Dubai attractions
Even if Dubai is located in a small space, it offers a comprehensive range of attractions for visitors. Exploring the city in a single day allows you to enjoy everything from breathtaking sand dunes to rugged mountains, a wide choice of sandy beaches to well kept lush green parks, from luxurious modern districts to dusty villages and ancient wind towers and from state-of-the-art shopping malls to traditional Bedouin tents.
Since earliest times, Dubai has been a meeting place for pearl fivers, fishermen and other merchants. Dubai is both an international business center and a laid-back tourist haven. While you may see sophisticated infrastructure and modern facilities, Dubai keeps to its roots with the people’s tradition and culture seen in daily activities throughout the city. Today, the city is divided into Old Dubai and Modern Dubai, where the extremes are both noticeably remarkable and overwhelming.
In Old Dubai, be sure to check out Dubai Museum, where you can see the history of Dubai and its neighboring emirates through various artifacts that displays how this humble pearling village rose up to become a modern metropolis. Another historical must-see is the Al Ahmadiya School, which was built in 1912 and was restored to exhibit old diplomas and reed pens.
Once you’re in the neighborhood of Old Dubai, you can also check out Jumeirah Mosque at Jumeirah Road, which is considered one of the most attractive mosques in the region. It is one of the few mosques open for non-Muslim tours, which run on Thursdays.
You can also visit Shindagha District, which is home to the open museums of the Heritage Village and the former home of Sheikh Rashid Al-Maktoum and Bastakiya District, which is home to a plethora of buildings made in traditional style.
When you wish to see a glimpse of Modern Dubai, a must-see is Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest structure. Although still in renovation to reach the 800m height in late 2009, the building is currently way over 600m. Another distinctly modern building is the Burj al-Arab Hotel, which self-proclaims that it is the world’s first 7-star hotel.
Other must-see places include the Palm Islands that features three large artificial islands, The Creek, The Grand Mosque, Burj Nahar, Sheikh Saeed’s House, Bait Al Wakeel, Magic Planet, Wonderland, Encounter Zone and Dubai’s World Trade Center.
Interesting places to visit include Dubai’s archeological sites at the Al Sufooh, Jumeirah and Al Ghusais, Dubaai Zoo, the Souks on various parts of the city, The Diving Village, Al Boom Tourist Village and Deira Creekside.
With the wide range of places to go in this small city, may it be historical, cultural or recreational, anyone can enjoy the interesting and fun places Dubai has to offer.
Further reading
Hydropolis Dubai Hotel - The first underwater hotel located under the Persian Gulf.
Burj Dubai Tower - The tallest man-made structure ever built.
Burj Al Arab - The only seven star hotel in the world.
Jumeirah Dubai - One of the most exclusive parts of Dubai.
Bur Dubai - The most important and historic district in Dubai.