Dubai Attraction | Al Seef: An Artistic Open-Air Market With Aladdin Movie-Like Streets, Perfect For Taking Cultural And Aesthetic Photos! Don’t Miss It!

If you want to see the allure of traditional Arabic sand-coloured wind towers, immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of a cultural open-air market that looks like Aladdin movie scenes, and visit a Starbucks with unique Emirati design, then Al Seef in the Old Dubai area is an absolute must-visit when travelling to Dubai! This article will take you on a journey to discover the charm of Al Seef and provide you with information about special transportation options to reach this remarkable destination.

Situated by the Dubai Creek in the Old Dubai area, Al Seef is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dubai and holds a special place in my heart. From the moment you step foot into this enchanting place, you will feel like you’ve been transported into the streets of Aladdin’s magical tale, with an alluring Arabian mystique. I was so fascinated by its charm that I kept going back, despite the distance from where I lived.

Although the architecture in Al Seef is not original, as it has been meticulously recreated to resemble ancient structures and offer a glimpse into the old Dubai ambiance, it still stands as one of the few places where you can experience the old Dubai vibe, distinct from the modern skyscrapers.

The area of Al Seef features many restaurants, and shops selling Arabian cultural souvenirs including clothings, boutiques, Aladdin’s magic lamps, colourful mosaic lamps and more, making it a perfect place to buy Dubai souvenirs. Moreover, the vintage vibe, Arabian traditional wind towers, doors, windows all contribute to its charm and are amazing for cultural photography.

During your visit, I recommend taking a few turns into the maze-like alleyways of Al Seef to discover unique shops and picturesque corners while strolling through its enchanting ambiance.

Additionally, taking a walk along the canal offers a relaxing experience. It is in this area that you will find the unique Arabian-themed Starbucks, which has become one of the most famous Instagram-worthy spots in Dubai. You can find the exact location by clicking here.

List of Contents

Dubai Al Seef Restaurant Recommendations
How to Get to Al Seef Dubai

Dubai Al Seef Restaurant Recommendations

After visiting Al Seef several times, I didn’t find any particularly outstanding restaurants in the Al Seef area. However, if you walk about 15 minutes to Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, you will find a few Middle Eastern specialty restaurants that are great.

I have tried Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe and Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant, both of which offer a wide selection of dishes that are delicious and have culturally themed decor. For other recommended restaurants in Dubai, you can check this article.

How to Get to Al Seef Dubai

There are multiple transportation options to reach Al Seef in Dubai. You can choose the transportation type based on where you set off:

Take the Dubai Metro to Al Seef

If you are near the Dubai Metro, you can take the metro and get off at Burjuman Station. From there, it’s just an 11-minute walk to Al Seef. This is an easy and cost-effective way to visit Al Seef. However, I do not recommend taking this way during the hot summer months.

Take a Water Taxi to Al Seef

If you are going from the Gold Souk or Spice Souk and want to go to Al Seef, you have the option to take a unique water taxi. From the Deira Old Souq Water Taxi Station, you can board the water taxi bound for Al Fahidi and then continue to Al Seef. The journey typically takes around 10 minutes or even less.

The best part is that the fare is crazily cheap! It costs only AED 2 for a one-way trip to a single station. I personally paid AED 2 to reach Al Fahidi, and since Al Seef is two stations away, the fare should be AED 4. This is undoubtedly the cheapest transportation I have ever taken in Dubai!

I highly recommend incorporating a visit to Al Seef, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, the Spice Souk, and the Gold Souk into your Dubai itinerary and choose the water taxi as your transportation for a different experience.

Please note that the fare for the traditional wooden boat known as Abra is different, which is AED 60 for every 30 minutes.

Take the RTA Dubai Ferry to Al Seef

If you are near Dubai Marina or Dubai Water Canal, you can take the RTA Dubai Ferry. The fare for a silver card is AED 25 for one station and AED 50 for two stations. For a gold card, it is AED 35 for one station and AED 70 for two stations.

I took the Dubai Ferry from Dubai Marina to Al Ghubaiba Marine Transport Station, and the journey took approximately 2 hours with a fare of AED 50.

Along the way, you can enjoy the iconic landmarks of Dubai, including Ain Dubai, Atlantis The Palm & Atlantis The Royal, Burj Al Arab, and Burj Khalifa. The view of the blue sea is breathtaking! You can have a clearer understanding of the waterfront scenery by watching this short video.

After arriving at the station, you can walk to Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and Al Seef. It takes about 20 minutes to reach Al Fahidi and 30 minutes to reach Al Seef. I recommend this itinerary for winter visits only though, as walking in the summer heat of 40-50 degrees Celsius is not advisable. In such cases, it’s better to take a taxi.

Take a Taxi to Al Seef

For those who don’t drive in Dubai, taxis are the most convenient and quickest way to travel in Dubai. If you are staying at a hotel, you can ask the hotel staff to arrange a taxi for you.

Alternatively, you can download the Careem app which allows you to book taxis and order food. It’s very convenient, and the fare is slightly cheaper than getting a taxi on the street. I relied on the Careem app for most of my transportation and food delivery needs in Dubai.

Dubai Hotel Recommendations (Convenient Areas to Stay in Dubai)

When visiting Dubai for a few days, staying in areas that are convenient for transportation and close to main attractions is crucial to avoid missing out on experiences.

So, if you are looking for hotels with good views and convenient locations while travelling in Dubai, I recommend the following four awesome areas to stay in. Click the links below to find available hotels in your preferred area.

Palm Jumeirah: a palm shaped artificial island on the Persian Gulf with many luxury, international 5-stars hotels, aesthetic beach bars, restaurants and is an awesome and high end place for the beach holiday.
Jumeirah Beach Residence: situated right on the beach area, offering a stunning view of Ain Dubai (the biggest ferris wheel in the world) and the magical Bluewaters Island. There are a great number of restaurants, cafes, shops, and bars for you to enjoy!
Dubai Marina: is a nice canal city where you can find many restaurants along the canal and with a stunning skyline view. It is close to the popular JBR beach, Bluewaters Island, Ain Dubai (biggest ferris wheel in the world), as well as Dubai Mall, Pier 7 (where you get to find 7 decent restaurants that provide alcohol). So yes, it is certainly an energetic, convenient place to live or stay when you travel to Dubai. I stayed in InterContinental Dubai Marina when I lived in this area, and enjoyed it. You can check my review about it.
Downtown Dubai: a vivid trendy area where Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building) and the Dubai Mall are located. If you love the vivid city life and seeing amazing skyscrapers from your hotels, you will love this area.

Dubai Attraction | Al Seef: An Artistic Open-Air Market with Aladdin Movie-Like Streets, Perfect for Taking Cultural and Aesthetic Photos! Don’t Miss it!

Dubai Al Seef Restaurant Recommendations