10 things to do in Dubai

Dubai is a wonderful tourist destination with a lot of things to do for all types of tourists from around the world. Although you will find many tour operators selling you their products in the form desert safaris and tours around the place, you will rarely find out exactly what places should be see while you are on a visit to this wonderful city. Here we have compiled a list of 10 places you must see on your trip to Dubai:

Sheikh Zayed Road:
This road is named after the Great Sheikh whose direction brought the emirates together and is the heart of the city. On a drive of this road you will witness the amazing advances this tiny emirate has made over a very small period of time, you will also see amazing architectural marvels unique to this country.

Dubai Creek:
Dubai Creek is a marvel in itself, dividing two main parts of the city the creek at one time used to end 3-4Kms inland but that has been converted to a huge waterfront circling the city and creating prime waterfront property.

Burj Al Arab Hotel:
Burj has become a symbol of Dubai everyone the world associates this 7 start hotel with Dubai, Truly a marvel to witness from the outside as well as the inside. This hotel is built on a small manmade island and offers the best of luxury to its guests. The only way burj al arab can be seen or visited is if you have reservation for a room, or one of the cafes or resturants located inside the burj.

Palm Jumeira:
Palm Jumeira is one of the iconic projects that put Dubai on the world map and brought celebrities rushing to buy holiday homes on the island. This is one of the biggest man made islands in the world shaped like the palm tree with commercial as well as residential properties and signature hotels, this is a place you must visit on your next trip to the desert kingdom.

Dubai Shopping Malls:
It is always said that Dubai is a shoppers paradise, so definitely while in Dubai one must go out and see the shopping malls that make Dubai the shoppers paradise. Dubai has some ofthe most amazing and innovative malls,Be sure to visit Emirates Mall , it has Ski Dubai an indoor ski slope. Ibn Battuta Mall for it’s themed layout and Dubai Mall the newest and biggest Mall in Dubai with 200 Gold outlets, a gigantic Aquarium and much more.

Dubai Marina:
The home of the cranes in Dubai it seems this whole place is under construction, this is New Dubai and well wroth a walk around the Marina to see a city within a city rising.

Jumeira Beach:
Definitely the most famous beach in Dubai. Mingle with the locals and savor the Arabian sea, white sands and deep blue waters. Even if you are not in Dubai for a beach holiday you have to see the beaches and catch a glimpse of the Burj Al Arab when the sun is setting.

The Souqs:
Whether it be the Gold souks , spice souk or perfume Souk a trip to old Dubai isn’t complete without seeing the way most of Dubai lived before it became global. The souks really remind you where in the world you are in the Middle East, almost a feel of being in Cairo.

The Mosques:
Dubai has numerous mosques, most do not allow foreigners to go inside but the architecture and the intricate hand made columns and domes make them a must see place for all tourists. Jumeira Mosque is the most famous and the most photographed building in Dubai for sure, carved in sandstone and from the Fathamid period of Islamic History it is like many things in Dubai lit up at night, creating a must have photo opportunity. This is probably the only mosque in Dubai the offers tours for foreigners.

Dubai Museum:
This is the place to come to see the way people lived in Dubai before oil was discovered. Whether it be pearl diving or old traditional living standards Dubai Museum will guide you through the history of Dubai.

See Dubai History- Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House

Over the years, Dubai has turned from a small isolated desert oasis to a globally cosmopolitan city inviting millions of tourists from all over the world, to enjoy and cherish the numerous wonderful places, activities, hotels and theme parks on offer in Dubai. Dubai is best known for its wonderful desert safari's trips and its Dinner Dhow Cruises on the Dubai Creek, but for the tourist who wants to enjoy there is much more on offer.

If you want to see how Dubai transformed over the years and want to delve in Dubai's past a wonderful sight seeing tour would be of the "Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House". The Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House is one of the oldest in Dubai, as well as one of the best examples of traditional architecture. Built in 1896, the one-time ruler of the city used the house to monitor trade in and out of the country. It was opened as a museum in 1986.

The imposing building takes its name from the Sheikh who lived in it until his death in 1958. Originally strategically situated at the mouth of Dubai's lifeline, the Creek, this carefully restored museum now lies close to the Bur Dubai side of the Shindagha Tunnel and next to the Heritage and Diving Village.

It is built in the traditional manner of the Gulf Coast, from coral covered in lime and plaster, with a large courtyard and a large number of rooms, verandas and bath rooms, divided into independent family units. There are two entrances to the building. The main entrance is from the Creek side, the second entrance is on the rear side of the building, and was probably reserved for family members.

The restoration is remarkable for its carved teak doors and windows, architraves and wooden lattice screens, and the balustrades of railings. The pierced gypsum ventilating screens have floral and geometric designs, and are set into the thick walls. The house also contains an exhibition illuminating Dubai's development from the 1940s to the late 1960s.

Dubai Museum

Location: Al Fahidi Fort - Dubai
Al Ibn Abi Talib Road
Contact Information: phone +971 (4) 353 1862 & +971 (4) 393 7151
Cost: Adult AED 3, Child AED 1
Timings: Saturday to Thursday : 08:30 am -20:30 pm, Friday: 14:30 -20:30 pm
Open during Public Holidays.

Al Fahidi Fort, which houses the Dubai Museum, was built around 1787, and once guarded the landward approaches to the town.Renovated in 1971 for use as a museum, its colourful life size dioramas vividly depict everyday life in the days before the discovery of oil. Galleries recreate scenes from the Creek, traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souk, date farms and desert and marine life. One of the more spectacular exhibits portrays pearl diving, including sets of pearl merchants’ weights, scales and sieves. Also on display, are artefacts from several excavations in the emirate, recovered from graves that date back to the third millennium BC.

A must-see for anyone interested in the social history of the Emirate (and indeed the country). A visit starts at the al-Fahidi fort, which has a few examples of the traditional reed houses and other artifacts, but isn't much to look at. The more interesting part is the modern extension built underneath the fort, showcasing Dubai's history using the latest technology and culminating in a reconstructed souq from the pearling days, complete with authentic sights and sounds. It is quite fascinating to see the speed at which the transition from poor pearling village to modern metropolis occurred.