Bastakiya

For history lovers, Dubai can sometimes be a disppointment when all you can do here is eat, shop and relax by the pool.  One place which should be a must on your to-do list is Bastakiya.  You can spend as long as a full day in this small area just walking through the quaint little lanes and admiring the beautifully restored architecture that was once Dubai's first commercial district dating back to the 1900s inhabited mainly by rich Persian merchants. Many of the traditional buildings which were mainly residences have now been carefully restored and converted to cafes, museums, art galleries and shops.  If visiting during the cooler months you will especially love to walk through all the narrow streets and admire the old wind towers, which, back in the day, were the main mode of air conditioning.  Great photo opportunities of arabic architecture and lovely kept courtyards.  

To get a detailed idea as to the development of Dubai, take some time out to visit Dubai Museum, it will take about an hour and only a short walk away you'll find the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House.  This building dates back to the late 1800s and now houses a unique collection of historical photos, artifacts, coins etc - great for all you historians!  After this, make your way to the Heritage and Diving Village, only a couple of minutes walk away.  This great recreation of an old time village shows how settlers used to once live and make their livelihood through simple handicrafts.  The late night cafeterias make it a perfect place to while away time and relax.

Points of Note –

• Legend goes that in the era gone by the wind tower or the barjeel as it is locally known was indicative of the wealth of the family, meaning the more number of barjeels projecting towards the sky the wealthier the family residing in Bastikiya would be.
• Likewise, the size of the door in a traditional house is linked to cultural behaviour in the sense that the main door permitting the men would be large so as to permit entry without having to bend while the inner doors would be smaller in size.
• One of the best ways to visit Bastakiya would be to simply walk around and explore the area after an ethnic breakfast in the morning served at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding.
• Having dipped into the local cuisine, it is time to head towards the waterfront and stop to admire Bastakiya Nights, a traditional courtyard house which has been converted into a restaurant. Enticing that the venue is it is but natural for a visitor to wish to have dinner here so planning the itinerary to spend the evening here is not uncommon. In close proximity is the modern white mosque which is an architectural wonder in itself laced with intricate patterns.
• Another must-see in Bastakiya is the remnants of the Old City Wall, a gypsum-and-coral structure constructed in 1800 A.D. for the purpose of defence.
• Further exploring would reveal a number of different art galleries like XVA, a contemporary art gallery which features film screenings as well, Ave Gallery and Majlis gallery which has been in operation since 1970s’. By this time, you would be so thirsty that the Basta Art Café nestled amongst natural surroundings of trees and potted plants would seem like a God-send with its comprehensive menu of refreshments, sandwiches and salads.

When – Bastakiya can be visited at any time and after 10 in the morning should be ideal as most of the art galleries, museums and shops open by then.

How Long – It is possible to whizz through the entire area in an hour although art and architecture lovers can linger around for much longer.  

Location – This historic district of Dubai is located along the Dubai Creek and is characterized by narrow and winding lanes and recounting the names of any of the popular landmarks like XVA Gallery or SMCCU to your taxi driver would suffice.

Cost – Obviously you are not charged for walking around Bastakiya but entry to SMCCU will cost depending on the programme you have been booked for and gaining access to the art gallery will vary from one gallery to another.

Booking – Booking may be required for the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding depending on what you want to do but otherwise most of the other venues are open to travellers and tourists without any preplanning.