Dubai combines two cities, Dubai and Deira. They are divided by the Creek and they are a paradise for sightseeing with their unique characters. You will be amazed at the diversity of architecture and cultures that this city emcompasses, ranging from traditional Arab houses to magnificent modern towers of steel and glass.
Some of the sightseeing spots you can be at while in Dubai are:

• Aerogulf Services
• Al Boom Tourist Village
• Archaeological Sites
• Bait Al Wakeel
• Bastakiya
• Bedouin Village
• Burj Nahar
• Deira Covered Souk (District)
• Dubai Creek
• Dubai Museum
• Dubai World Trade Centre
• Gold Souk
• Grand Mosque
• Hatta
• Hatta Mountains
• Heritage and Diving Village
• Jumeirah Mosque
• Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House (Museum)
• Port Rashid, Dubai
• Shindagha
• Spice Souk

Aerogulf Services



Aerogulf Services is located at Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates and in as November 2003 Aerogulf moved into our new purpose built helicopter operations and maintenance facility located on Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Contact Aerogulf Services - Tel: 2200331


Al Boom Tourist Village



Adjacent to Creekside Park, the village consists of a 2,000 seat banquet hall, a coffee shop, restaurant, amusement park, ornamental lake and a marina with five cruise boats. Its traditional architecture forms a stately city landmark. Located next to Wonderland Family Fun Park. It is open 7 days. Timings: 9am-1am. Entertainment includes evening boat cruises with dinner served.
Contact Al Boom Tourist Village - Tel: 3243000


Archaeological Sites



There are three main archaeological sites in Dubai. They are located in Al Ghusals, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah. Al Ghusals and Al Sufooh have over 2000 years old graveyards. You can visit the excavation sites at Al Ghusais, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah where you will find artifacts from the 7th to 15th century.
Contact Off Road Adventures - Tel: 04 3432288


Bait Al Wakeel



Built in 1934 by the late Sheikh Rashid, Bait Al Wakeel was Dubai's first office building. At the edge of the Creek near the abra landing, the building has been completely restored and now houses a museum devoted to Dubai's fishing and maritime traditions.


Bastakiya



The old Bastakiya district with its narrow lanes and tall wind-towers gives a tantalizing glimpse of old Dubai. Immediately to the east of Al Fahidi Fort is the largest concentration of traditional courtyard houses with windtowers.
In the past, the city was famous for a mass of windtowers which lined the Creek on either side. These were not merely decorative; they were the only means of cooling houses in the days before electricity.

Bedouin Village



Some local tour operators offer the opportunity to visit Bedouin village outside Dubai. This provides an experience of the traditional desert way of life and may include camel-riding lessons. Those who want a desert safari experience with a difference may choose to stay at Al Maha, a unique luxury resort set in 3,300 acres of dunes off the highway between blankets, rugs, beads and a variety of other rural wares spread on the ground. Owners urge jockeys on to the finish line while trainers speedily follow the races in fourwheel drives which plough through the dust of the inside track. The atmosphere is contagious!


Burj Nahar



Burj Nahar Built around 1870, the Nahar Tower was one in the line of defences to the east and north of the city. One of the three watchtowers guarding the old city, the restored Burj Nahar with its picturesque gardens in Deira is quite a popular spot for photography.
Contact Travelogue Tourism- Tel: 04 3550660


Deira Covered Souk (District)



This souk specialises in textiles and is located in the Al Sabkha Bus station area, Dubai
This is one of the main souks in Dubai and is well worth a wander and a barter.


Dubai Creek



The Creek is lined by dhows and offers a picturesque glimpse of Dubai's trading heritage. It can crossed by 'abra' (water taxi) and tour operators offer day or night cruises.
Contact Creek Cruises - Tel: 04 3939860


Dubai Museum



Al Fahidi Fort, which houses the Dubai Museum, is another imposing building. It once guarded the city's landlord approaches. Built around 1799, it has served variously as palace, garrison and prison.
It was renovated in 1970 for use as a museum; further restoration and the addition of galleries was completed in 1995. Colorful and evocative dioramas, complete with life-size figures and sound and lighting effects, vividly depict everyday life in pre-oil days. Galleries rescenes from the Creek, traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souk, date gardens, desert and marine life. One of the most spectacular exhibits portrays the underwater world of pearl-diving, and is accompanied by sets of pearl merchants' weights, scales and sieves.
Also on display are artifacts such as fine copper, alabaster and pottery objects found in 3,000-4,000 year-old graves at Al Ghusais. The main fort is a fascinating military museum.
Contact Timing Open daily from 8.30am - 8.30pm
except Fridays: 3pm-8.30pm;
Tel: 3531862


