Al Fahidi Quarter (Old Dubai)

The Al Fahidi Quarter (previously known, and sometimes still referred to as the Bastakia neighborhood) was built in the late 19th century to be the home of wealthy Persian merchants who dealt mainly in pearls and textiles and were lured to Dubai because of the tax-free trading and access to Dubai Creek. Al Fahidi is located in the eastern part of Bur Dubai along the creek, and the houses here, many of which have walls topped with wind towers, have been kept exceptionally well.

The dwellings in this area were equipped with wind-towers, which served as an early kind of air conditioning by funneling wind down into the homes. This architectural feature, which is typical of Iranian seaside homes, was probably brought to the Gulf by Persian traders. The small roads, which are lined with distinctive Arabian architecture, strongly recall a bygone, more slower era in Dubai's history. Both the Majlis Gallery, which has a collection of traditional Arab pottery and furniture housed in a wind tower, and the Al Serkal Cultural Foundation, which has a store, a café, and changing art exhibitions, are located inside the neighborhood (located in one of the historic buildings).