a 15 minute break and photo stop at the Bur Dubai Abra Dock, the traditional abra takes a sightseeing cruise on Dubai Creek with scenic views along the way.
Spice SoukA 30 minute visit with shopping time among the spice stalls, where guests can bargain with merchants.
Gold SoukA final 30 minute guided walk and shopping stop in the Gold Souk, where the tour ends.

Where this tour sits among 8 tours in Old Dubai Street Food Walks listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Emirati House, 3-Hour Walk$16
Historic Creek Walk, Pickup$18
Local Boat, 2-Hour Tastings$21.78
MAGIC LAMP Tour, Hotel Pickup$22
Abra Ride, Street Food Walk (this tour)$24
Souks And Museums Walk$25
Aladdin Souks Tasting Walk$27
Premium Walk, Hotel Pickup$32

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points make this walk go more smoothly, based on the listing and what recent travellers have reported.

Wear walking shoes. The tour is on foot for most of its three to four hours, through lanes, promenades and souks. The listing asks for comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. Sunglasses and a sun hat are also on the what-to-bring list.
Come hungry. Tastings are built in from the start: coffee or tea, dates, snacks and camel milk chocolate on the standard tour, with a longer food list on the Premium option. Reviewers mention sampling and tasting along the way, with one noting there were a lot of things to taste.
Go at the right hour. One traveller took a late afternoon departure and called it a great experience, and the guide kept the mood relaxed. The listing does not state set departure times, so confirm the details of your chosen slot before you head out.
Sort out your pickup. Hotel pickup and drop-off is available as an option on the booking page. If it is not selected, travellers make their own way to the Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant in Al Fahidi, so plan the journey there in advance.
Bring the family, with limits. Reviews mention children enjoying the tour, with one family saying theirs were sad when it ended. The listing says the tour is not recommended for infants, and baby strollers are not allowed.
Leave big bags behind. Luggage and large bags are not permitted on the tour. Travel in light and use the souk shopping time for anything you actually want to carry home.

Common issues. Some travellers felt the experience would be better with clearer guidance around the shopping stops and how pricing works there, so go in expecting to bargain on your own at the souks. Dubai Museum is temporarily closed, according to the listing. The tour is not recommended for infants, strollers are not allowed and there is a fair amount of walking, so it may not suit anyone who struggles on their feet. Tips for the guide are optional and not included in the ticket.

Common Questions

Where Does The Tour Meet?

At the Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant on Al Mussallah Road in the Al Fahidi historical district. Hotel pickup and drop-off can be selected as an option on the booking page; otherwise travellers make their own way to the meeting point.

What Food And Drink Is Included?

Arabic coffee or tea, premium Emirati dates, local snacks, a camel milk chocolate tasting and unlimited drinking water are included. On the Premium option this extends to karak tea and samosas, roqag and luqaimat, shawarma and falafel, fresh lemon mint juice and camel milk ice cream.

Are Entry Fees Extra?

No. Entry to heritage sites and museums is listed as included, along with Al Khayma Heritage House entry, the abra ride and visits to the Textile, Spice and Gold Souks. Tips for the guide are optional and not included.

How Long Does The Tour Last?

The listing gives a duration of three to four hours. The walk covers Al Fahidi, Al Seef, the creek crossing and the souks, ending at the Gold Souk.

Can Children Join?

Reviews describe families enjoying the tour, including children who were sad when the guide left. However, the listing says the tour is not recommended for infants, and baby strollers are not allowed.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. It is also worth checking your selected option before booking, since the included tastings differ between the standard and Premium versions.