Deira

Deira is the north bank of Dubai Creek and the commercial half of the old city. The Gold Souk and the Spice Souk are its two named draws, a few minutes’ walk apart behind the corniche, and both are working markets rather than exhibits — the gold is sold by weight against the daily rate and the price of the making is where the negotiation happens. The Deira Waterfront Market, further north, is where the city’s fish actually arrives. Between them sit Naif, the electronics streets, and Deira City Centre for ordinary shopping. Four Metro stations serve the district, including Al Ras and Palm Deira right inside the souk quarter, and the abra to Bur Dubai leaves from the Old Souk and Deira Old Souk stations on the water. Come in the evening: most souk stalls open late and stay open late.