Attractions in Dubai
Bastakiya
Before there was electricity and air conditioning, the bay was surrounded by countless wind towers that kept the surrounding houses cool. These wind towers also adorn the Bastakiya district, which, with its many traditional houses with courtyards, is reminiscent of days gone by. After extensive renovations, it was reopened and now offers a modest museum, cafes and small art galleries.
Address: Al Fahidi St, Dubai
Entrance Fee:Free entry.
Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Children’s City
Children’s City at Dubai Creekside Park is a huge success with local and international children. In the 7700 square meter facility, children can explore the secrets of the human body, science and space in different ‘zones’. Interactive exhibits and attractions leave no room for boredom, and there is also a planetarium, an amphitheater, gift shops and restaurants. The exhibition objects and signs are labeled in English and Arabic.
Address: Creekside Park, Dubai
Phone: (04) 334 08 08
Hours:Sat-Thu 9 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. and Fr.
Website: http://www.childrencity.ae
Entrance fee:With admission fee.
Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Dubai Museum
The Al Fahidi Fort, which houses the Dubai Museum, is itself a landmark. The historic fort dates back to 1799 and was converted into a museum in 1970. The exhibits range from old weapons and equipment for pearl fishing to an impressive number of military objects. Among the most fascinating exhibits are finds that were recovered from 3000-4000 year old graves in Al-Ghusais.
Address: Al Fahidi St, Dubai
Phone: (04) 353 18 62
Hours of Operation:Sat-Thu 8.30am-8.30pm, Fri 2.30pm-8.30pm.
Entry fee:With admission fee.
Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No
Dubailand
When completed, Dubailand will be the largest urban entertainment center in the world. The Dubai Outlet Mall, Al Sahra Desert Resort, Global Village, parts of Dubai Sports City and MotorCity have already opened. Many other ambitious projects of this extremely complex project are currently being planned or under construction.
Address: Dubai
Telephone: (04) 368 00 00
Website: http://www.dubailand.ae
Entry fee:Free entry.
Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Great mosque
The Great Mosque was only rebuilt in 1998 and has a 70 m high minaret, the tallest in the city. The mosque is on the Bur Dubai side, near the Court of Justice, and has nine large domes and 45 smaller ones. This huge religious building holds up to 1,200 believers. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the interior of the mosque, but it is worth seeing because of its size, drama and special position in the heart of many locals.
Address: Ali ibin Ali Talib Street, Dubai
Opening times:24 hours a day (only Muslims allowed).
Entry fee:Free entry.
Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No
Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum’s house
Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum’s house is one of the oldest houses in the city and one of the best examples of traditional architecture. It was built from sandstone in 1896 and offers a wide view of the sea – although this is now slightly affected by the high-rise buildings. The former ruler of Dubai used the house to control the country’s imports and exports. In 1986 it was opened as a museum; it also houses an exhibition on Dubai’s development from the 1940s to the late 1960s.
Near the Al Shindagha tunnel
Address: Al Shindagha Tunnel, Dubai
Telephone: (04) 393 71 39
Opening hours:Sat-Thu 8 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. and Fri 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Entry fee:With admission fee.
Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No
Heritage Village and Diving Village
Heritage Village and Diving Village – models of traditional villages – try to bring some local color to Dubai’s rapidly developing, modern scenery. The focus is on the life of the Bedouins, which one tries to illustrate with the help of locals in traditional clothing, displays of traditional handicrafts, singing and dancing. The locally made handicrafts are also offered for sale.
Address: Al Shindagha Tunnel, Dubai
Telephone: (04) 393 71 51
Opening hours:Sat-Thu 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Entry fee:Free entry.
Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Jumeirah Beach
While much of the wide, stretching Jumeirah Beach is dominated by luxury hotels and their facilities, there is also a fairly large section that is open to the public and has clean, white sand. The crystal clear sea water is as warm in the surf as in a bathtub. Many hotels also allow non-guests to use the swimming pools for a small fee.
Address: Al-Jumeirah Road, Dubai
Entrance Fee:Free entry.
Disabled access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Jumeirah mosque
The Jumeirah Mosque is the most photographed building in the city and an impressive example of modern Islamic architecture. It was built entirely of stone in the medieval style of the Fatimids and is unmistakable with its two minarets. The mosque looks particularly beautiful at night when its dramatic effect is enhanced with soft lighting. In Dubai, only Muslims are allowed to enter mosques, but the Jumeirah Mosque can also be visited from inside with a guided tour.
Address: Jumeirah Rd, Dubai
Opening times:24 hours a day; Access for non-Muslims only with a guide.
Entry fee:With admission fee.
Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No
Majlis Ghorfat Um-Al-Sheef
At Majlis Ghorfat Um-Al-Sheef it is possible to delve deeper into the feudal world of the wealthy men of Dubai. Ghorfat Um-Al-Sheef, the former ruler of Dubai, used this building as his ‘home away from home’, but today it is open to the public. The most striking feature of the 1955 building is the Majlis Garden, where a reproduction of a traditional Arab irrigation system was built.
Address: 17th St, Dubai
Phone: (04) 394 63 43
Hours of Operation:Sat-Thu 8.30am-8.30pm, Fri 2.30pm-8.30pm.
Entry fee:With admission fee.
Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No
Souks
One of the most interesting attractions in Dubai are the souks, the traditional markets. They are located on both sides of the fjord, but the most impressive ones can be found on the Deira side. The highlight is the colorful spice market (Spice Souk), populated by local bargain hunters, with its bewitchingly fragrant spices.
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 Road and Al-Maktoum Hospital Road
Address: Ali Bin Abi Taleb St, Dubai
Opening times:Daily 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. closed on Friday mornings.
Entry fee:Free entry.
Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No
The Palm Jumeirah
In addition to the Great Wall of China, it is the second structure on earth that can be seen from space. Jumeirah, which has the shape of a palm tree with a two-kilometer long “trunk” and 17 “palm fronds”, is designed as a top-class holiday resort. There is a crescent-shaped dune over eleven kilometers long above the palm tree. On the east side there are 2500 beach apartments, on the west side there are hotels and the “Golden Mile”, a boulevard with fashion boutiques, cafés and restaurants.
Address: Dubai
Opening Hours:Around the clock.
Website: http://www.nakheel.com/en
Entry fee:Free entry.
Disabled access: No
UNESCO: No
Tourist offices
Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) Welcome Bureau
The DTCM also has a representative at the airport (Tel: (04) 224 52 52, open 24 hours) and in most shopping centers, including City Center and Ibn Battuta.
Address: Deira
Dubai
Telephone: (04) 228 50 00
Opening hours:Sat-Thu 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Website: http://www.dubaitourism.co.ae
Visitor passes
The Dubai Travel Pass ( Terhaal ) of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) and the DNATA includes, among other things, two metro tickets, a city map, information on the use of metro, buses and water buses, a travel guide with all the sights, voucher booklets and extensive service Information. The Dubai Travel Pass is available in DNATA offices, duty free shops, hotels and shopping centers.
