Immediately in front of the bus station lies the main Al Ain Souk, a long, functional warehouse-style building which is where you’ll find the city’s main meat, fruit and vegetable markets. The fruit and veg section is the prettiest, with Indian traders perched amidst huge piles and produce and a colourful cast of local shoppers, including heavily veiled local Bedouin...

This low-rent inner city suburb is one of the best places to come in Dubai if you want to get a feel for life in the metropolis away from the five-star hotels and luxury developments. The area is home to the sort of people who provide the city with much of its low-skilled labour, from Indian taxi drivers to Filipina...

A short distance south of Bur Dubai, the unpretentious inner-city suburb of Satwa is one of the most characterful in Dubai, home to a mixed crowd of Indians, Iranians, expat Arabs, and the occasional stray European. The area is centred on the attractive 2nd December Street (formerly Al Diyafah Street), lined with an eclectic medley of cafes and shops, including...