Dubai on Friday
Unfortunately my Dubai visit will be on a Friday during March. I'm thinking to go to Dubai Mall in the morning, then visit old Dubai in the afternoon.I'd like to know if is it feasable on foot: starting from Heritage Village, Al Maktoum's house, then go to Bur Dubai's souq, Dubai Museum (will be open?)and a stroll to Bastakija. Looking at the map these places doesn't seems to be far away to walk from each other but I'm not so sure. Please, any advices? Thanks.
1
Yes, it's quite easy to walk between those places in Bur Dubai. I think the museum will open in the early afternoon on Friday.While you're in Bur Dubai, you could also take an abra across the Creek to Deira and walk around the souqs there.
You'll see a good mix of new Dubai in the morning and old Dubai in the afternoon.
3
While I agree that walking through the Old Dubai souks (Bur Dubai, Deira, etc) is quite an easy and fun experience, the rest of the city is not set up particularly well for walkers. I would suggest that if you visit Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa (highly recommended), you take the city metro. It is cheap, safe and convenient. There are several metro stops in the old Souk areas that will take you to Dubai Mall for approximately 1USD one way. The time you save will allow you to see more of this interesting and diverse city.4
I agree with #3 that the Metro is a good way to get around to other parts of the city. But I'm not sure about the operating hours of the Metro on Fridays. The last time I was there, the Metro didn't start running until 2pm on Fridays. Anyway if the Metro is not running, it's easy enough to get a taxi to/from Dubai Mall.5
matt45 is correct, the metro doesn't start running till after 1pm on Fridays. But you can spend the morning in Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa and head to the metro about 1.30pm (I'm not sure the exact opening time but I think it's a bit before 2pm).Your walking tour sounds fine and I'd also highly recommend the abra (water taxi) ride across Dubai Creek. It's a lot of fun and only 1 dirham.
If you are in Dubai in the evening then try to return to the Burj Khalifa area after dark and see the fantastic fountain show on the lake. It runs 6-11pm, every half hour.
6
Dubai Mall will open at 10 am, but nothing in the souk areas will be open until after mid day prayers ( around 1). The metro starts running at 2 on a Friday. Your walk will be a very nice one, and definitely take the abra across to the Spice Souk and then walk through the Gold Souk. Anyone can point you in the direction of the Gold Souk.
