Dubai Travel Guide

Dubai Sightseeing Overview

Dubai is surprisingly rooted in older realities. Beyond the ‘international' skyline, the visitor quickly senses that this is a city with a Bedouin past. The smell of spices from the souks, wooden dhows plying the creek, the wind towers of the restored Shindagha Waterfront establish the Arab pedigree of Dubai's pearling origins. Equally, the call to prayer five times a day, the discreetly-clad local populace and the inherent concept of hospitality show how Islam still informs daily life despite the exuberant expression of modern wealth.

Dubai's flights-of-fancy projects are funded primarily by black gold. Oil was first struck in 1966 and it gave the founding fathers of the city, the Maktoum dynasty, the wherewithal to invest in a diverse economy of trade, manufacturing, and more recently, tourism. Yellow gold is now the color of the city, from the flamboyant interior of the iconic Burj al-Arab, to the spangled rows of bangles in the city's gold souks.

The city center is marked by the Dubai Creek which is flanked by the two main sightseeing areas of Deira and Bur Dubai. Further flung areas of interest include Jumeirah Beach and Palm Islands.

Deira, on the right bank of the waterway, is the business and commercial heart of the city and is also home to the best shopping, including myriad souks. Deira is also the most atmospheric part of Dubai for a spot of aimless wandering, with rambling streets bustling with the city's cosmopolitan residents and visitors.

Across the creek, the quieter but more historic Bur Dubai is home to Dubai Museum, Grand Mosque and Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum's House.

Dubai Creek is an attraction in its own right, whether visitors choose to take the traditional dhow cruises along its length or just to stroll along the Bur Dubai promenade admiring the city's modern skyline.

West of Dubai Creek lies Jumeirah, marked at its northern end by the beautiful, rose-tinted Jumeirah Mosque. Jumeirah is famous for its beach - a long strip of sand fringed by the calm waters of the Arabian Gulf - and a growing number of luxury hotels, including the Burj al Arab.

Still taking shape off the coast of Jumeirah are the Palm Islands. Built on land reclaimed from the sea, these three islands, fashioned in the shape of date palms, will become the new focus of the city when complete. The nearby World Archipelago, in the shape of the world's continents, will be another draw to the area.

Another ambitious scheme beyond the city limits is Dubailand, a giant theme park in the desert that the emirate's movers and shakers aim to turn into the city's number one tourist attraction.

Dubai Tourist Information

DepartmentofTourismandCommerceMarketing(DTCM)WelcomeBureau
Beni Yas Square, Deira
Tel: (04) 228 5000.
Website: www.dubaitourism.ae
Opening hours: Sat-Thurs 0900-2100, Fri 1500-2100.

The airport office is open 24 hours (tel: (04) 224 5252). Offices are also available in most major malls, including City Center and Ibn Battuta.

Dubai Sightseeing

There are no tourist passes currently available in Dubai.

Dubai Sightseeing

There are no tourist passes currently available in Dubai.

Key Attractions in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

BastakiyaQuarter
In the days before electricity and air conditioning, the local houses alongside Dubai Creek used to be cooled by wind towers. These ecologically sound structures and the traditional courtyard houses they served can now be visited in the newly restored Bastakiya district. There is a modest museum, a sprinkling of cafés, some small art galleries and a new street market every Saturday in this quiet and Bohemian quarter of Dubai's city center.

East of Dubai Souk on Al-Fahidi Street
Website: www.souqalbastakiya.com
Opening hours: Sat 1000-dusk (souq).

Burj Khalifa
At 828m (2,717ft), the Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building featuring the world's first Armani Hotel (opening 18 March 2010), a mall, restaurants, a fitness center and the world's highest public observation deck, ‘At the Top', on the 124th floor, offering unparalleled views of the city. The skyscraper opened in January 2010 in Downtown Dubai and is Dubai's latest attraction.

1 Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
Tel: (04) 888 8124.
Website: www.burjkhalifa.ae
Opening hours: Sun-Wed 1000-2200, Thurs-Sat 1000-midnight.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.

Children'sCity
Housed in Dubai Creekside Park, Children's City is a big hit with both local and international youngsters. The 7,700-sq-m (82,882-sq-ft) development takes young minds on a journey through the human body, science and space, with the help of different ‘zones'. With plenty of hands-on action to keep even the most demanding children occupied, this is no dull old museum. All exhibits are in English as well as Arabic.

Creekside Park
Tel: (04) 334 0808.
Website: www.childrencity.ae
Opening hours: Sat-Thurs 0900-2030, Fri 1500-2030.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.

DubaiMuseum
The building that houses the Dubai Museum, Al-Fahidi Fort, is an attraction in itself. The historic fort, dating back as far as 1799, was converted into a museum in 1970. The exhibits range from old weapons and pearl-diving outfits to an impressive range of military artifacts. Some of the most fascinating exhibits are those recovered from the 3,000- to 4,000-year-old graves at Al-Ghusais, while perhaps the most striking is the huge wooden sailing craft that is beached outside.

Al-Fahidi Road
Tel: (04) 353 1862.
Opening hours: Sat-Thurs 0830-2030, Fri 1430-2030.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: N.

GrandMosque
The Grand Mosque was only rebuilt in 1998 and boasts the city's tallest minaret, at 70m (231ft). Located on the Bur Dubai side of the creek, near the Ruler's Court, the Grand Mosque consists of nine large domes and 45 smaller ones. This huge religious edifice can house up to 1,200 worshippers. Non-Muslims cannot enter but the mosque is worth visiting for its drama, scale and the special place it holds in the hearts of many locals.

Ali ibin Ali Talib Street
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours; entrance to non-Muslims is forbidden.