Dubai World Trade Centre



The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) was established to stimulate trade and commerce in the United Arab Emirates in 1979. Over the past two decades, the DWTC has become a symbol of economic growth and prosperity in the Middle East. It undertakes three core activities: organizing exhibitions, providing hospitality services and property leasing.
From humble beginning in 1979 to being a state-of-the-art complex today, the DWTC has recorded remarkable growth in all areas of its core activities. The Complex includes a 39-storey office tower, 492 serviced residential apartments with a sports club, seven international standard interconnected and purpose built exhibition halls, a 200-seat theatre, a congress center and a private member's business club.
Contact Tel: 04 3321000


Gold Souk



Dubai boasts one of the largest retail gold markets in the world, selling everything from ingots to intricately worked jewellery at bargain prices. The street-front stores hide alleys of smaller shops with glittering show windows.


Grand Mosque



Situated on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek near the Ruler's Court, Grand Mosque was re-built in 1998 and now has, at 70 metres, the city's tallest minaret. It has 45 small domes in addition to nine large ones boasting stained glass panels, making it a distinguished landmark and important place of worship.
Address Al Mussalla Road (near Ruler's Court)


Hatta



In the foothills of the majestic Hajjar mountains, Hatta is a comfortable resort, ideal for a weekend getaway. The historic Hatta fort overlooks the town. The area is a much frequented picnic spot, and is about one hour drive from Dubai.
Contact Alpha Tours Tel: 04 2949888


Hatta Mountains



From Jurassic Park to Hatta in one swoop. Larger than life: The 30 metre long Dinosaur dwarfed by the Hatta Mountains. Stairs under its tail will lead to a room built in its stomach where replics of the stone Age will be kept.
A white prancing horse adorns a hill on top at the farm. Visitors to the farm are greeted by a cannon. The driveway, internal roads and walkways are made of stone with pictures created from different coloured stones.


Heritage and Diving Village



A traditional heritage village, located in the Shindagah area has been created where potters and weavers display their crafts. The Diving village forms part of an ambitious plan to turn the entire area into a cultural microcosm, recreating life in Dubai as it was in days gone by. Located near the mouth of the creek, this area is also popular in the evenings as a venue for its open-air cafeterias and live entertainment. Several shops also sell handicrafts. No entrance fees.
Contact Tel: 04 3937151


Jumeirah Mosque



Located on Al Jumeira Road this mosque, one of the most beautiful of all, and a fine example of modern Islamic architecture. The beauty of the mosque, the city's largest, is seen at its very best particularly when floodlit after sundown, when the subtle lighting throws its artistry into relief. The mosque is one of the most visited and photographed sights. Tours are at 10am every Sunday and Thursday mornings. For tour information, contact the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, which is open 8am - 3pm, Sat-Wed.
Contact Tel: 04 3447755


Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House (Museum)

Port Rashid, Dubai



Shaikh Saeed was the grandfather of the present ruler and his house has been restored as a museum. Dating from the late 1800s, Sheikh Saeed's House was built in a commanding position near the sea so the Ruler could observe shipping activity from its balconies. With its windtowers and layers of rooms built around a central courtyard, it is a fine example of regional architecture. An ambitious restoration project has returned the house to its former glory and makes it a showcase for the history and development of Dubai.
Sheikh Saeed's house can be visited as part of the Big Bus Company's tour of Dubai. The ticket price of Dhs 75 includes the entrance to Sheikh Saeed's House and Dubai museum as well.
Contact Tel: 04 3937139



Shindagha



At the mouth of the Creek, Shindagha is the original site from which Dubai grew. Sheikh Saeed's house, the former home of the ruling Maktoum family, has been carefully restored here. Open daily from 8:30am - 8:30pm, except Fridays: 3pm - 8:30pm.
Timings: Open daily from 8:30am - 8:30pm except Fridays: 3pm - 8:30pm



Spice Souk



The narrow lanes of the spice souk are redolent with cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, incense, dried fruit and nuts. Imported from all over the Middle East, they are sold straight out of open sacks that surround the shop keepers.

With Love from jDoerty