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Places to Visit near Dubai Creek

Step into this surreal world of smoke and mirrors at Dubai’s Museum of Illusions and completely alter the notion that absolutely no one and nothing can dupe you, if you ever harboured one. With more than 80 different exhibits, each more impressive than the next, be prepared for a totally mind boggling experience.

Replete with mischief and trickery as soon as you set foot in, you will not know how the hours have flown as you grow and shrink in the Ames room or zip through a Vortex Tunnel. This is certainly one of the most fun places to visit in Dubai Creek.

Location: Al Seef - Dubai Creek - Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 13.8km

Click Here to Book: Museum Of Illusions Tickets Dubai

An enjoyable two-hour cruise along the sparkling waters with spellbinding night views and sumptuous food to top it all, the Dhow Dinner Cruise offers the most mesmerising experience among all the places to visit in Dubai Creek. As you sail through the captivating creek, feast on a delectable meal that is served buffet style under a starry night sky and arresting views of the beautiful Dubai skyline.

The cruise is a perfect option if you wish to spend an enjoyable evening with the whole family or just with a loved one as, the ambience and riverfront views is sure to instantly uplift your spirits. As a cherry on the cake, there are entertainment shows organised by the cruise to keep your evening resonating with energy and fun.

Location: Dubai Deira Creek, Burj Khalifa area, Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 15.2 km

Checkout & Book: Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai

Al Seef is a buzzing destination teeming with life from morning until nightfall. It stretches across a distance of about 1.8 km and is influenced by the culture and heritage of the city. The atmosphere is bustling and alive with great vibes, some wonderful shops, gorgeous vistas and a plethora of dining options.

You can easily spend an entire day at one of these lively places to visit in Dubai Creek and not know how time flew. Being here at the sunset hour is especially recommended when the tiny lights start to shine, making the ambience truly magical.

Location: AL Seef, Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 14.2 km

Must Explore: Adventurous Things to Do in Dubai

A walk down the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood is like a journey back in time where you get a glimpse of Dubai like it was in the mid nineteenth century. The Al Fahidi district is a key heritage site which has carefully preserved much of the original infrastructure. Each alley with its winding pathways has a story to tell of a time before the seven emirates.

From breezy wind towers built out of teak, gypsum, stone, sandalwood and palm wood, museums and art galleries to a host of cultural activities and mouth-watering traditional food, experience it all in an immersive tour of one of the most intriguing places to visit near Dubai Creek.

Location: Bur Dubai - Al Hamriya - Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 13.9 km

In the historic neighbourhood around Bur Dubai, lies this vibrant wonder with its endless selection of fabric. The Textile Souk offers unlimited choices in fabrics ranging from cotton, raw silk, embroidered materials and everything in between. You are sure to find the exact color, print and material that you have been looking for, and much more, right here among the thousands of reels of fabric.

One of the most spirited places near Dubai Creek, the Textile Souk is an absolute must-visit to jazz up your day and your wardrobe. Apart from the mind boggling waves of cloth, you will also find other accessories like buttons, lace, stones, sequins, and just about anything that will instantly uplift your collection with an elegant touch of Arabian flair.

Location: Textile Souk, Ali Bin Abi Taleb St, Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 14.4 km

Must Read: Zoos in Dubai

Among the most iconic places to visit near Dubai Creek is the Al Shindagha Museum where visitors can spend hours experiencing the vibrant history of the city. The museum was initially developed as part of a government initiative to make the Creek area a distinctly regional culture and traditional centre.

The story of Dubai, which is of resilience, innovation and the intrinsic human desire to trudge forward, which makes the city what it is today, is told by the museum. The place is inspirational and the tour guides here exude immense passion and knowledge about their heritage and share them with visitors.

Location: 288 - Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 17.9km

Also Explore: Safa Park

If you are in search of one of the best places to visit in Dubai Creek where you can pitch in your proverbial tent and let your children loose while stretching your legs on a spot of fresh green grass, it is here at Dubai Creek Park. This is the second largest park in Dubai and has been a popular getaway for locals and tourists alike for years now.

This is primarily owing to the scenic views of the creek from here and the sheer size of the park which opens up space and opportunity for a host of outdoor activities. For the thrill seekers, there are also bikes to rent here for a breezy ride across the park.

