See the history of Dubai hiding in plain sight in old Dubai. Bastakiya, also called Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, is a preserved quarter of old houses that are the last remaining specimens of DDubai’s past days. Today, it is full of miniature museums, art galleries, cafes, and guest houses that tell stories from history and cultural heritage. Al Bastakiya is part of the Dubai city tour.
History of Al Bastakiya
Bastakiya is located in Bur Dubai, a predominantly residential district since the rise of Dubai. During the late 19th century, after a plague decimated much of the city’s population, Deira became the leading marketplace, and Bur Dubai was where they built their houses. There developed a few yet smaller souks in the area nonetheless.
When was Al Bastakiya built?
The buildings in Bastakiya are over a century old. It is believed that Sunni Iranian businessmen who fled persecution in their home country and settled in Dubai around 1890 built it. They were initially from Bastak in Iran, which later became the quarquarter’s where they lived.
During its prime days, the Bastakiya comprised 60 houses separated by narrow and winding lanes. After the 1950s, after Dubai’s newfound economic growth, immigrant workers from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh inhabited these houses. Some of them even became warehouses. But after a few decades, the government of Dubai decided to protect them as a mark of its heritage. They were restored to their former shapes in the early 2000s before opening them to visitors.
Some decades ago, a larger cluster of buildings extended from where the Dubai Museum is today to the present-day entrance of the Bastakiya. Some sets were demolished during the 1980s to build office buildings today. That was before tourism became a thing in Dubai. Nobody was interested in preserving many dilapidated houses on the verge of collapsing.
Wind towers over the buildings were the mark of the rich men in those days. These towers helped cool the homes’ interiors like modern-day air conditioners in hot weather. But these were relatively expensive to build, and those who could not afford them built Arish houses to cope with the summer heat.
Another distinctive mark of these houses is the dark brown wooden doors braced with bronze handles.
Things To Do In Al Bastakiya, Dubai
XVA Gallery
The XVA Gallery showcases the work of Arab artists. It is simultaneously an art gallery, a cafe, and a hotel. The restaurant serves vegetarian dishes of Middle Eastern heritage, although that is a rarity. The rooms in the hotel provide a beautiful view of the courtyard. So, if you want to stay in the same buildings the local Arabs did a century ago in royal style, XVA is the place to go.
Majlis Gallery
The building housing the Majlis Gallery was the house of Mira Abdulla Amiri. Established in the 1960s, it was the first ever art gallery in Dubai. Before becoming an art gallery, it was a guest house to host essential guests from neighboring regions like Oman and Bahrain. Instead of using the walls to hang the artworks, the walls of the Majlis gallery itself are canvases. They have the contributions of a variety of artists over many decades.
Sahara Gate
It is a beautiful building with walls adorned with Arabic calligraphy. Built in 1954 by Sheikh Habib al Haji, this is a prime example of the traditional Arabic architecture in Bastakiya. The original owner handed this to the Dubai Tourism Department in 2005.
Dar Al Nadwa
This two-story building functions as the main auditorium in Bastakiya. During the winter months, something happens here every day.
Architectural Heritage Society
Al Bastakia is a centerpiece that shows the elegance of old Arabic architecture in Bastakiya. It was established in 2003 and preserved and documented the urban heritage in the UAE. The building dates back to 1936 and contains various elements of traditional architecture. Since its renovation and reopening in 2003, it has also doubled as the headquarters of the Urban Heritage Society.
Sheikh Muhammad Center for Cultural Understanding
This is an initiative by the government of Dubai to build understanding and tolerance between different cultures. The center will provide visitors with traditional clothes and UAE cuisine. Visitors can try those garments and enjoy the traditional dishes. This one is not free, though. You have to either book through their official website or book with a tour provider to participate in the cultural programs of SMCCU.
They offer different packages depending on the day you want to visit. You can choose between a cultural breakfast, brunch, lunch, and evening tea. This is a great way to experience the traditional aspects of Dubai, along with traditional tastes.
