Traditionally the modern city of Dubai is separated by a creek that runs through part of the city. The Dubai Creek splits Dubai city into Bur Dubai and Deira Dubai. The term Bur Dubai translates into Mainland Dubai, which as any visitor will see is a historic district, right from the way its roads are paved to the smaller size of the streets. No visit to Dubai is complete without a round of Bur Dubai, as it houses several popular places for tourists.

Presently work is being undertaken to extend Dubai Creek back to the sea, which will ultimately turn Bur Dubai into an island by 2010. Bur Dubai is a popular living area consisting of a lot of apartment buildings. Historically it is a poorer area of the city but many of the older expatriates are housed here. Today the recently completed Dubai Metro goes right through Bur Dubai, being full of small markets called souqs.