When we hear about beaches in Dubai, we always think of skyscrapers, artificial islands, ambitious building projects, luxury yachts, and so on. Yes, Dubai is undoubtedly a symbol of modernity, but the city has an old part that although not as attractive to tourists as the new one is interesting to visit. If you do not get too deep, the walk in the sucks (markets) will take you no more than 3-4 hours.
We started our tour of Bastakiya quarter, not far from Al Fahidi Metro Station. This is one of Dubai's most important historical districts, founded in the late 19th century when wealthy merchants from Iran build their homes here.
Today, in this historic district, there are craft shops, art galleries, cafes and a mosque. Bastakiya quarter is located next to Dubai Creek - a channel separating Bur Dubai and Deira. Just against 1 dirham, you can ride on abrams (as well as local ones) and cross the canal.
The photos may seem a bit startling to see how many people have boarded this boatlike look but it was an interesting and fun experience for me. We even managed to crash into another set of departure! After about 3 hours of walking around the suckers and another 1 hour of inexhaustible search for beach oil, we headed for the most beautiful beach in Dubai - Al Mamzar Beach. The fun of looking for beach oil was that we were actually on a street full of cosmetic stores, but nowhere could we buy at retail! Finally, we managed a pharmacy.
And since we had already lost a lot of time in the wandering, we took a taxi to the beach. We decided that there was no chance of finding any bus stop, and we saved this headache from 20 dirhams.
Otherwise, from the bus station to the gold market, there is a C28 bus, which reaches the beach in question for about an hour. On the way back, we took the bus because there was a huge taxi queue and no taxi at the same time! Al Mamzar Beach Park is a lovely complex consisting of five beaches.
There are beautiful, green adjoining areas and I suppose it is quite full on the weekend. The entrance is 5 dirhams, there are toilets, dressing rooms, showers, umbrellas, palm trees . When we went we were almost empty and I loved it so much! If I come to Dubai for a sea holiday, I would only come here on the beach, nothing more remote. Another beach we visited was Jumeirah open beach - a free beach right next to Burj Al-Arab.
There are showers and changing rooms, but there are no palm trees or umbrellas. At more extreme temperatures the experience would not be very pleasant ... Here the water was warmest - I note it, because we were still in February and it matters. Our last afternoon we decided to visit Jumeirah Beach Park for 2-3 hours. The entrance is 5 dirhams, again there are all necessary amenities such as umbrellas, lounges, dressing rooms, showers, even natural palm shade, but honestly, I was not able to grab this beach.
I am accustomed to walking on more deserted beaches and this was definitely not my place. We were only 4 days in Dubai, one of the days we chose for Abu Dhabi. So, I'm not saying that we have fully reviewed the city. All the more so that we were giving it a little lass - we had decided that whatever we see - we see, but we will always spend 2-3 hours a day for a beach.
To bake at the beach we did, but some places in the program were not able to visit. And although we do not have the habit of repeating destinations - I always say - "Nothing, that's a good reason to get back!" Moreover, Dubai is constantly changing, and probably even after two years will have nothing to do with what we have seen.