Old Town Island

The Old Town Island, a tribute to Old Dubai

The Dubai audio-guided tour lets you discover the Old Town Island, a set of hotel complexes and apartments whose architecture takes up the traditional Arab style. A true tribute to Old Dubai, this district contrasts with the ultramodern towers that surround it.

Materials of traditional inspiration

The buildings are constructed with materials that reproduce the appearance of gypsum plaster, clay and sarooj, used in the twentieth century for the construction of the region's old villages. The whole recreates a picturesque, traditional landscape that transports you into the Arab atmosphere of the past, a rare choice in a city turned towards modernity.

What there is to see

The district offers a picturesque setting where you wander among lanes, sand-coloured façades and terraces, at the foot of the Burj Khalifa. This contrast between recreated tradition and modern skyscrapers neatly sums up the spirit of Dubai. It is a pleasant place to stroll and appreciate another side of the city, more intimate and warm.

Practical information

The Old Town Island is in the Downtown district, near the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall. The district can be walked freely on foot; the hotels, shops and restaurants keep their own hours. The walk is on the level.

Why is it called the old town?

The district pays tribute to Old Dubai with its traditional Arab-style architecture, which recreates the appearance of the region's old villages, even though these are recent buildings.

What materials do the buildings imitate?

The buildings reproduce the appearance of gypsum plaster, clay and sarooj, materials once used to build the traditional villages of the region.