Location: Al Shindagha area, Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 10.3km

The signature Abra rides take you across the Dubai Creek where you can further explore the local markets and souks. It is one of the most important places to visit in Dubai Creek without which your exploration of the Creek will remain incomplete.

You can hop aboard an abra either at Bur Dubai or Deira although abras can be quite easily spotted along the entire stretch of the creek. Another great spot to hop onto an abra would be the Al Fahidi neighbourhood. All you need is to pay a fee of one dirham and get a perspective of the city’s most historic side.

Location: Shindagha/Al Ghubaiba on the Bur Dubai side, and the water station at Al Sabkha on the Deira side

Get a glimpse of Dubai’s beginnings with maritime trade at one of the most insightful places to visit in Dubai Creek. The Deira Creekside stretches along the Dubai Creek that separates the city’s older neighbourhood of Bur Dubai and Deira. Built in 1961, the creek has been serving as Dubai’s primary connection with the rest of the world.

This inlet today represents Dubai’s rich heritage as a port city. The breathtaking views of the sunset over the water, scintillating criss-cross of passing dhow boats and abras and the bustling wharf with merchants bringing in their wares.

Location: Dubai Deira Creek, Old Dubai, Distance from Dubai Creek - 10.8 km

Checkout the Guide For: Jumeirah Beach

This gigantic structure in the heart of Dubai needs no introduction. The world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa was formerly known as Burj Dubai. It was later renamed in honour of the leader of the neighbouring emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. At 162 floors and a height of 2,717 feet, the building has broken several other records as well including the world’s highest occupied floor, tallest freestanding structure and highest observation deck.

This global icon represents the true heart and soul of Dubai and has attracted visitors from every corner of the world since its gates were opened about a decade ago. There are two observation decks at the 125th floor and another at the 148th floor. Needless to say, the view they offer is one that will take your breath away.

Location: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd - Downtown Dubai, Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 13.2 km

Click Here to Book: Tickets of Burj Khalifa

This 7000 sq m replica of a real city is an actual wonder for the little souls who get to be anything they want here. With more than 40 role playing activities, children between the age of 2 and 16, are virtually spoiled for choice. They not only learn in great detail, and in a playful manner, about their favorite professions, they also gain important insights about money, life skills and the real world, that no classroom teaching can hope to impart.

This award winning children’s ‘edutainment’ zone is located on Level 2 of Dubai Mall and skilfully amalgamates education and play for children. Kids are immediately transported into a different world where they have an absolute blast. Spending an entire day at this very intuitive place for kids to learn through play and experience real life situations, is not a big deal here.

Location: The Dubai Mall, Second level. Cinema Parking - Financial Center Rd - Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 12.3 km

Click Here to Book: Kidzania Dubai Tickets

This massive golden structure that stands out like none other is one of the not-to-be-missed places to visit near Dubai Creek. If you think that, that is the extent of the charms of this colossal frame that captures the entire city, you are mistaken.

As a visitor, you can actually go inside and right up to the bridge of this great structure at Zabeel Park. Get stunning views of ‘old’ and ‘new’ Dubai from a sky-glass bridge towering at a height of 150 metres. The views, whether you are here during the day, at sunset or in the night, is sure to take your breath away. Of course, the completely see-through glass bottom may not be for the faint hearted.

Location: Zabeel Park Jogging Track - Za'abeel - Al Kifaf - Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 12.6km

Click Here to Book: Dubai Frame Tickets

This fully air-conditioned indoor dolphinarium is the first of its kind in the entire Middle East. The dolphins are provided a natural habitat here, which is also one of the most loved tourist places to visit near Dubai Creek. Get up close and personal with these endearing creatures that you cannot help but fall in love with. See them perform in shows like the Dolphin and Seal Show, Creek Park Bird Show, Swim with Dolphins, etc.

You will be under constant guidance of expert trainers who will be more than happy to tell you more about these incredible mammals, their mannerisms, natural habitats, behaviours and much more. It is suitable for children above the age of 8 who thoroughly enjoy the wet interaction in deep water.

Location: Riyadh Street, Inside the Creek Park Gate 1 - Dubai Dolphinarium Building - Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 10.3 km

Click Here to Book: Dolphin Show Dubai Tickets

Visit Dubai’s only indoor rainforest, a key attraction and one of the most unique places to visit in Dubai Creek. They offer a multitude of things to explore ranging from snorkelling with piranhas at the magical tropical biodome and experiencing first-hand the thunderstorms like in an actual tropical forest.

