Where to go in Dubai’s Old Town

While super-tall skyscrapers and air-conned shopping malls might be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Dubai, the city also has an old district where visitors can see history come to life. Scroll through the gallery to see more things to do in Dubai's Old Town.

At the Al Shindagha Museum, pictured, restored 19th-century homes showcase elements of Emirati culture and Dubai history.

Dubai has a rich maritime past, highlighted by multiple exhibits at the Al Shindagha Museum — including information on its pearl divers, the industry that put the city on the map in the 19th century.

In the Perfume Museum, visitors learn about the history of fragrance making and the origin of the region's signature scent, oud.

Next to Al Shindagha, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood was built in the early 1900s by Iranian traders. The area is now home to cafes and stores featuring traditional craftsmanship, like this textile and carpet shop, Suadna.

The district features traditional Persian architecture, such as wind towers, which capture the sea breeze to cool homes naturally — seen here at The Arabic Teahouse (which also uses fans to help outdoor diners beat the heat), a favorite stop in Al Fahidi for visitors to sample delicious regional dishes.

Next door, Al Khayma Heritage restaurant serves up signature Emirati dishes, with decor featuring historical photographs on the walls.

At Al Khayma, traditional crepe-like "regag" bread and light, donut-esqe "luqaymat" are made fresh.

Beside Al Fahidi district, the Old Dubai Souk is filled with trinkets and souvenirs.

Both Al Shindagha and Al Fahidi sit on the west bank of Dubai Creek, and connect to the old neighborhood across the creek, Deira, via "abras" — small boats that traverse the estuary.

It's the quickest way to cross the creek — and the cheapest, at just 2 dirhams (around $0.50).

Across the creek in Deira are Dubai's famous souks -- a maze of alleys bursting with trinkets, textiles and souvenirs.

In the spice market, pictured, shoppers can explore the flavors and aromas of the city: sumac, cumin, sweet paprika, garam masala and harissa, to name a few.

One of the most popular spices here is saffron, the world's most expensive spice. If you're buying it at the market, make sure you get the real deal: the saffron on the left is fake, which can be identified easily by rubbing a strand with iodine to see if the red color comes off (real saffron retains its color).

In the Gold Souk, admire the thousands of glinting goods on display, including the world's heaviest gold ring, a 58.6-kilogram 21-karat gold band as wide as a torso, set with 5.17 kilograms of precious stones.

Dubai's Gold Souk is known as one of the cheapest places to buy gold. The rate fluctuates, just like the stock market, and a live monitor in each shop shows the current value.

Adjacent to Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood is the wider Al Fahidi area, where dilapidated historic buildings were razed in the 1970s and '80s to make way for new buildings.

In the newer part of Al Fahidi, there's a huge selection of stores and eateries, including Al Ustad Special Kebab, one of the city's oldest restaurants.

The Persian diner serves up sizeable plates of grilled meats, Arabic breads, and mezze for reasonable prices.