Cross the Creek for One DirhamBoard a wooden abra at Bur Dubai Abra Station and putter across Dubai Creek to Deira for one dirham, the cheapest commute in the richest city on earth.ActiveEasy20 min
Find Najmat Taiba, the World's Largest Gold Ring, in the Gold SoukHunt down Najmat Taiba, the world's largest gold ring, sitting behind glass at Kanz Jewels in the Deira Gold Souk, weighing more than a large dog.WeirdEasy25 min
Eat Kabab at Al Ustad, Dubai's Most Photo-Wallpapered RestaurantSqueeze into Al Ustad Special Kabab on Mankhool Street, Dubai's oldest Iranian joint since 1978, where the walls are wallpapered in thousands of photos of past diners.Food & DrinkEasy1 hr
Stand Under a Barjeel Wind Tower in Al FahidiWander the sikka lanes of the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and stand beneath a barjeel wind tower, the coral-and-gypsum air conditioning Dubai used before electricity.CultureEasy40 min
Sip Charcoal Qahwa for FreeClimb into the free Coffee Museum in Al Fahidi and watch a barista brew Arabic qahwa over open charcoal, then drink it like it is the year 1850.Rainy DayEasy35 min
Watch Fridges Sail to SomaliaStroll the Deira Dhow Wharfage on the creek around 5pm and watch crews hand-load wooden boats with TVs and tyres bound for Iran, India and East Africa.Local DetailEasy30 min
Buy a Marigold Garland Behind the MosqueSlip into Hindi Lane behind the Bur Dubai Grand Mosque, where hawkers sell flower garlands and incense outside the Shri Nathje Jayate Krishna Mandir.Hidden GemEasy25 min
Blend Your Own OudDuck into the Perfume Souk on Sikkat al Khail in Deira and have a shopkeeper mix you a custom alcohol-free attar of oud, rose and amber from the bottles on the wall.SocialMedium40 min
Taste Chocolate Made From CamelsFind the tucked-away Al Nassma camel-milk chocolate kiosk in an alley of the Deira Gold Souk and try the world's first chocolate made from camel milk.Food & DrinkEasy20 min
Get Hustled Over Dried LimesBrave the narrow Deira Spice Souk near Old Souk Abra Station, sniff sacks of saffron and frankincense, and haggle hard for a bag of loomi dried limes you didn't know you needed.Photo HuntMedium35 min
Beat the heat on Kite Beach's trackLace up before 8am and join the residents pounding the soft-rubber 14km running track that hugs Kite Beach, with the Burj Al Arab posing in the distance the whole way. Hit a smart shower to cool off when the sun starts winning.ActiveMedium45 min
Jog the Marina before it turns into brunchTake an early-morning loop along the pedestrian-only Dubai Marina Walk while it's still all joggers and stroller-pushers, not selfie sticks and shisha. The 7km canal-side promenade lets you decide your own distance before the cafes wake up.ActiveEasy40 min
Picnic in Creek Park and Ride an Abra for AED 2Pay the AED 5 to wander Creek Park's shaded lawns and playgrounds, then let the kids hop a traditional wooden abra along the water for a couple of dirhams. Bring a picnic and you've spent less than a cold drink at the mall.FamilyEasy1 hr 15 min
Claim a railing for the free fountain showSkip the pricey boat ride and grab a spot on the free waterfront promenade around Burj Lake, where the Dubai Fountain dances every 30 minutes from 6pm. Aim for the 7 or 8pm show and let the kids count how many times the water out-shouts the music.FamilyEasy30 min
Cross the Creek for one dirham at Al SeefStroll the heritage-styled Al Seef boardwalk along Dubai Creek, then load the whole family onto an abra for the AED 1 crossing that locals have used for generations. It's the cheapest boat ride in the city and the kids will think it's the best one.FamilyEasy1 hr