Sightseeing in Dubai

Dubai offers visitors a multitude of attractions, from the mystery of the desert and its sand dunes and surrounding mountain ranges to the five star beaches and hotels to the original Dubai featuring old houses complete with wind towers and contrasting modern high tech buildings and shopping malls.

Bastakiya

Get a glimpse of old Dubai , by wandering around the old Bastakiya district. Built in narrow lanes, the traditional courtyard houses with wind-towers give a good insight into how people lived. The wind-towers as well as looking attractive were functional as they provided a form of 'air conditioning' by filtering the air down into the house.

Excavation sites

Sites in Dubai of historical interest, are at Al Ghusais, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah. The first two are graveyards dating back more than 2,000 years. The Jumeirah site reveals artefacts from the seventh to 15th centuries.




Sheik Saeed's House

Dates from the late 1800s, was built near the sea, as an observation post of all the shipping activity below. It was built around a central courtyard with the traditional wind-towers.




Dubai Museum


The museum is housed in Al Fahidi Fort, which was an important landmark 150 years ago, as it once guarded the city's landward approaches. Built around 1799, it has served as a palace, garrison and prison. In 1970 it was converted for use as a museum. The museum is very innovative and imaginatively designed, in the fact that it depicts Dubai in the past, by showing how people lived during pre-oil days. There are purpose built areas showing typical scenes from traditional Arab houses and schools, mosques, the spice souks and people at work. The desert and the animals that inhabit it are depicted in an interactive way which is fun for both adults and children. A huge room is dedicated to marine life and the activities of the pearl divers.

Dubai Mosques

One of the largest and most beautiful of Dubai 's numerous mosques is Jumeirah Mosque which is a spectacular example of modern Islamic architecture. It is built of stone in medieval Fatimid tradition with twin minarets and a majestic dome. It stands as a city landmark and is worth visiting at night when it is fully illuminated.

Boasting the city's tallest minaret at 70 metres, the Grand Mosque near the Ruler's Court in Bur Dubai, has 45 small domes in addition to nine large ones, making it a dominant landmark and place of worship.

Heritage & Diving Villages

Go back in time and experience some of Dubai 's heritage. This is a traditional heritage village located near the mouth of the Creek where potters and weavers display their crafts. To keep all the family entertained, the following activities offer fun and interesting pastimes.

Dubai Zoo

The zoo in Jumeirah houses many indigenous Arabian species, including the Arabian Wolf, which is no longer found in the wild. Regional birds of prey can be found in the large aviary. Several Arabian mammals and many species of cats are also in the zoo.

Wonderland

This is a unique amusement and water attraction fun park for all the family. Set in 18-hectares, the theme park includes water rides, speed slides, a roller coaster and a power cart track. It also has a water mist show and water cinema, with videos projected onto a thin film of water.

Magic Planet

This children's entertainment centre in the Deira City Centre shopping mall, is a unique indoor site with ten-pin bowling and a variety of electronic games and even a mini pitch and putt.

Encounter Zone

This is in the Wafi shopping mall. If you fancy something different, both children and adults will be entertained. The Crystal Maze has a horror chamber and exciting 3-D films. There's even a roller coaster simulator, which is so close to the real thing. There are other rides to enjoy and the best being the Komet which shoots around the top of the building.