Moreover in Dubai you will encounter many cultures from different parts of the world which blend together within one city. Dubai is a very compact city where you can enjoy most activities within a short time frame. You can experience the shopping, desert safari, sand dunes, the souq, the old and the modern Dubai all together without stressing yourself out. Let’s explore the modern and old Dubai and see the variety of choices that make you enjoy your stay:
Bastakiya
The old Bastikiya city was famous for its windtowers which lined on both sides of Creek with the purpose of cooling houses before electricity arrived. The place which is currently under renovation will be presented as a tourist destination which includes cultural centre, restaurants and museums.
Archaeological Sites
Visit the main archeological sites in Al Ghusais, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah. Some of those sites are dating back more than 2000 years. Currently visitors need to acquire a permit from the Dubai Museum to visit these sites.
Sheikh Saeed's House
A great example of traditional architecture which dates back to late 1800s, the house was built by the sea for the purpose of observing shipping activities.
Jumeirah Mosque
The Jumeirah Mosque is Dubai’s one of the most well-liked sights with its modern Islamic architecture.
The mosque has two minarets and the majestic dome was built of stone in medieval Fatimid tradition.
Bait Al Wakeel
Built in 1934 by the late Sheikh Rashid, Bait Al Wakeel was Dubai’s first office building.
It is situated at the edge of the Creek near the Abra landing, and the building has been completely restored and now houses a museum dedicated to Dubai’s fishing and maritime society.
Grand Mosque
Another distinguished landmark of Dubai and important place of worship is the Grand Mosque, which is situated on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek near the Ruler’s court. The mosque has 45 small domes in addition to nine large nes boasted stained glass panels.
The Souks
There are different Souks on both sides of the Creek that are the most authentic places to visit and to go for shopping. In the tiny streets of the Spice Souk, the scents of the past can be savored. There are lots of traditional gifts waiting for you such as bags of spices, incense, rose petals and traditional medical products.
The Gold souk which is slightly larger than the Spice Souq offering a world of fine jewellery where the gold prices are among the lowest in the world. If you are looking for Shisha's, they are located just few streets around the Souq.
The Fish Souk in Deira where local fishermen unload mountains of fresh fish, which they then sell in bargaining session is a main attraction of the city. All different kinds of fishes such as kingfish, red snapper, rock cod (the popular local hammour), barracuda, tuna, lobster, crab, king prawn, sea bream, squid, pomfret, shark, mackerel, sardine and other species are available for most of the year.
Dubai Museum
Al Fahidi Fort which had been built in 1799 was renovated in 1970 for use as a museum was once guarding the city from landward approaches. The restoration and the addition of galleries was completed in 1995. Colourful and evocative dioramas, complete with life-size figures and sound and lighting effects, depict everyday life in old days. One of the most impressive scens exhibits the underwater world of pearl-diving, and is accompanied by sets of pearl merchants’ weights, scales and sieves.
Heritage and Diving Villages
The Diving Village forms part of an ambitious plan to turn the entire Shindagha area into a cultural microcosm, recreating life in Dubai as it was in days gone by. A traditional heritage village, located near the mouth of the Creek, has been created where potters and weavers display their crafts. Here the visitor can look back in time and experience some of Dubai’s heritage.
WonderLand
The 18-hectare WonderLand family fun park features a wide range of water attractions.
Capable of accommodating up to 8,000 visitors at a time, WonderLand’s water rides include speed slides, surf hills, twister, wave runners and a Caribbean cruise. It also has a water mist show and water cinema, with videos projected on a thin film of water.
Dubai World Trade Centre
The Dubai World Trade Centre’s office tower houses the regional headquarters of many of the world’s largest corporations. Alongside, a modern conference centre and seven exhibition halls host an active programme of international trade fairs that attract exhibitors and visitors from all over the world.
Sheikh Zayed Road
The Trade Centre is the focal point of a modern business district emerging along Sheikh Zayed Road. Ultra-modern towers of glass and steel that reflect Dubai’s international and cosmopolitan outlook line both sides of the main highway to Abu Dhabi.
Bani Yas Square
Dominating Bani Yas Square in the heart of Deira is Deira Tower with its distinctive circular ‘cap’. An early example of the effort to blend modern architecture with the older surroundings, Deira Tower incorporates features designed to soften the impact of the harsh summer climate on the occupants of shops, offices and apartments within. Nearby on the Creekside, strong vertical lines ending in arches on the skyline identify Al Owais Tower.
Deira Creekside
A group of distinctive and remarkable modern buildings are ranged near the purpose-built dhow wharfage beside the Maktoum Bridge which includs the Etisalat Tower, the Department of Economic Development, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The National Bank of Dubai headquarters and Dubai Creek Tower.
The Department of Economic Development is a five-storey building which features delicately designed window screens and massive decorated main doors.
The Etisalat Tower is topped by a telecommunications dome resembling a giant golf ball — particularly striking when illuminated at night.
By contrast, the neighbouring Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry tower is a dramatic blue glass-faced structure, a symbol of the emirate’s prosperity and forward vision.
The new headquarters of the National Bank of Dubai produces a shimmering reflection of the Creek through its striking use of polished steel and glass. This is also the DTCM’shead office in Dubai.
Nearby is the municipality building, which manages to convey an impression of cool shade through the use of water and screens.
Al Boom Tourist Village
Adjacent to Creekside Park, the village consists of a 2,000-seat banquet hall, a coffee shop, restaurant, amusement park, ornamental lake and a marina with five cruise boats. Its traditional architecture forms a stately city landmark. Further development will include self-catering and fully-serviced chalets and a five-star hotel built in the shape of a Gulf sailing dhow
Golf Courses
Even for the non-golfer, Dubai’s golf clubs are worth a visit, both for the spectacular architecture of their clubhouses and as examples of the successful greening and landscaping of the desert.
Dubai Summer Surprises
Dubai Summer Surprises is a government initiative begun in 1998 that attracted thousands of tourists during the summer months especially during June, July, August. Extremely competitive hotel rates, combined with lots of activities, especially for children, are providing a fun and exciting summer trip.
Dubai Shopping Festival
The annual Dubai Shopping Festival has become an internationally-known event, with thousands of bargains, promotions and some of the world’s lowest prices. In addition, the hotels and furnished appartments complexes offer reduce accommodation rates, while Emirates Airlines offers great deals on tickets
Commercial Life
The Creek has always been a central attraction for Dubai, providing a safe harbour to mercantile and fishing vessels, as it does even today.The city's famous souks have attached merchants and traders from as far afield as India, Iran, the eastern coast of Africa and beyond since the late 19th century. At the museum, you can experience all the atmosphere of a soul in the 1950s, as you walk through a labyrinth of spice stores, pottery and carpentry workshops.
