Pottery, weapons and coinage artefacts that have been discovered in the area indicate that Dubai was settled since 4,000 B.C., and it is believed that it once served as a port on the trade route between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Dubai’s history and culture, however, is rooted in Islam and it is preserved in the many forts, mosques, palaces and other historic monuments of Dubai. In addition to these monuments which record the pre-Islamic history of Dubai, one finds many astonishing modern landmarks which are worth seeing and photographing. Although there is no dress code, remember to dress appropriately when going outside: confine your swimwear to the beach and hotel pools and ensure that your shoulders and knees are covered when in public, especially in souks, shops and villages.
The 818 meters tall Buri Al Arab has 160 floors and it one of the tallest buildings in the world and the most famous attractions of Dubai. It is located on the Sheikh Zayed Road, near Dubai's main business district. Buri Al Arab was design by architect Adrian Smith of the Chicago based Skydome, Owings and Merrils firm and was constructed by the Samsung Engineering & Construction, Besix and Arabtec. Iits construction was managed by the Turner Construction Company. The World: this development is located 4 km off the shore of Jumeirah. It is shaped like the globe with its continents and is an archipelago of 300 man-made islands where one finds private homes and resorts. The islands’ sizes range from 250 to 900 thousand square feet and are separated by 50 to 100 metres of water. The development covers a 9 km by 6km area and is accessible only by marine transportation. The construction of the World development cost $ US 1.8 billion, and house prices on the islands begin at (US$ 6.85 million).
The Palm Islands (Jumeirah Palm, Palm Jebel Ali-Dubai and alm Deira - Dubai): the Palm islands are the largest man-made islands in the world and are named the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’. The islands form a date palm tree and support more than 60 luxury hotels, 4,000 residential villas, 5,000 shoreline apartments, numerous marinas, water parks, shopping malls, restaurants, sports and health facilities and cinemas. The development has increased Dubai’s shoreline by 120 km and it was developed by the Al Nakheel Corporation. The islands are linked to the mainland with bridges. Dubai Marina: this waterfront development is a city within a city located near Interchange 5 Sahikh Zayed Road and is linked with Jabel Ali Port Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and the American University. It is one of the Emaar prestigious residential clusters with about 70 towers, 20,000 apartments, 700 berths for boat owners and restaurants offering various cuisines. This marina took over the record for being the largest man-made marina from the Marina del Ray in Los Angeles.
The museum is found in the Al Fahidi Fort which is itself an attraction. The fort was built around 1787 and is one of the oldest buildings in Dubai. Its walls were built from coral and shell rubble and cemented together with lime. The fort’s ceiling was made from palm fronds, mud and plaster. The fort was renovated in 1971, and houses the many ancient artefacts that were found in the area and which date from the 3rd millennium B.C.
The museum’s life-size exhibits are recreations of traditional every day life scenes from before the discovery of oil, and include souk and trading scenes from the Dubai Creek, farming and schooling scenes and marine life scenes including pearl diving, as well as pearl merchants’ weights and scales. Loud speakers recreate also the sounds from these scenes, like quarrelling sounds from the souk, and the sound of grunting camels. Located on Al Fahidi Street. You get there by the Textile Souk, down by the Creek. The museum is open Saturday to Thursday from 8:30 to 20:30 and on Friday from 14:30 to 20:30. During Ramadan the museum is open Saturday to Thursday from 9:00 to 17:00 and on Friday from 14:00 to 17:00. Entry fees: Adult: Dhs 3. Children: Dhs 1. Phone: 04-3531862
The house dates from 1896, and was the official residence of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, the grandfather of today’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bi Rashid Al Maktoum, who ruled Dubai from 1912 until 1958. Here you will see a rare collection of old photographs, coins, stamps and documents which record the history of Dubai. The house is located in the Al Shindagha Area, on the facing end of the Dubai Creek and it is open Saturday to Thursday from 8:30 to 20:30 and on Friday from 15:00 to 20:30. During Ramadan the house is open Saturday to Thursday from 9:00 to 17:00 and on Friday from 14:00 to 17:00. Entry fee for adult Dhs 2 and for children Dhs 1. Phone: 04 3937139.
This impressive medieval Fatimid style mosque is built of stone, and it is an example of modern Islamic architecture. The mosque was built in 1983 and is adorned with 2 minarets from where the Muezzin cries out the Adhan (call to prayer) from the loud speaker five times a day by facing the 4 directions in turn. Mosques are places of worship and under normal circumstances non –Muslims are not allowed to enter them.
However, in an effort to promote an understanding of Islam which touches every aspect of the life and culture of Muslims, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding organises tours to the Jumeirah Mosque. It is extremely important to dress properly: wear trousers or wide long (covering the knees) skirt and cover your shoulders and elbows; it is respectful to also cover your hair. The mosque is located in the heart of Dubai at the beginning of the Jumeirah Beach Road. Phone: 4-353 6666.
The village is located near the mouth of the Dubai Creek in the Shindgha district. Here the visitor can experience Dubai’s heritage and watch potters and weavers practicing their traditional crafts. There are also exhibits and demonstrations of pearl diving. Visiting hours: Saturday to Thursday from 8:30 to 22:00 and Friday from 15:0 to 22:00. During Ramadan the site is open from Saturday to Thursday from 9:00 to 14:00 and then 20:30 to midnight and on Friday from 20:30 to midnight. There is no entry fee. Phone: 04 3937139.