DK Travel : Dubai & Abu Dhabi : Bastakiya

Bastakiya

No one has rated this yet.

Rate it

Review this attraction

Are these details incorrect?

The old and atmospheric Bastakiya conservation area has benefited from extensive renovation work in recent years by Dubai Municipality. It gives a picturesque glimpse into the city’s past in sharp contrast to the futuristic architecture and construction boom elsewhere. Traditional sand-coloured windtower houses, often built from coral stone, with elegant courtyards, can be explored as you wander the maze of shady narrow streets and alleys. The facades have been restored to their original state, with Arabesque windows, decorative gypsum panels and screens. This area is now home to art galleries, museums and stylish cafés.
Set aside a couple of hours to fully see the Bastakiya quarter: late in the day, the dying light and long shadows add to the atmosphere. For a light lunch, XVA Gallery offers healthy options such as fresh soups, salad and sandwiches.

Top 10 Features

1. Bastakiya History

Bastak, in southern Iran, is the origin of the name Bastakiya. It was traders from Bastak who founded this area by the Creek in the early 1900s. Drawn by Dubai’s liberal tax policies, they settled here permanently.
2. Traditional Architecture

2. Traditional Architecture

The need to remain cool prompted the distinctive vernacular style of the windtower courtyard houses. Thick walls and narrow windows with intricate Arabesque designs are characteristic.
3. Al Fahidi Fort

3. Al Fahidi Fort

Now Dubai Museum , this Fort dates back to 1787. A sighting recorded in 1822 calls this “a square castel-lated building, with a tower at one angle... with three or four guns mounted”.
4. Old City Wall

4. Old City Wall

Restoration work has reinforced the importance of this part of the original city as a defensive zone following the discovery of part of the original 200-year-old wall.
5. Stamp & Coin Museum

5. Stamp & Coin Museum

Philately House hosts an exhibition of the history of post and currency in the UAE. It explores postal activities before the federation was born.
6. Sheikh Mohamed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Established in 1999 to promote understanding of the customs, this centre offers walking tours, Arabic courses and cultural awareness programmes. The building is a stunning architectural example of a courtyard house.
7. Majlis Gallery

7. Majlis Gallery

Majlis means meeting place in Arabic and this bijou art gallery, with a central garden area, is constructed around a beautifully converted whitewashed Arabic house. Local contemporary artists feature alongside original, and at times quirky, artesian work.
8. Basta Art Café

8. Basta Art Café

Set in a traditional courtyard of a Bastakiya house, Basta Art Café is a great spot to sit among flowering bougainvillea and enjoy lunch or a snack.
9. XVA Gallery, Café & Hotel

9. XVA Gallery, Café & Hotel

Enjoy a snack in the shady courtyard of this restored traditional house. It has art galleries as well as a charming boutique hotel.
10. Bastakiah Nights Restaurant

10. Bastakiah Nights Restaurant

This restaurant’s Arabian atmosphere is best experienced after dusk. The restored building has been opulently furnished.Enjoy a traditional Arabic meal inside or on the rooftop.

Practical Information

Set aside a couple of hours to fully see the Bastakiya quarter: late in the day, the dying light and long shadows add to the atmosphere. For a light lunch, XVA Gallery offers healthy options such as fresh soups, salad and sandwiches. Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding 353 6666 www.cultures.ae Bastakiya walking tours: 10am Sun & Thu Adm XVA 353 5383 Open 9:30am–8pm Sat–Thu www.xvagallery.com Bastakiya Nights 353 7772 Open 12:30pm–11:30pm DDD