Dubai City Tour: Old & New with Abra Ride & Palm Island

Five and a half hours covering Dubai's landmarks, from heritage houses to the Palm

A guided city tour of Dubai lasting 5.5 hours, taking in heritage sites, souks, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al-Arab and the Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque with hotel pickup and drop-off included. The itinerary moves between old Dubai's traditional quarters and the modern skyline, with stops for photos, a ride on the Deira Creek abra water taxi, and entry to the Blue Mosque. Hotel pickups run between 8am and 9:30am most days. The Dubai Museum is closed Fridays, though the Al Fahidi fort is visible from outside.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Dubai's iconic landmarks

• Photo stop at Burj Al-Arab Jumeirah
• Tour Palm Jumeirah island
• Photo stop at Dubai Museum Al Fahidi Fort
• Drive through Sheikh Zayed Road
• View Dubai Spice Souk
• Visit Ruler of Dubai's palace outside
• Visit Dubai Frame outside
• Enter Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque
• Visit heritage houses and museum
• Enjoy Arabic coffee and dates welcome

Stops and time spent at each 6 stops

1. Burj Al-Arab Jumeirah 15m
2. Palm Jumeirah Entry included 30m
3. Sheikh Zayed Road passing by
4. Dubai Spice Souk passing by
5. Dubai Frame 10m
6. Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque 30m

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from almost 500 Dubai hotels.
• abra boat ride on Deira Creek.
• entry to the Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque.
• walking tour of heritage houses and traditional Majlis with Arabic coffee and dates.
• perfume museum visit.
• drive-through the spice and gold souks.
• Arabic makeover with traditional dress for photos.
• photo stops at Burj Al-Arab, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame, the Ruler's Palace and Al Fahidi fort.
• air-conditioned vehicle with professional English-speaking guide.
• drop-off near the souks for independent shopping after the tour.

Times

• Every day 08:00

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Before you book

Group Up to 100

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Book up to 3h before

Ages Adult (8 to 70 years) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (under 3)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Infant seats available Infants must sit on laps

Operated by ABC Tourism LLC

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

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The experience

The tour starts with a pickup from your hotel between 8am and 9:30am, then heads to the waterfront for an abra boat ride across Deira Creek. A traditional wooden water taxi that cuts through the old city's working harbor. From there you move through the Dubai Spice Souk and Gold Souk in the historic quarter, where the guide walks you past the stalls without the pressure to shop. The operator notes that bargaining takes time and a quick pass shows you the scale of the place. You'll also visit a perfume museum to smell the scents locals use, and tour the heritage houses and traditional Majlis where you're welcomed with Arabic coffee and dates.

The second half shifts to modern Dubai. You'll drive along Sheikh Zayed Road, the "mini Manhattan" of glass towers, and stop for photos at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. Palm Jumeirah, the man-made island shaped like a palm tree stretching 6 kilometers into the Arabian Gulf, gets a full drive-through so you see it from beginning to end. Burj Al-Arab, the sail-shaped seven-star hotel on its own island, is a photo stop. The Dubai Frame, a building designed to frame views of old and new Dubai in a single shot, is an outside stop. Entry inside costs extra. You'll also see the Ruler's Palace from the vehicle and visit the Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Jumeirah, where you can enter the largest mosque in Dubai: a replica of Istanbul's Blue Mosque.

The tour includes an Arabic makeover where you can wear traditional dress for photos and memories. An air-conditioned vehicle with a professional English-speaking guide handles all transport, and the operator offers drop-off at a location near the spice and gold souks if you want to shop on your own after the tour ends. Infants can sit on an adult's lap, and specialized infant seats are available. Note that single travelers may be asked to meet at a central hotel for pickup. If you prefer hotel pickup from your own accommodation, a local charge of USD 8 per person applies.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the abra boat ride on Deira Creek?

The abra ride is a traditional wooden water taxi crossing that takes you through the working harbor of old Dubai as part of the guided tour. It's a local transport experience included in the price, not a separate activity.

Can I enter the Blue Mosque, or is it just a photo stop?

The Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Jumeirah is included as an entry visit, so you go inside to see the largest mosque in Dubai, which is designed as a replica of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

Lunch is not included in the standard tour price, though you can add a lunch box for USD 15 per person if you arrange it in advance.

What happens if I'm staying far from central Dubai?

Free pickup is offered from almost 500 hotels in Dubai city, but the operator does not pick up from Arabian Ranches, Jebel Ali, Silicon Oasis, Dragon Mart, Mirdif, Al Nahda, Muhaisnah, Ghusais, Mamzar, Naif, Sabka or Al Ras, as these areas fall outside the city limit.

Is the Dubai Museum visit included?

The museum is a photo stop at the Al Fahidi fort. Inside entry is not possible on Fridays due to closure, though you can see the fort from outside. On other days, the walking tour of heritage houses and museum visit in old Dubai is included.

What should I know about the spice and gold souks?

You'll drive through both souks and walk the spice market with the guide, who will show you the range without pressure to buy: the operator recommends spending a couple of hours bargaining if you want to shop seriously, so the tour is a viewing pass rather than a shopping stop.