Looking for a unique and special way to make your visit to Dubai even more memorable? We confidently suggest taking a tour of Al Seef Street in Dubai. You need to see it for yourself how tradition and modernity are combined here in the most beautiful way. Here is where you’ll experience the fascinating cultural heritage of Dubai and its vibrant contemporary scene. The attractions here are endless if you know where to look, at least that’s what millions of tourists pouring here every year trust and believe.
The best thing about it? It is completely free of charge to visit this wonderful street. In this article by Dxboffplan, we will introduce and reveal every corner and wonderful secrets of Al Seef Street so you’ll be perfectly prepared and adequately excited for your visit.
Al Seef is one of the historical streets of Dubai, nestled along the serene Dubai Creek. The street is divided into two distinct sections: a historical area and a modern district.
The historic area consists of old, well-restored buildings from the 19th century, which have been designed as houses, shops, and restaurants and very nicely represent traditional Arabian architecture. In fact, as recently as the early 1990s, Al Seef was considered a historic place. Then in 2017, the opening of the street’s modern part made Al Seef become a busy commercial and tourist hub, where it attracts tourists around the world.
Meraas Holding, a company known for various landmark projects across Dubai such as Palm Jumeirah development, developed this waterfront into a modern entity where amenities and architecture blend with the richness of culture, history, and tradition found in the United Arab Emirates. The area pictures the history of Dubai, as if taking visitors along in time, by the clever, detailed design.
Beyond the shopping centers, Al Seef Street offers free zones for various open-air activities and events. Many festivals and programs take place here round the year. One of the most convenient aspects of visiting Al Seef is how easy you can reach this place. You can easily reach Al Seef by Dubai public transportation, and here’s how it is done:
It is very well-connected, and coming to Al Seef Street, one can get the metro from BurJuman Station via Red and Green Lines. From here, one will have to take a short walk of 15 minutes to reach Al Seef entrance. If you travel from Deira, then take an abra/water taxi from the Baniyas Station right up to Al Seef.
Additionally, taxis and buses are other viable options for reaching here.
One of the most wonderful and convenient facts about Al Seef Street is that it’s open at all hours and every day of the week. Feel free to visit at any time but it’s still worth noting the operating hours of the shops and restaurants:
Al Seef has always been favored by both tourists and residents alike due to its iconic and unique architecture. Here are some of the top things not to miss when you go for a visit:
The Museum of Illusions along Al Seef Street is a modern wonder that will make your brain confused with reality as it merges with illusion. It’s a fun museum that leaves visitors of all ages amazed; thus, it’s a perfect destination for families. Nothing is what it appears to be here, meaning the mind is in for a thrilling experience. Whether going solo, with friends, or family, this museum will ensure a lifetime experience.
As mentioned earlier, Al Seef is a delightful mix of the old and the new, making a stroll down this street an enjoyable experience. The street stretches approximately 2 kilometers, offering a pleasant walk through both traditional and modern settings. The contrast between the historical buildings and the contemporary structures creates a picture worthy scene. You better bring a camera with you, you won’t regret it.
Al Seef Starbucks is among the famous spots around here. This is no ordinary Starbucks outlet. It’s considered one of the quirkiest, most sought-after Starbucks chains in the UAE. It has been placed in a nicely restored historical building. This particular Starbucks exudes an architectural fusion between modern and traditional. Inside, you’ll find a bright, airy space adorned with wooden chairs and beautiful tables, with traditional Arabian tiles decorating the walls. There’s even a fountain at the center of the store, adding to its charm. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy a coffee while soaking in the rich ambiance of Al Seef.
A ride on an abra is a must when you are in Dubai, and at Al Seef, you get one of the best rides. These wooden traditional boats have been ferrying passengers for centuries across Dubai Creek. From Al Seef, the abra ride will take guests to Dubai Gold Souk, one of the most famous souks in the world with over 300 shops. With this, you’ll also get to take a stroll around the Spice Souk and the Textile Souk; many varieties of spices and traditional fabrics will be in your sight.
