In a space of 24-hours, visitors to Dubai can revel in the breathtaking scenery of rugged mountain ranges and majestic sand dunes, dip their toes in the waters of the Gulf or just take in the beat of the city. Dubai blends an ultra-modern way of life with the old-world charm of Arabia. Here dusty villages and ancient houses sit beside luxurious residential districts and ultra-modern shopping malls.

Dubai is both a dynamic international business hub as well as a relaxing escape for the visiting tourist. It is also a city where the sophistication of the 21st century goes hand in hand with the simplicity of a bygone era. Whilst visitors and residents are encouraged to enjoy an international lifestyle it is important to appreciate the culture of Dubai which is deeply rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia.

Al Boom Tourist Village

The traditional architecture of the AI Boom Tourist Village forms a stately city landmark. Situated adjacent to Creek Park it comprises of a 2,000 -seat banquet hall, coffee shop, restaurant, amusement park, ornamental lake and marina with five cruise boats.Future plans for the village include a five-star hotel built in the shape of a traditional sailing dhow and self catering as well as fully-serviced chalets.

Al Almadiya School, Museum of Education
Built in 1912 by Sheikh Ahmed bin Dalmouk, the Al-Almadiya School in Deira was Dubai's first school. It has since been restored with natural materials of gypsum, coral, shell, stone and sandalwood as used in the original building.

Archaeological sites

Dubai's three main excavation sites include Al Ghusais, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah. The first two are graveyards dating back more than 2,000 years while the Jumeirah site has revealed artefacts from the seventh to the 15th centuries.

Bait Al Wakeel

Dubai's first office building, Bait Al Wakeel dates back to 1934 and was built by the late Sheikh Rashid at the edge of the Creek near the abra (water taxi) landing in Bur Dubai. The building has been completely restored and now houses a Maritime Museum.

Bastakiya and Shindagha

Providing a tantalising glimpse of old Dubai is the old Bastakiya district of Bur Dubai, with its narrow lanes and houses with tall chimney-like structures called wind-towers. Before the advent of air-conditioning, houses were cooled by air being channelled down the wind-tower to the rooms below. Often strips of material or fine cloth were hung from brackets lining the tower to offer additional breeze. Historically, the city was famous for its mass of wind-towers which lined either side of the Creek. The Bastakiya district has recently been renovated to include a museum, cultural centre, restaurants and a heritage hotel with an art gallery.

In the nearby Shindagha district more than 30 traditional houses have been restored in an initiative to re-establish its original character. The area features windtowers and quaint sikkas (alley-ways).

Benjamaan House

Deira's Benjaman's House has been converted into a museum of traditional architecture.Originally built in 1890, by a famous merchant of the same name, Benjamaan House offers an insight into Gulf architecture.

Burj Al Arab

Set on its own man-made island, projecting 280 metres into the Gulf and shaped like an normous billowing sail, Burj Al Arab is a 321-metre high masterpiece of architecture.With 202 luxury duplex suites, a restaurant at the very top and the most opulent interior d¨Ścor, Burj Al Arab is the tallest all-suite hotel in the world.

Burj Al Nahar

Located in the picturesque gardens in Deira, the Burj Al Nahar is one of three watch-towers that guard the old city.

Deira Creek

An impressive sight along the Creek near the dhow wharf is a group of distinctive modern buildings which include the Etisalat Tower, the Department of Economic Development, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the National Bank of Dubai headquarters, Dubai Creek Tower and Twin Towers.

The Etisalat Tower is topped by a telecommunications dome resembling a giant globe and is particularly striking when illuminated at night. The Department of Economic Development is a five-storey building with delicately designed window screens and massive, decorated main doors.

By contrast, the neighbouring Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry tower is a dramatic blue glass-faced structure, a symbol of the emirate's prosperity and forward vision. Nearby is the Municipality building, which manages to convey an impression of cool shade through the clever use of water and screens, Most striking though is the headquarters of the National Bank of Dubai building, home to the DTCM Head Office which, with its use of polished steel and glass, produces a shimmering reflection of the Creek on its curved facade, This eye-catching building, which was designed by Carlos Ott, architect of the Bastille Opera House in Paris, is at its most spectacular best at sunset.

Deira Tower

Dominating Bani Yas Square in the heart of Deira is Deira Tower with its distinctive circular 'cap'. As an early example of the effort to blend modern architecture with older surroundings, Deira Tower incorporates structural features designed to soften the impact of the harsh summer climate on the occupants of the shops, offices and apartments within.

Dubai Creek

Dubai Creek is a natural sea-water inlet which traverses through the centre of the city. Both historically and today the Creek is a focal point for life in Dubai. A walk along its banks will evoke the city's centuries-old trading traditions, The colour and bustle of the loading and unloading of dhows, which still ply ancient trade routes to places as distant as India and East Africa, captivates visitors.

The best way to see the Creek is from the water itself. For a nominal sum, small water taxis called abras criss-cross the Creek from the souqs (markets) of Deira to those on the Bur Dubai side. The abras may also be hired and the boatmen will take visitors on a fascinating, hour-long trip from the abra embarkation points to the mouth of Dubai Creek and inland to the Maktoum Bridge, passing a number of the city's historic and modern landmarks along the way.

On the Deira side, a broad and well-lit paved promenade extends from the Corniche allowing for visitors to stroll along the Arabian Gulf. On the Bur Dubai side, between Maktoum and Garhoud bridges, Creek Park offers pleasant, paved walks and extensive landscaped public gardens.

