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Dubai is the most famous city of the UAE. It is often said that the only limit to Dubai’s growth is human imagination. Indeed, the city is well known for its amazing building constructions, enormous shopping centres, fascinating sports events and high levels of investment. This emirate successfully promotes itself as a luxurious tourism destination, and is in the top 10 of most visited cities in the world. Dubai is divided into an old and a new area. The old area has two sections, situated along the creek: Deira and Bur Dubai, offering a range of souqs, museums and traditional buildings. The new Dubai is located south west of the city (the Jumeirah area) and hosts famous hotels, office buildings and shopping malls.
HERITAGE AND CULTURE
Al Ahmadiya School Location: Al Khor St, near Gold Souk, Phone: 04 226 0286 Opened in 1912, this is the oldest semi-official school in Dubai that ran until 1962. After a restoration in 2000, the school was transformed into a fascinating museum of education. Next to the museum, the former residence of the school founder Mr Almadiya is opened to the public.
Bastakiya District Location: Bur Dubai, near Dubai Museum This is an old residential district built at the beginning of the 20th century by rich Iranian traders. The buildings are famous for their wind-towers, an equivalent of modern air conditioning; nowadays the area hosts many galleries and cafés.
Burj Nahar Location: Deira Burj Nahar is one of the three watch towers positioned in Deira. It was built in 1870.
Dubai Museum Location: Bur Dubai, Al Fahidi St, Phone: 04 3531862 The Dubai Museum is situated in the oldest building of the city, Al Fahidi Fort built in 1787. It has an interesting exhibition of weaponry, musical instruments, household items and other traditional artefacts. The new underground section presents scenes from the Dubai’s past in an innovative way.
Heritage and Diving Village Location: Al Shindagha Rd, Phone: 04 3937151 Like many heritage sites in the UAE, this village reconstructs architectural features and the way of life of people before the exploitation of oil. Folk dances and songs are occasionally performed.
Majlis Umm Al Sheif Location: Umm Suqeim, Al Ghoreifa, Phone: 04 3946343 This used to be the summer residence of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, built in 1955. Visitors have the chance to discover a typical two storey house situated in a pleasant garden, which was formed in later years.
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House Location: Port Rashid, Al Shindagha Rd, Phone: 04 3937139 Built in 1896, this house, which is a superb example of traditional architecture, was once a residence for the ruling family. After its restoration the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum’s House was opened as a museum.
ARCHAEOLOGY
Jumeirah Archaeological Site Location: off 27 Street, near Jumeirah Beach Park Jumeirah is a southern district of Dubai and it is the site of important archaeological finds. A settlement contemporary to the Tell of Kush in Shimal was discovered there.
Al Qusais Location: north east part of Dubai In this suburb, an old settlement from the first and second millennium BC was excavated.
Al Sufouh Location: suburb south of Dubai Dubai’s ancient history was also discovered in the area of Sufouh, where an Umm an-Nar tomb was excavated. There are also some remains of settlements from that period.
PARKS AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Burj Al Arab Hotel Location: Jumeirah Rd, Phone: 04 3017777, Web: www.burj-al-arab.com This is, without a doubt, the most recognizable landmark of Dubai. This impressive hotel was built on an artificial island, designed as a sail of a boat and claims to be the only seven star hotel in the world. Note that you can visit this hotel only as a guest or by having a reservation at one of the restaurants.
Dubai Creek and Abra Taxi Location: Deira and Bur Dubai The Dubai Creek is a place where visitors can sense the traditional marine past of Dubai. A walk along the creek, where old dhows are anchored, and a ride in an abra (water taxi) are most certainly unforgettable experiences.
Grand Mosque Location: Ali Bin Talib St, opp. Dubai Museum The Grand Mosque was originally constructed in 1900, but it was re-built many times, last time in 1998. It has the city's tallest minaret (at 70m), and 9 large and 45 small domes. It is a landmark of Old Dubai and an important place of worship. It is closed to non-Muslim visitors.
Jumeirah Beach Park Location: Jumeirah Rd, Phone: 04 3492555 A pleasant park with an access to the beach.
Jumeirah Mosque Location: Jumeirah Beach Rd, Phone: 04 3536666 This is a rather picturesque mosque and a fine example of a modern Islamic architecture. It is one of the two mosques in the UAE opened for visitors. If you are interested in visiting the mosque, you should contact the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (Phone: 04 3447755) which organizes guided tours.
Wild Wadi Water-park Location: Jumeirah Rd,Phone: 04 3484444 Situated just next door from the Burj Al Arab, this famous water-park offers many exciting rides and games.
Atlantis Hotel Location: Jumeirah Palm, Web: www.atlantis.com Apart from typical luxury offered by a five start hotel, this place has numerous other attractions such as Aquaventure Water Park, The Lost Chambers, and Dolphin Bay.
Burj Khalifa Opened in January 2010, it is the highest building in the world (828m high).
SHOPPING
Deira Covered Souq This souq offers a mix of products, but it mainly sells household items.
Deira Spice Souq Here you can buy a variety of spices imported mainly from Iran and India. Although many spices may be unfamiliar to you, the vendors will give you a quick lesson about their cooking use and medicinal benefits.
Gold Souq Location: Deira Dubai’s Gold Souq is one of the largest in the world and, indeed, the amount of gold will impress everyone. Glittering shop windows encourage buyers, and present a wide variety of designs and shapes.
Ibn Battuta Mall It is a themed shopping mall divided into various sections; each of them represents countries visited by the famous Arab navigator Ibn Battuta. You will be able to find amazing decorations from China, India or Iran.
Madinat Jumeirah This shopping centre is a reconstruction of a traditional Arabic souq. It is truly an amazing place that not only offers a shopping experience, but takes you on a journey to the oriental land.
Mall of the Emirates Web: www.malloftheemirates.com This mall has more than 450 retailers and additional leisure attractions such as Magic Planet (cinema and game complex) or Ski Dubai (artificial ski slope in the middle of the desert).
The Dubai Mall Web: www.thedubaimall.com Opened in 2008, the Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the region. Apart from an extended shopping experience, it offers a wide range of entertainment and attractions such as an aquarium and an ice rink.
HATTA (belongs to the Emirate of Dubai)
Hatta is a town situated in the south of the emirate of Dubai, and is surrounded by the wonderful Hajar Mountains. Hatta’s main attractions, apart from amazing landscapes and views, are the rock pools – cracks in the rocks developed along the riverbeds with turquoise water. Hatta also has its own heritage village that represents the traditional life in the area before modernisation. It is also a great place for walks and picnics. |
Dubai.com: www.dubai.com Dubai Department of Tourism: www.dubaitourism.ae Dubai Government: www.dubai.ae/en.portal Go Dubai: www.godubai.com Time Out Dubai: www.timeoutdubai.com
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