Attractions

Dubai has grown from its humble origins as an 18th century fishing settlement, into a modern regional trade hub over a remarkably short period of time.  The discovery of oil in 1966 dramatically transformed the Emirate, allowing the development of modern economic and social infrastructure.  But if you take time to explore, you’ll find that behind the modern skyscrapers and highways, Dubai has many cultural and historic attractions, and is committed to preserving its unique and rich heritage.

Culture & Heritage

Dubai Museum
The Dubai Museum is housed within the beautifully restored Al Fahidi Fort, which was built around 1787 to defend the city against invasion.  The museum's diverse collection of exhibits gives a fascinating insight into the rich history and cultural heritage of Dubai, depicting 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 the desert.  Exhibits include artifacts from the pearl diving industry, with sets of pearl merchants’ weights and scales on display, as well as items excavated from several archaeological sites within Dubai, which date back to the third millennium B.C.

Heritage & Diving Village
The Heritage Village is located near the mouth of Dubai Creek, the 14km stretch of water that separates the two parts of Dubai into Deira and Bur Dubai.  Here visitors can look back in time and experience some of Dubai's heritage, where traditional potters and weavers work and display their handicrafts.  Abras (traditional wooden boats) cross the Creek, providing a delightful and scenic trip across the water.  The Diving Village forms part of an ambitious plan to turn the entire Shindagha area into a cultural microcosm, recreating life in Dubai as it was in days gone by when pearl diving and fishing were central to Dubai’s economy and Dubai Creek became a central hub for trade in the region.

Jumeirah Mosque
The Jumeirah Mosque is built in the medieval Fatimid tradition combined with modern building materials.  Considered to be one of the most attractive mosques in Dubai, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding organizes visits to the Jumeirah Mosque for non-Muslims, aimed at promoting cultural understanding and first-hand experience as an insight to the Islamic religion.

Sheikh Saeed’s House
The official residence of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai (1912 - 1958) and grandfather of the present Ruler, Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, stands proudly restored in the Shindagha district of Dubai Creek. The house, which dates from 1896, today houses a rare collection of historic photographs, coins, stamps and documents that record Dubai’s history.

Other Attractions 

Dubai also hosts numerous trade exhibitions and conventions throughout the year at two state-of-the-art Exhibition Centers.  The Dubai World Trade Centre and the Airport Expo Centre host many of the regions largest and most prestigious exhibitions.