At the inland end of the Creek a large, shallow lagoon has been created into a wildlife sanctuary and is a haven for migratory shore birds. During the autumn migration upto 27,000 birds have been accounted for at any point of time , most spectacular among which are the greater flamingos which have made the Creek their permanent home.

Dubai Festival City

The unique waterfront development, iconic resort-style city is a must see. The Dubai Festival City is a place designed for the people of Dubai and its increasing number of visitors. It will offer a wide range of attractions including shops, restaurants and hotels as The Festival Centre, situated on the curve of the Creek at the very heart of the City is the city's 'jewel in the crown'. With more than 400 shops, 70 restaurants and cafes, a marina, festival square, the Festival Centre offers an unique and vibrant setting where families and friends meet and relax. Additional attractions are a Canal Walk with water taxis to ferry guests to the restaurants, cafes and shops, a boulevard capturing the essence of Paris' Champs Elysee and a waterfront souk embracing Dubai's heritage of Arabian art and crafts.

Dubai Museum

Housed inside the Al Fahidi Fort, Dubai Museum is an imposing building which is also a fascinating military museum. Built around 1787, it once guarded the city's landward approaches and has served variously as a palace, garrison and prison. Renovated for use as a museum in I 971, the building underwent further restoration with the addition of walk-in galleries in 1995.

Colourful and evocative dioramas complete with life-size figures and sound and lighting effects vividly depict everyday life in Dubai during the pre-oil days. Galleries recreate several scenes from the Creek, traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souq, date gardens as well as desert and marine life.

One of the museum's most spectacular exhibits portrays the underwater world of pearl-diving, accompanied by sets of pearl merchants' weights, scales and sieves. Also on display are fine copper, alabaster and pottery artefacts uncovered from 4,000year-old graves at Al Ghusais (one of Dubai's archaeological sites).

Dubai World Trade Centre

Rising 39 floors above the city, the Dubai World Trade Centre's office tower houses the regional head-quarters of many of the world's largest corporations. Built in 1979, as the tallest building at the time in the Middle East, it has an Arabian restaurant on the 37th floor with stunning views of the Dubai skyline.

Situated nearby is the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre which hosts an active programme of international trade fairs and exhibitions attracting exhibitors and visitors frorn all round the world.

Dubai Zoo

Located in Jumeirah, the Dubai Zoo is a popular attraction, especially for families. Its modern facilities, though small, houses many indigenous Arabian species, including the Arabian Wolf, which is no longer found in the wild, Gordon's Wildcat and the world's only captive-breeding colony of Socotra Cormorants. Featured in its large aviary are regional birds of prey, while nine species of large cat and seven species of primates are also on show, along with many Arabian mammals. The zoo will soon relocate to a site near Mushrif Park and undergo re-development to display six major habitats: Sub-Saharan Africa, Arabian desert, a Wadi Valley, Arabian Coastal Desert, Asian Temperate Forest and the Himalayan hillside. The new zoo will contain a biodiversity museum, breeding and conservation areas and a well-equipped veterinary centre.

Emirates Tower

Towering above the Dubai skyline is the elegant hotel-and-office complex of Emirates Towers. At 350 metres high, the office tower is the tallest building in the Middle East and Europe, Primarily a business hotel, Emirates Towers has every conceivable luxury for the travelling executive.

Godolphin Gallery

A celebration of the ruling Maktoum family's private racing stable, the Godolphin Gallery houses the world's finest collection of horse-racing trophies. On display are the glittering trophies received from the world's greatest races including the King George and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, the Prix de I 'Arc de Triomphe, the Prince of Wales's Stakes and the Dubai World Cup. A truly international experience, the gallery incorporates interactive touchscreen consoles, action photographs, video presentations and memorabilia, all depicting the first nine years of the Godolphin racing stable. Adjacent to Nad AI Sheba racecourse, the gallery is open from January to April and is a unique opportunity to share in one of Dubai's most prestigious operations.

Heritage and Diving Village

Located near the mouth of the Creek, this heritage site presents both a comprehensive insight into the emirate's maritime past and a fine example of traditional Gulf architecture. Local potters and weavers sell their handicrafts in a tented Bedouin village and camel rides are also available.

Heritage House

Located in Deira and built in 1890, this house was once owned by Dubai's most famous pearl merchant, Sheikh Ahmed bin Dalmouk. An excellent example of Dubai's vernacular architecture it was restored and re-opened in 2000 and presents a vivid recreation of local period household interiors.

Madinat Jumeirah

Described as the 'most comprehensive resort in the world', Madinat Jumeirah is a beach resort with a difference, It encompasses two hotels as well as guest houses, a vibrant souk, a theatre, an incredible variety of restaurants, a spa and its own series of waterways served by traditional abras (water taxis).

Majlis Gallery

In white-washed rooms and central courtyard, an old wind-tower house in Bastakiya is home to a delightful art gallery. Hosting ten exhibitions of contemporary artists per year, the gallery complex also provides a range of pottery, glass, fabrics, furniture and other desirable objets d'art,

Grand Mosque

Situated on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek near the Ruler's Court, the Grand Mosque is one of Dubai's most distinguished landmarks. With nine large domes boasting stained-glass panels and 45 small ones, it also has the city's tallest minaret, measuring an incredible 70 metres in height.

Source : GoDubai