Sights, Attractions & Institutions

Dubai is one of those rare places in the world that offers something for everyone. There’s plenty to do - and more to see. This kaleidoscopic emirate is a treasure trove of sights, sounds and smells. This shimmering ocean of chrome, glass and metal serves up huge doses of fun, topped off with adrenaline pumping adventure. Here is where one can whiz down a ski slope in the middle of the desert, get lost in the azure depths of a massive aquarium, or lift off on a helicopter to greet the skyline of this futuristic metropolis. Alongside everything sparkly and new is Old Dubai, where one can walk on narrow pathways and discover the city’s Arabic roots. This is the City of Plenty, led by its visionary ruler, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. As per one observer, “Nothing exists in small measure in Dubai. The only thing that is lacking here is time.”

Historical Landmarks

Historical sites and buildings enjoy a lot of attention from local authorities. The emirate’s government makes huge efforts to guarantee that future generations will inherit historical places in immaculate shape. These heritage buildings evoke a time before modern Dubai, a time when pearl divers, potters and weavers practiced their art and made a living in the middle of the undulating desert.

Sheikh Saeed’s House

Built in 1896, the Sheikh Saeed House was once the seat of Dubai's local government. The official residence of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai (1912-1958) has been restored to its former glory on the Shindagha end of Dubai Creek. Today, it houses a rare collection of historic photographs, coins, stamps and documents that record Dubai’s history.

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The Bastakiya

This is one of the oldest residential areas in Dubai, its construction dating back to the 1890s. Originally home to the local rich, the discovery of oil allowed these moneyed families to move to other parts of the city. Later, many expatriate families moved to this heritage area. The Al Fahidi Fort is only a short walk away, and other attractions of the area include its wind towers, and other traditional architecture.

Hatta Heritage Village

Nestled in the Hajjar Mountains, the Hatta Heritage Village dates back to the 16th century. The drive is as fascinating as the destination itself, taking the visitor through burnished sand dunes and mountains covered in myriad hues. Overlooking a spectacular oasis, this village was built to showcase the inimitable skill of the potters and weavers of yore. The site also boasts two breath-taking watchtowers and the Juma mosque.

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Burj Nahar

Burj Nahar, located 10 minutes away from the international airport, was one of three watchtowers that guarded Dubai against invasions from the east and north. A splendid garden around the tower makes it a favourite with photographers, especially at night. Built in 1870, it was restored in 1992 and now stands tall in the picturesque neighbourhood of Deira.

Sheikh Obaid bin Thani House

One of the first houses of Al Shindagha, the house was built in 1917 out of maritime stones and gypsum, reflecting the prosperity of the region at that time owing to the flourishing pearl trade. The owners’ families lived here in comfort, with the large shady courtyard, and special entrance for the female guests. The house has been recently converted to a museum.

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Bait Al Wakeel

This was the first building in Dubai that was dedicated completely to administration purposes. Originally, it was meant to serve as the office of Gray Mackenzie and, as it was convenient for the abra landing at the edge of Dubai creek, it also served as the first location for imports and exports. In 1995, the building was remodelled into a maritime museum. It now offers educational programs for those interested in studying the fishing and maritime traditions of the city. The well-known restaurant Turathi is perched above the creek.

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The Heritage Village & Diving Village

Located near the mouth of Dubai Creek in the Shindagha district, the Heritage and Diving Village features potters and weavers practicing traditional crafts. The Village welcomes tourists from around the world who walk through storybook displays that include an ancient armoury and Bedouin camps. Exhibits and demonstrations display the dangers of pearl diving, the traditional career for men in the area.

Dubai Museum

The Dubai Museum is located in Al Fahidi Fort, and believed to be the oldest building in Dubai. It was built around 1787, and renovated in 1971, to be used as a museum. Here, one can experience the transformation of Dubai through time from a desert settlement into one of the world’s richest cities. The museum has archaeological artefacts dating back to 3000 BC. Not many know that Dubai was once famous for pearls. Various galleries reconstruct scenes from the Creek, traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souks, date farms and desert and marine life.

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Al Ahmadiya School

Started by a philanthropist pearl merchant Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Dalmouk Ahmed Bin Dalmouk in 1912, this school is the oldest in the city. Initially, Al Ahmadiya taught only a handful of subjects like mathematics and Arabic to nearly 200 boys. The main focus of the school was the Quran. More schools opened by the end of the decade and Al Ahmadiya closed, re-opening again in the 1930s. Thirty-five years later the school closed for good and the building was restored in 1995 as a museum of public education.

Heritage House

Next to Dubai’s first-ever school, is the house of the man who started it: Sheik Ahmed bin Dalmouk. Built in 1890 and originally home to a wealthy Iranian merchant, the house is located on the Deira side of Dubai creek. It was restored in 1994, a year before the restoration of the Ahmadiya School.

