Dubai City Tour from Ras Al Khaimah: Burj Khalifa & Gold Souk

See old Dubai and new Dubai in one frame, literally

A full-day guided tour from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai covers the city's heritage and modern landmarks in a single trip, with roundtrip air-conditioned transport and a live guide. You'll walk through Al Fahidi's historic alleyways, ride an abra ferry across Dubai Creek, browse the Gold Souk's 300-plus shops, ride a glass elevator to the Dubai Frame's Sky Deck for 360-degree views, pass the Burj Al-Arab and Palm Islands, and see the Burj Khalifa from Dubai Mall.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood30m
2. Al Seef30m
3. Dubai Gold Souk30m
4. Dubai Frame15m
5. Burj Al-Arab Jumeirah20m
6. Palm Islands & The Worldpassing by
7. Dubai Mall1h 30m

Full-day Dubai city tour from Ras Al Khaimah

• Travel from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai
• Visit Al Fahidi Historical District
• Explore Al Seef waterfront area
• Ride an Abra across Dubai Creek
• Shop at Dubai Gold Souk
• Visit Dubai Frame and Sky Deck
• See Burj Al Arab from outside
• View Palm Islands and Atlantis hotel
• Explore Dubai Mall and see Burj Khalifa
• Watch Burj Khalifa Fountain Show
• Return to Ras Al Khaimah

The experience

The drive from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai takes about 75 minutes each way, so you're traveling roughly 150 minutes total. That time gets you access to stops most Dubai visitors miss: Al Fahidi Historical District (also called Al Bastakiya) is one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, with preserved heritage architecture and quiet alleyways that feel separate from the modern skyline. Al Seef, along Dubai Creek, blends that same old-Dubai atmosphere with waterfront cafés and shops. The abra, a traditional wooden ferry, crosses the creek itself, giving you views of both the historic Deira district and the contemporary skyline from the water.

The Gold Souk spans several narrow lanes in Deira and holds over 300 shops displaying gold jewelry, diamonds and custom pieces in 22-karat and 24-karat varieties. You'll spend roughly 40 minutes there. The Dubai Frame, located in Zabeel Park, is the centerpiece: a multimedia museum on the ground level walks you through Dubai's Bedouin origins and pearl-diving history, then a 75-second glass elevator takes you to the Sky Deck. From there you see the old city (Deira, Al Fahidi, the Creek) to the north and the modern skyline (Burj Khalifa, Emirates Towers) to the south. The glass floor is optional but walkable if you want the thrill. A Future Dubai gallery at the top shows projections of the city 50 to 100 years ahead.

The rest of the day covers the landmarks most people photograph from a distance: the Burj Al-Arab on its artificial island, the Palm Islands (which span 5.6 kilometers and house 78,000 residents), and Dubai Mall, where you'll see the Burj Khalifa from outside and take photos. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or one of two other languages, and the vehicle is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible throughout. Lunch is not included, so plan to eat at one of the stops or bring something with you.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transportation with roundtrip hotel pickup from Ras Al Khaimah.
• live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or one of two additional languages.
• access to all stops including Al Fahidi Historical District, Al Seef, Dubai Frame with Sky Deck entry, Gold Souk, Burj Al-Arab viewpoint, Palm Islands and Dubai Mall.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to16h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteAED 207

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Dubai Abu Dhabi City Tours & Safaris

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Ras Al Khaimah and want a full-day immersion covering both old Dubai and modern landmarks. Bring cash or plan lunch at a stop since meals aren't included.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian.

How much walking is involved on this tour from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai?

Al Fahidi Historical District and Al Seef involve walking through atmospheric alleyways and waterfront areas at a leisurely pace. The Gold Souk requires browsing through narrow lanes. The Dubai Frame includes a multimedia museum and a glass elevator ride to the Sky Deck, where you can walk on a transparent glass floor if you choose. Most other stops are viewpoints or short photo breaks. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

What is the Dubai Frame and why is it called that?

The Dubai Frame is a colossal structure in Zabeel Park designed as a symbolic gateway between old and new Dubai. The frame literally captures Old Dubai (Deira, Al Fahidi, the Creek) on the north side and the ultra-modern skyline (Burj Khalifa, Emirates Towers) on the south side. Inside, a multimedia museum shows Dubai's humble beginnings (Bedouin culture, traditional markets, pearl diving), and a Future Dubai gallery at the top projects what the city might look like 50 to 100 years from now with flying cars and AI innovations.

Can I buy gold at the Gold Souk, or is it just for looking?

The Gold Souk is an active marketplace with over 300 shops selling gold jewelry, diamonds, precious stones and custom-made pieces. You're free to browse, ask prices and negotiate. The souk is famous for both traditional Arabic designs and modern pieces, and many shops offer custom work. You'll spend roughly 40 minutes there, so there's time to shop if you find something you like.

Does this tour include entry to the Burj Khalifa?

No, Burj Khalifa tickets are not included. You'll see the tower from Dubai Mall and have a chance to take photos from outside. Burj Khalifa entry is available as an optional upgrade at checkout if you want to go inside.

What time does the tour leave Ras Al Khaimah, and when do I get back?

The tour is a full-day experience with roundtrip hotel pickup from Ras Al Khaimah included. Specific departure and return times depend on your hotel location and the option you choose at checkout. Contact the operator with your hotel details to confirm your pickup window.