Bastakiya

The old Bastakiya district with its narrow lanes and tall wind-towers gives a tantalising glimpse of old Dubai. Immediately to the east of Al Fahidi Fort is the largest concentration of traditional courtyard houses with windtowers.

In the past, the city was famous for a mass of windtowers which lined the Creek on either side. These were not merely decorative; they were the only means of cooling houses in the days before mains electricity.

Bastakiya is currently undergoing renovation and preservation and will eventually become a small ‘tourist village’ with a museum, a cultural centre, restaurants and an art gallery.

 

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