Al Bastakiya is a historical district located on the Dubai Creek in Bur Dubai. A visit to this district offers a picturesque glimpse into the city’s past and provides a sharp contrast to the striking architecture and immense skyscrapers of modern Dubai. Narrow alleyways, traditional mud houses, historic wind towers, and small shops characterize the landscape and give the district a unique character. Especially in the evenings, there is a special atmosphere in this part of Dubai.
In the Al Bastakiya district, also known as the outdoor museum of Dubai, you can find the Al Fahidi Fort, where the Dubai Museum is located. Opposite the Dubai Museum is the Dubai Grand Mosque. Additionally, there are various art galleries established, and you can visit the Calligraphy House to admire the art of calligraphy.
The history of the Al Bastakiya district
The history of the Al Bastakiya district dates to around 1900 when Iranian traders came to Dubai and settled on the banks of the Creek. They built about sixty houses for pearl and textile traders and named the district after their birthplace, the South Persian province of Bastak.
Thanks to the contribution of the Iranian traders, Dubai grew into an international port after World War I, and the district grew steadily along with it. As a token of appreciation for their contribution, all Iranian immigrants and their family members were granted citizenship of the United Arab Emirates after independence was declared in 1971.
In the 1970s, the entire area fell into decline as many families left their traditional homes to live elsewhere in the city in modern villas. Fortunately, the government of Dubai realized that this historic part of Dubai should not be lost and decided to renovate the district thoroughly in 2005. During this restoration, the district was restored to its original state with various museums, making it a sight not to be missed.
The wind towers in Al Bastakiya
During a stroll through Al Bastakiya, you will quickly come across the characteristic wind towers, locally known as “barjeel”. These wind towers were the first form of air conditioning in the world and also indicated the prosperity of the resident – the more barjeels a house had, the richer the resident was. The wind towers worked simply but effectively: cool air was blown into the houses through four open sides, all hollowed out in a V-shape, while hot air flowed out through these wind towers.
Where is Al Bastakiya located in Dubai?
The district of Al Bastakiya is situated in the old part of Dubai, in the Bur Dubai area near the Dubai Creek. If you’re arriving by private transport, the best place to park is at the Alserkal Cultural Foundation Parking lot.
If you prefer public transportation to reach the historic district of Dubai, you can take the bus or metro. The bus stations close to the district are the Heritage Village stop, approximately 250 meters away, or the Fahidi, Roundabout 2 stop, around 350 meters away. Alternatively, you can get off at the Bastakia 1 stop, which is about 400 meters away, or the Dubai Museum stop, around 700 meters away from the district. The nearest metro station is Sharaf DG on the green line of the Dubai Metro, located approximately 750 meters away from Al Bastakiya.