Restaurants in Al Bastakiya
Arabian Tea House
Even though coffee is the most popular recreational drink in the Arab world, tea also exists. The Arabian Tea House offers 50 varieties of tea and traditional Emirati cuisine. This restaurant’s entrance is on Al Fahidi Street and is easily accessible.
Bastakiya Nights
This restaurant is in the oldest building in Bastakiya. You will know you are somewhere around this restaurant when you smell the aroma of hot kebabs. Unlike the cafe in XVA, which specializes in vegetarian dishes, kebabs are the signature items here.
The restaurant has an open-air courtyard in the center of the building, a refreshing place to enjoy food. This used to be a mansion with a lavish design and is more significant than other buildings in Bastakiya.
Hotels in Al Bastakiya
XVA Gallery
The hotel also has an artsy side to it.
Orient Guest House
This traditional Arab villa was repurposed into a high-end business hotel in Bastakiya. The two-story buildings and others have been restored to their former glory.
Best time to visit Al Bastakiya
The time of Bastakiya is from 9 am to 6 pm. The best time to visit it is in the afternoons during the winter months. This is also a quiet place right next to the creek and
Do you need to book a trip to Bastakiya in advance?
No, you don’t need to book in advance if you only want to see around Bastakiya and visit the art galleries and museums. However, the Sheikh Muhammad Centre for Cultural Understanding requires you to book beforehand to participate in their cultural dining programs. You also have to pay a fee depending on the package and the number of people.
Entrance Fee
Entry to Bastakiya is free. You can walk around and explore the alleys for free. Many of the attractions in Bastakiya are also free. These include the coin museum, XVA Gallery,
Location of Bastakiya
Bastakiya is on the Bur Dubai side of the creek on Al Fahidi Road. Its entrance is next to the Al Fahidi roundabout, where Al Fahidi Road and Al Hamriya Street meet. The old-looking buildings of Bastakiya contrast with the modern concrete structures and are hard to miss.
Another advantage is that the location is well connected by public transport. The Ghubaiba bus station and the Al Fahidi metro station are less than a kilometer away and about five minutes on foot. Alternatively, if you don’t switch between the red and green metro lines, you can walk five more minutes to the Burjuman metro station.
Other attractions near Bastakiya
Being in the heart of old Dubai, there are plenty of attractions near Bastakiya.
On Bur Dubai Side:
Dubai museum
The Dubi Museum is Dubai’s oldest and most comprehensive museum in the Al Fahidi fort.
Al Seef
Al Seef is just opposite the main entrance of Bastakiya. It is a modern mall with traditional architecture similar to Bastakiya.
Textile Souk
The textile Souk is a remanence of the marketplace in Dubai during the early 20th century.
Shindagha Museum
The Shindagha Museum is one of the best museums in Dubai and is within walking distance of Al Bastakiya.
House of Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum—This was the palace of Dubai’s ruler between 1912 and 1958. Today, it functions as a museum displaying household items used by royalty. It also has old photographs and artwork.
Dubai Dolphinarium: watch the performances by dolphins and colorful birds.
Abra: take an Abra ride to Deira.
On Deira’s Side:
Gold Souk—the oldest and busiest gold market in Dubai. It is also one of the best places to buy gold.
The Naif Museum is part of the Naif Police Station, the first in Dubai. The museum curates the history and development of the Dubai police force.
Spice Souk: See the colorful varieties of spices in the old market area of Dubai.
Sikka Art Fair Dubai
Bastakiya hosts one of the country’s most significant cultural and art festivals every year. Leading artists from the UAE and worldwide share their love for the craft here. The Sikka Art Fair in DubaDubai’s heritage center includes art exhibits, movie screenings, poetry competitions, and more.
Sikka is an excellent place for aspiring artists to interact with established artists and attend workshops. There were sixty workshops in 2019 alone, enough to satiate anyone’s creative side.
Bastakiya will be lit up and decorated with colorful banners during the festival season. This historical place has become a center of eclectic modern art. The festival lasts for ten days. Sikka is held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Muhammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum. So, if you are an art enthusiast, plan your Bastakiya visit to coincide with the Sikka Arts Fair.