Heritageand DivingVillages
These two recreations of former Emirati settlements are an attempt to weave in some local color among Dubai's rapidly developing 21st-century skyline. The emphasis is on recalling the Bedouin way of life, with barasti housing, locals dressed in traditional garb, displays of traditional handicrafts and the paraphernalia of pear diving, once the mainstay of the Gulf. During winter months, the area comes alive with traditional song and dance, and local families sharing their heritage with their children. Local handicrafts are also available for purchase.

Near Shindagha Tunnel, Al-Shindagha Road
Tel: (04) 393 7151.
Opening hours: Sat-Thurs 0800-2200, Fri 0800-1100 and 1600-2200.
Admission charge: N.
Disabled access: N.

JumeirahMosque
The Jumeirah Mosque is the most photographed building in the city and an impressive example of modern Islamic architecture. Built along medieval Fatimid lines, entirely of stone, the mosque and its two minarets are unmistakable. It is particularly attractive at night, when subtle lighting increases its dramatic effect. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter mosques in Dubai, although they can enter this one if on an organized tour. Visitors should call the tourist office to check if these are available.

Al-Jumeirah Road
Tel: (04) 353 6666.
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours; access to non-Muslims through organized tours only.
Admission charge: Y (for tours).
Disabled access: N.

MajlisGhorfatUm-Al-Sheef
At the Majlis Ghorfat Um-Al-Sheef, it is possible to delve into the opulent world of the moneyed men of Dubai. The late ruler of Dubai, Ghorfat Um-Al-Sheef, used this building as his ‘home from home' but it is now open to the public. The building dates back to 1955 and its most impressive feature are the majlis gardens, which include a reproduction of a traditional Arab irrigation system.

17 Street, off Al-Jumeirah Road
Tel: (04) 394 6343.
Opening hours: Sat-Thurs 0830-2030, Fri 1430-2030.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: N.

PalmIslandsand the World
The three Palm islands, said to be visible from space, form the largest man-made islands in the world. The Palm Jumeirah, whose first residents moved in during 2007, boasts a number of hotels as well as private residences. Palm Jebel Ali will boat further leisure facilities, including an aquatic theme park, when it opens in 2012. The third of the islands, Palm Deira, will be more geared towards residential use with over 7,000 villas, and will be the largest of the trio when it opens in 2011/12. New bridges will connect the islands to the mainland in one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken by man. The three islands are going to be accompanied by ‘The World', all very Dubai, an ambitious attempt to recreate the shape of the world on 300 offshore islands.

Websites: www.thepalm.ae; www.theworld.ae

SheikhSaeedAl-Maktoum'sHouse
Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum's House is one of the oldest houses in the city, as well as one of the best examples of traditional architecture. Built from sandstone in 1896, the house offers sweeping views out towards the sea - although the view has been slightly obscured by more modern development. The one-time ruler of Dubai used the house to monitor trade in and out of the country. The house was reopened as a museum in 1986; it also contains an exhibition illuminating Dubai's development from the 1940s to the late 1960s.

Near Al-Shindagha Tunnel, Al-Shindagha Road
Tel: (04) 393 7139.
Opening hours: Sat-Thurs 0800-2030, Fri 1530-2130.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: N.

Souks(markets)
The souks, or traditional markets, are one of Dubai's greatest attractions. They are located on both sides of the creek, with the most impressive on the Deira side. The highlight is the colorful Spice Market, which abounds with exotic aromas and bustles with locals seeking bargains. Wandering around the atmospheric souks is a good way for visitors to get in touch with how life was in Dubai, before oil was discovered.

Bur Dubai Souk, Ali Bin Abi Talib Street
Deira Covered Souk, Naib Road
Deira Old Souk or Spice Souk, Al Abra Street
Deira Gold Souk, Sikkat al-Khali Street
Perfume Souk, Sikkat al-Khali Street
Electronics Souk, Al-Sabkha and Al-Maktoum Hospital Roads
Opening hours: Sat-Thurs 0700-1200 and 1700-1900, Fri 1700-1900.

Further Distractions

Dubailand
This massive development, comprising myriad attractions, hotels, sports and leisure centers, is expected to be completed by 2015. Phase one of Dubailand is now complete and offers five attractions including Dubai Outlet Mall, Al Sahra Desert Resort and Dubai Sports City. The many more ambitious projects yet to be completed include a Tiger Woods-designed golf course, a Universal Studios theme park, the Great Dubai Wheel (bigger than the London Eye) and Bawadi (the world's largest hotel project with 51 hotels and 60,000 rooms).

Tel: (04) 368 0000.
Website: www.dubailand.ae

Jumana
Jumana, in Al Sahra Desert Resort, is one of the first Dubailand attractions to fully open and is well worth the hike out into the dark deserts. The set-up is dinner buffet or à la carte before moving on into the massive 1,500-seat outdoor auditorium. Here an audiovisual extravaganza, Jumana: Secret of the Desert, awaits with a collage of spouting waterworks, bursting fireworks, first-rate dancers, wandering camels, galloping steeds and piercing lasers telling the Arabian tale of love and family lost and found. Omar Sharif is on hand with a typically smooth voice-over to complete an impressive picture.

Al Sahra Desert Resort, Dubailand
Tel: (04) 367 9500.
Website: www.alsahra.com
Opening hours: Tues-Sat, show starts 2100.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: N.

Jumeirah Beach
Much of the long expanse of Jumeirah Beach is dominated by luxury hotels and their facilities. However, there is a stretch of public beach available, with clean white sand, crystal clear seawater and bath-temperature surf. Some of the hotels allow non-guests to use their pools and stretches of beach if they buy lunch or pay a nominal fee.

Al-Jumeirah Road, next to Marine Beach Resort