Deira – Dubai’s Evolving Commercial District

Discover the charm of Deira, Dubai’s formal commercial hub; visit the famous gold and spice souks; enjoy a Dhow cruise on Dubai Creek and so much more. Nearly all of our Egypt and Dubai tours include a visit to Deira.

Deira Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Deira district in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Deira has historically served as Dubai’s main commercial district, but in more recent years this has been changing rather rapidly as more and more businesses have been setting up shop at various areas along Dubai’s E 11 Road which is also known as Sheikh Zayed Road, and also in a number of others further towards Abu Dhabi in the south.

Despite Deira no longer being the place it was several years ago, you will often see this area mentioned in quite a few Dubai and Egypt vacation packages. The reason for this being that the area has a special sort of charm which you won’t really encounter in Dubai’s more modern commercial areas.

Deira is also home to a number of popular Dubai tourist attractions so it is certainly an area in Dubai which is worth a visit.

Apart from the various attractions, the area is also home to a small port where you will find several traditional Dhow boats that offer excellent cruises, including unforgettable dinner cruises on Dubai Creek. Okay, let us take a brief look at some top attractions at Deira:

The Deira Gold Souk

Gold on the famous -Golden souk- in Dubai Deira market

Jewellery shop in the Gold Souk in Dubai, Deira.

If you have spent any time browsing through our Egypt and Dubai Tours, you may have noticed that many of the itineraries include a visit to the “Gold Souk” in Dubai. Well, that gold souk is here in Deira, and it is incredibly popular among locals and foreigners alike.

It is unlikely that you will be able to see such a vast collection gold jewelry on display in a single area, anywhere else in the world. You can honestly expect to see tons of gold being openly displayed. From tiny intricate pieces of jewelry, to full body armor, the Gold Souk has it all, and more.

The quality of the gold at the souk is very high, and prices are often lower than what people would pay in their own countries. For this reason, many people routinely travel to Dubai only to buy gold at the souk.

The Gold Souk is open every day of the week from 10h00 to 13h00 and again from 15h00 to 22h00.

The Spice Souk

Whether you want to stock up on some exotic spices to take back home with you or not, the Spice Souk is another fascination place to visit in Deira. However, if you are enthusiastic about cooking and preparing meal at home, then the Spice Souk should definitely be on your list of “must-visit” places.

Many of the herbs and spices here are extremely difficult to obtain in other parts of the world, and you would be surprised at how many of them can greatly enhance the sort of dishes we have grown up with in our own countries.

Apart from all the magnificent aromas that sweep you away when you enter the souk, one also cannot help noticing how beautifully stack the herbs and spices are. They really are displayed with a genuine sense of pride, and the whole experience does an amazing job of remind us about the important roles these herbs and spices have played during our planet’s history.

The Spice Souk is open Mondays to Thursdays from 16h00 to 22h00, and on Fridays from 09h00 to 22h00

Seawings Sightseeing Flights

Burj Al Arab from-Seawings Seaplane

Burj Al-Arab seen from a Seawings Seaplane.

Seawings is a company located at Deira that offers unforgettable sightseeing flights over Dubai in a immaculate seaplane. The plane takes off from the water of Dubai Creek, and takes you on a flight that covers the entire Dubai coastline; the architectural wonders of Dubai, and a large stretch of the surrounding desert. After the flight is complete, the plane once again lands on the water of Dubai Creek at Deira.

The company also offers customized flights based on the exact need of their clients, including things like weddings and corporate events. Prices vary depending on a number of things, including the number of passengers; the length of the tour, and the time of year. If you can afford one of these flights, then we would certainly recommend that you take advantage of the opportunity.

Seawings offices are located just opposite Deira city center, and they are open every day of the week from 08h30 to 21h00.

Xxtreme Simulation

If you want to experience what it feels like to be a racing driver, then you should seriously consider visiting a venue called Xxtreme Simulation. This is one of the most advanced racing simulators in the world, and the only racing simulator in Dubai. The venue is located in the Business Atrium Building at Oud Metha at Deira.

Xxtreme offers a total of eight different racing car simulators, all of which come complete with pit stops and a leader board which allows you to track your progress. The center is in fact used by real-life racing drivers so you can be certain that you will be experiencing the real deal.

Xxtreme Simulation is open on Sundays to Thursdays from 11h00 to 23h00 and on Fridays from 14h00 to 24h00.

Visiting Deira District with Egypt Tours Plus

Clock tower in Deira in Dubai

The characteristic Clock Tower in Deira, Dubai.

In this short guide to Deira, we have only briefly touched on a few popular Dubai attractions which are located in the area. However, there are several other noteworthy attractions as well, including places such as the Clock Tower, Heritage House, and the Women’s Museum.

If you are only going to be in Dubai for a few days, then we wouldn’t recommend spending too much time at Deira, although we would recommend a visit to the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk if at all possible.

If you are contemplating booking one of our Egypt and Dubai tours, it is likely that these two souks will be included in your preferred tour.

Nonetheless, if you want to visit any of the sites at Deira, please check to see if they are mentioned in the itinerary of your chosen tour, and remember, if they are not, we can always add them if you ask us to.

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Last Updated on July 19, 2020