Majlis Ghorfat Umm-Al Sheif

Built in 1955, as the summer residence of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Majlis Ghorfat Umm-Al Sheif is one of Dubai’s most important historical buildings. Standing two storeys tall in Jumeirah, it was built in the traditional style and designed so the interiors were cooled by the sea breezes. The Dubai Municipality restored the building in 1994, reinforcing the walls and foundation, and providing traditional furnishings.

Archaeological Digs

There are four main excavation sites in Dubai, at Al Qusais, Al Sufooh, Jumeirah and Hatta. The first two are graveyards dating back more than 2,000 years. The Jumeirah site is the largest of its kind in the UAE, and excavations here have revealed stone houses, souks and various artefacts from the 7th to 15th centuries AD. Many of these are displayed in the Dubai Museum. These sites are not yet open to the public. However tourists or tour operators may obtain a special permit from Dubai Museum to visit the digs.

Roundhouse

Located in Jumeirah, on the site of former ruler His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum’s office, the Roundhouse is a replica of the original Roundhouse, where documents forming the UAE were signed in 1972.

Modern Architecture and Landmarks

Architects from all around the world vie for the honour of designing a building in Dubai, for the emirate is a veritable showcase of cutting edge architecture and modern design. From stately office complexes to the graceful arches of hotels, Dubai is a treat for connoisseurs of art. Some of the world’s future landmarks are being constructed as you read this.

Burj Khalifa

The tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa stands at an incredible height of 828 metres. The design of the building is akin to famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s plan for The Illinois, the mile- high building that never saw the light of day. The triple-lobed footprint of the building was inspired by nature, from the flower Hymenocallis. At its apex, the tower sways a total of 4.9 feet.

Emirates Towers

These twin gun-metal grey towers soar above all the surrounding buildings. One houses offices, while the other is a hotel. The structure adheres to a triangular format, from the sloping roofs to the skylights. The base traces the graceful lines of an oval, and this motif can be found on the upper storeys as well.

Burj al-Arab

Probably the most recognisable building of the new millennium, the Burj al-Arab is a favourite with the rich and famous. Shaped like a massive sail, this ultra luxurious hotel has 300 two-storey suites, an underwater restaurant, and a 200metre-high lobby. At its apex, one can see a helipad, and a restaurant, which puts a new spin on ‘dining under the stars’.

Dusit Dubai

There is no dearth of skyscrapers on the busy Sheikh Zayed Road but one of the most eye-catching is the Dusit Dubai. It comprises two towers joined at the top to resemble a pair of folded hands, the traditional greeting in Thailand. This makes it structurally apt for the Thai hotel it houses.

Port Rashid Customs Authority

This building structurally incorporates the design of the hulls of two huge dhows. The bows stretch away from either side of the entrance, and inside are the offices.

Royal Mirage

Literally an oasis amidst the bustle of Dubai. 1300 date palms line this hotel, which is built along the lines of a majestic Arabian fortress. The building draws heavily from traditional architecture, from the low-rise mud walls and battlements, mosaic flooring, and intricate woodwork, to the elegant Persian garden.

Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

Set amidst lush, sprawling lawns and rolling hillocks, this building is the perfect blend of the East and West. The design of the roof follows the billowing sails of a traditional dhow, while the interiors mirror those of posh clubs located anywhere in the world.

Emirates Training Building

While the road facing it is not a runway, this building is shaped like the front end of an aircraft. While it’s not as sophisticated as most of the architectural treasures of Dubai, it certainly catches, and holds attention.

Jumeirah Beach Hotel

This building evokes the poetic motion of a wave, with the shimmering Persian Gulf as its backdrop, right on Jumeirah Road. A massive mural depicting Dubai, which extends to the full height of the structure, beautifies the lobby.

Emirates NBD

All that glitters is indeed gold! This golden building faces the creek in Deira, and has become one of the iconic structures of Dubai. When the sun goes down, its façade traps the last rays of light, and the effect this produces is something visitors must experience when in Dubai.

The Palm Islands

Many know Palm Jumeirah as an international icon, but few realize that it was created to help solve Dubai's beach shortage. The Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum drew a sketch of a palm tree, realizing its fronds would provide more beach frontage than a traditional circular island. From this insight, the idea of Palm Jumeira was born. The Palm Deira and the Palm Jebel Ali complete the trilogy. Another claim to fame of the islands is that they are the only man-made structures, apart from the Great Wall of China, that can be seen from space.

Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Clothed in dazzling sheets of blue glass, this triangular building is an ode to modern architecture. Viewed from certain points, all features seem to disappear, and it takes on the appearance of a massive monolith.

Etisalat Building

A giant, glittering golf ball crowns this building, representing the power of global communications uniting the entire planet. This design has proved to be so popular that Etisalat buildings in all the other emirates mimic it.

Atlantis, The Palm

Atlantis, The Palm is a 1,539 room, ocean-themed destination resort located at the centre of the crescent of the man-made Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. The resort consists of two towers linked by a bridge. It houses an impressive collection of luxury boutiques and shops and extensive meeting and convention facilities. Other attractions include the Aquaventure theme park, the Dolphin Bay where guests can swim and interact with dolphins and The Lost Chambers, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways recreating the fabled island of Atlantis.