Dubai Abra

Take a trip back in time while viewing Dubai's spectacular city sights on an abra, a traditional water taxi. The word abra, with its roots in the Arabic verb 'abara', literally translates into 'cross'. It's one of Dubai's most popular heritage experiences, and a trip to the emirate isn't complete without taking one of these at least once.

Dubai's older, open-air wooden abras cross Dubai Creek several times a day, ferrying you from one bank to the other and allowing you to explore the oldest parts of the city for a nominal fee.

Petrol and electric abras – contemporary open-air versions of the traditional wooden boats – seat up to 20 people and sail along several routes in the emirate, including the much-photographed Dubai Canal.

For a refreshing experience – ideal in the warmer summer months – cruise inside a fully air-conditioned abra, travelling from the Al Jadaf Marine Station to Dubai Festival City, a popular mall featuring shopping, dining and entertainment. The air-conditioned version is also available in the beautiful Dubai Marina area, with abras stopping at several picture-worthy locations along a skyscraper-filled coast.