Old and Modern Dubai Full-Day Private Tour with Blue Mosque Visit
by Our Choice Tourism
Overview
This full-day private tour in Dubai lasts about 7 to 8 hours and covers both historic and modern parts of the city. The tour includes private pickup and air-conditioned transportation with bottled water provided. The itinerary starts with a visit to the Gold Souk, a traditional market famous for its wide selection of gold jewelry from different parts of the world. Next, the tour stops outside Zabeel Palace, the former residence of Shaikh Rashid, built in the 1960s and located among Dubai’s modern skyline. Afterward, the tour continues with a walk through Al Seef, a waterfront district alongside Dubai Creek that blends heritage sites and contemporary culture. Visitors also see the Dubai Water Canal, an artificial canal opened in 2016 that features hotels, restaurants, shops, walkways, and cycle paths along its banks. The tour includes a 45-minute visit to the Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque, one of the first mosques in Dubai open to non-Muslims. Tours here are offered twice daily from Sunday to Thursday, and visitors must follow a dress code: men wear long trousers, women wear long dresses with a headscarf. The next stops are Souk Madinat Jumeirah, a modern souk with shops, galleries, and dining options near waterways; and photo stops outside the Burj Al Arab, the world’s first seven-star hotel, and Jumeirah Public Beach, a popular spot for swimming and water sports. The tour then passes the Royal Atlantis Resort on Palm Jumeirah, an architectural landmark with luxury rooms and private pools, also for photo stops only. The route continues along Dubai Marina Walk, a promenade with restaurants, shops, and views of yachts. The tour also includes views of Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest observation wheel on Bluewater Island, and photo stops at Burj Khalifa, the tallest building globally, and Dubai Frame, a large structure offering views of old and new Dubai. The tour includes all listed attractions and photo stops but does not enter the Burj Al Arab or Royal Atlantis Resort. The entire duration includes travel time between stops.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
Gold Souk
The tour includes a one-hour visit to the Gold Souk, one of Dubai’s oldest traditional markets. Visitors can browse numerous shops offering gold jewelry crafted in different designs and carats from around the world.
60 min
Zabeel Palace
The tour stops outside Zabeel Palace for about 15 minutes. This palace was built in the 1960s as the residence of Shaikh Rashid, former UAE prime minister. Located in Zabeel, the area has developed from sand-covered land into part of Dubai’s skyline. The palace design was created by Otto Bulart, who also designed Dubai's Clock Tower.
15 min
Al Seef Walk
About 30 minutes are spent walking through Al Seef, a waterfront district on Dubai Creek’s shores. This area combines heritage sites with modern shops and restaurants, connecting to the historical Al Fahidi neighborhood.
30 min
Dubai Water Canal
The tour passes the Dubai Water Canal, an artificial canal opened in 2016. The canal area includes one shopping center, four hotels, 450 restaurants, luxury housing, as well as walkways and cycle paths along the water.
The Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque And Centre
A 45-minute visit is made to the Blue Mosque, one of the first mosques in Dubai open to non-Muslims. It functions as a place of worship and community center with a youth club and lecture hall. Tours run twice daily from Sunday to Thursday, with a required dress code for visitors.
45 min
Souk Madinat Jumeirah By Dubai Retail
The tour spends 30 minutes at Souk Madinat, a modern Arabic market within the Madinat Jumeirah resort. It features shops, galleries, and over 25 dining options, with views of water channels. The souk combines traditional elements with modern features.
30 min
Burj Al Arab
There is a 10-minute photo stop outside the Burj Al Arab, the world’s first seven-star hotel and a symbol of Dubai’s luxury hospitality.
10 min
Jumeirah Public Beach
The tour includes a 15-minute stop at Jumeirah Public Beach, known locally as Nessnass Beach. This beach offers a clean sandy area and calm waters popular for family visits and water sports like kitesurfing.
15 min
Royal Atlantis Resort
A brief 15-minute stop outside the Royal Atlantis Resort on Palm Jumeirah allows for photos. The hotel features 795 rooms, suites, and penthouses spread across 500 metres of prime beachfront, with 44 units having private infinity pools.
15 min
Dubai Marina Walk
The tour includes a 15-minute walk along Dubai Marina Walk, a promenade lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops. The marina is a residential area with leisure activities and views of yachts.
15 min
Ain Dubai
Visitors see Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest observation wheel at 250 meters high on Bluewater Island. The wheel’s legs are 126 meters tall, and the assembled hub weighs as much as four A380 airplanes.
Burj Khalifa
A 60-minute stop outside the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at 828 metres (2717 feet), located next to Dubai Mall. It has observation decks on the 124th, 125th, and 148th floors, with the highest deck at 555 metres. The visit includes photo opportunities but no entry.
60 min
Dubai Frame
The tour passes the Dubai Frame in Zabeel Park, a 150-meter tall and 93-meter wide structure shaped like a picture frame. It offers views of old Dubai to the north and the modern cityscape to the south.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
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