Al Shindagha, the tip of the Creek

You are in Al Shindagha, the narrow strip of land between the Creek and the open sea. From here the entrance to the harbour could be controlled, which is why this was the district where Dubai’s rulers and their families lived.

1The arrival of the Al Maktoum

In 1833, some 800 members of the Bani Yas tribe, from the Al Bu Falasah branch, broke away from Abu Dhabi after an internal dispute and settled at the mouth of the Creek. They were led by Maktoum bin Butti and Obaid bin Saeed; when Obaid died a few years later, Maktoum was left as sole leader. The Al Maktoum family, which has ruled Dubai ever since, descends from him.

2An open-air museum

During the 20th century the houses of Shindagha were gradually abandoned until they fell into ruin. Their recovery is part of the Dubai Historic District project: the first phase of the Al Shindagha Museum opened in 2019, and it reopened renovated in 2023. It is billed as the country’s largest heritage museum, with pavilions spread across restored historic houses, including one on the birth of the city by the Creek and a Perfume House.

In 2012, the Creek and its historic districts were added to UNESCO’s Tentative List as a traditional merchants’ harbour.

3What to look for

• The mouth of the Creek: look north to see where it opens into the Gulf.
• The wind towers of the restored houses lined up along the promenade.
• The dhows that still pass the point on their way to the port of Deira.