Those who desire to purchase souvenirs or access traditional handicrafts and products should not miss a visit to Al Seef Heritage Market. A variety of handcrafted items and traditional services are available in this market. It is worth exploring all the shops just to ensure the best possible purchases have been made.
Dubai is always appreciated because of its top shopping centres and fantastic malls. It is hard to imagine walking anywhere without running into luxury malls, as long as you are in Dubai. Al Seef Street is home to several of them, these are luxury and reputable stores waiting for your purchase.
We suggest a visit to Al Fahidi neighborhood in Al Seef, especially if you are interested in Dubai’s history. This district will seem like a time machine to you, reminding you of the 19th century vibe and atmosphere. Here’s what you could expect:
Al Fahidi is home to the “Dubai Museum”, one of the best museums of Dubai, located in the oldest building in town. This building is called the Al Fahidi Fort, and it was built in 1787. It gives you an idea of how people lived in the Emirates before the era of oil.
After the Dubai Museum, and If you are still in the mood for learning, you can give the Coffee Museum a shot. You will learn everything there is about the UAE’s coffee culture, its history, types of it, and how it is prepared.
You can find The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding here too. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed opened this place, hoping that tourists and residents learn as much as they can about the religion, history, and customs of the UAE.
Here you’ll find a tribute to Dubai’s very first source of livelihood, Dubai Creek, which once served as the center for the pearl diving industry and thus played an important role in the initial development of the city.
One of the most thrilling things to do on Dubai Creek is boarding a cruise ship. The ships are facilitated with restaurants and entertainment venues. Having an evening on Dubai Creek while seeing the views of Al Seef Street could be a night to remember.
For shopping, Al Seef Mall is the best place, although it must not be confused with Al Seef Village Mall in Abu Dhabi. It houses a number of perfume and beauty shops, home goods, and handicrafts showcasing Emirati culture. You will also find gift shops here, perfect for picking up souvenirs.
Along Al Seef Street, there are restaurants of different tastes. Here’s a brief look:
Al Seef Street also has a number of luxury hotels to stay in, if you are looking for an attractive neighborhood with fantastic view, here are your choices:
When planning a visit to anything and anywhere in Dubai, the first thing to do is to consider the weather. We all know about the extremely high temperatures in UAE, especially during the summer. So it’s best to avoid visiting Al Seef street during summer. Winter months would be your best bet, plus you get to enjoy all the discounts and festivals when you arrive, thanks to the festive mood during seasonal celebrations such as Christmas in Dubai.
Al Seef Street in Dubai highlights the difference between traditional and modern aspects of living in the UAE. You will undoubtedly enjoy visiting the colorful and exotic heritage markets, the fancy restaurants you’ll find there, and the exciting cruises you get to experience across Dubai Creek.
If you are looking for a behind the scene look at the rich history and culture of Dubai and all it’s impressive developments into luxury and sophistication, this is the place. While Al Seef and its surroundings are a great point of discovery, one might also grow curious about broader lifestyle opportunities in the city, including just how Dubai property prices align with the emirate’s reputation for luxury living.
Al Seef Street in Dubai is famous for combining Emirati rich cultural heritage with modern services and amenities. You can buy traditional handicrafts and souvenirs here from the shops or visit the luxurious shopping mall. You can also give the restaurants or the Al Fahidi neighborhood a shot.
Activities include exploring Al Seef Heritage Market, walking along the Al Fahidi historical neighborhood for a glimpse of the past, dining in one of its many international restaurants, or even taking a cruise down Dubai Creek. Al Seef Street is also ideal for shopping, dining, cultural exploration, and entertainment meant for all kinds of visitors.
It would be best to visit Al Seef Street from November through March of each year. The temperatures during this time period are cooler in Dubai, making walking outdoors much easier to manage, taking better advantage of the area attractions outside.
From traditional Middle Eastern at Sabaa Restaurant, to unique burgers at Dukkan Burger, and Japanese desserts at Yuki No Hana, Al Seef Street has it all. In addition, for seafood lovers, Al Fanar Seafood Market serves fresh seafood dishes.
