Madinat Jumeirah is a massive luxury resort complex adjacent to the Burj Al Arab, built to resemble a traditional Arabian fort and souk. The architecture is pastiche but handsomely done — wind towers, carved wooden screens, plaster detailing — and the central feature is a network of outdoor waterways navigated by small abra boats carrying guests between the hotels, the souk, and the restaurants.
Non-guests can visit the Souk Madinat, a high-end retail and dining mall within the complex, with views back to the Burj Al Arab across the waterway. It is more expensive than the city's actual souks but more comfortable and has some decent restaurants with outdoor seating. The Thursday and Friday evening crowd at the outdoor bars makes it one of the more animated social spaces in Jumeirah.