Dubai Guide
Deira
North of the Dubai Creek lies Deira, the second of the city centre's two principal districts, founded in 1841, when settlers from Bur Dubai crossed the Creek to establish a new village here. Deira rapidly overtook its older neighbour and remains notably more built-up and more cosmopolitan than Bur Dubai, with a heady ethnic mix of Emiratis, Arabs, Indians, Pakistanis, Somalis, African traders, Russian bargain-hunters and Western tourists thronging its packed streets. For the visitor, Deira's main attraction is its myriad souks – most obviously the famous Gold Souk and the atmospheric Spice Souk – although in many ways the entire district is one enormous bazaar through which it's possible to wander for mile after mile without ever surfacing. Deira is also home to a pair of interesting traditional buildings – the Heritage House and Al Ahmadiya School – while along the banks of the Creek itself you'll find the atmospheric Dhow Wharfage, an authentic taste of Dubai past, along with a clutch of striking modernist buildings centred on the landmark National Bank of Dubai – an icon of Dubai's dazzling present.