Venture into the darkness and witness the activities of nocturnal creatures from the rainforest and come face to face with incredible animals from the tropics including the slow lorries, Burmese python, cotton top tamarin, Cuban Amazon parrot, weaver ant, archer fish, Seba’s short tailed fruit bats and even sloths. Do not miss out on a scrumptious brunch at the in-house café. Enjoy delectable buffet-style hot items and a live-cooking station that serves made-to-order burgers, omelettes, hotdogs, pancakes, sausages and much more, amid 3,000 different species of flora and fauna that call this place home.

Location: City Walk - Al Wasl - Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 14.9 km

Click Here to Book: The Green Planet Dubai Tickets

Indulge in shopping, dining and entertainment at one of the world’s largest shopping malls right here in the plush Downtown Dubai. Stretched out across a sprawling 12 million sq ft area, the size of Dubai mall is equivalent to 200 soccer pitches. With over 1,200 retail stores, more than 200 outlets serving food and beverages and two anchor department stores, you will be spoiled for choice at this virtual paradise for shoppers.

One of the largest aquariums in the world, the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is also housed within the walls of the Dubai Mall. It has the capacity of holding 10 million litres of water and showcases the underwater marvels with the most varied collections of marine animals worldwide.

Location: Financial Center Street, Along Sheikh Zayed Road, Next to Burj Khalifa - Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 12.4 km

Click Here to Book: Dubai Mall Ice Rink Tickets

This abra dock located in the Deira area of Dubai is minutes away from the other popular souks of Dubai, the Spice Souk, Gold Souk and Perfume Souk. From the dock, you can take a boat that sets out for Bur Dubai Abra Station which lies on the other end of the Dubai Creek.

It is a short journey that takes no more than five minutes and costs just 1 dirham. There are abras lined up for departure every other minute starting early at five in the morning and continuing right up to midnight. You can get a first-hand feel of a ride on the quintessential abra while in Dubai, the very thing to do if you wish to experience the local taste and flair of things. The area around the station is a busy commercial district where you will find a number of small shops and places to eat and drink.

Location: 778X+V5H - Deira - Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 15.5km

Suggested Read: Best Honeymoon Resorts in Dubai

Bur Dubai lies west of the buzzing Creek and is the place to be if you wish to see where it all started hundreds of years ago. Incredible as it may sound, at the time architecture only meant mud and fronds as opposed to mountains of concrete and steel, and the only means of transport was the abra.

Amid the slender lanes by the sand coloured buildings of Bur Dubai, you can still catch sneak peeks into the Emirate’s past. Indulge in cultural breakfasts with locals and venture deep into the markets here selling traditional wear. You can also step into one of the many museums, craft shops and cool off at an alluring courtyard café. The area is dotted with wind towers (barajeel) which were the equivalent of air-conditioning in the olden days.

Location: Bur Dubai, Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 9.8km

Suggested Read: Best Restaurants in Bur Dubai

If you are craving some good old history of this city with a rich past and cultural heritage, plan a visit to the Dubai Museum in the Old Town. The building itself holds great historic significance and is now home to a huge variety of life sized dioramas that picturize the life of an Emirati from the days gone by.

Take a tour along the corridors of this edifice to inculcate the country’s heritage as it comes across from a bygone era through scenes from typically traditional Arab households, mosques and souks. For anyone interested in history, this is the ace to be.

Location: Al Fahidi Fort, Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 14.2 km

Suggested Read: Best Museums in Dubai

Experience the depths of Islamic culture at Dubai’s biggest mosque. Yet another one of the most iconic places to visit near Dubai Creek, the Bur Dubai Grand Mosque has a capacity to hold 1,200 worshippers at a time. It also boasts of having the tallest minaret in the whole of Dubai, at 70 metres and one that almost looks like a lighthouse.

The edifice had started off back in the 1900s as a school for the study of the Quran where the students came out having learnt by heart, the entire holy tome. Apart from the Islamic culture, the building also aims at propagating the Arabic culture with tours that are organized here several days in a week, completely free of charge.

Location: Opposite Dubai Museum, Near Ruler's Court Office - Ali Bin Abi Taleb St - Al Fahidi - Dubai

Distance from Dubai Creek: 14.3 km

Planning a Honeymoon Trip, Checkout: Dubai Honeymoon Packages