Dubai is a vibrant city that is dotted by a number of unique historic sites and buildings that provide us a glimpse of the era gone by. The following are just a few of the popular sites that must be seen during your visit to Dubai. Your Dubai travel itinery should include the following places that must be seen for a complete experience of this unique city.
Dubai Museum
Dubai Museum
The Dubai museum is located in the Al Fahidi Fort, which was built around 1787. The fort guarded against the landward approaches to the town once upon a time. The fort was renovated in 1971 for being used as a museum. The galleries are replete with pictures of the creek, ancient Arab homes, souk and the mosques, desert, date farms and marine life and must be visited during your travel to Dubai. Other displays include pearl merchants’ scales, sieves and weights, pearl diving etc.
Visiting Hours
Saturday to Thursday : 08:30-19:30 daily
Friday: 13:30-19:30
Ramadan:
Saturday - Thursday: 09:00-17:00
Friday: 14:00-17:00
Telephone: 04-3531862
Sheikh Saeed’s House
Sheikh Saeed’s House
The restored official residence of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai (1912-1958) and grandfather of the present Ruler, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktourm, stands on the Shandagha end of Dubai Creek. Dating back to 1896, the house has a rare collection of coins, documents relating to Dubai’s history, historic photographs, stamps etc.
Visiting Hours
Saturday to Thursday : 08:00-20:30 daily
Friday: 15:30-21:30
Ramadan:
Saturday - Thursday: 09:00-17:00
Friday: 14:00-17:00
Telephone: 04-3937139
The Bastakiya
The ancient Bastakiya district’s main features are its tall wind towers and narrow lanes that give us a glimpse into old Dubai. It has the biggest collection of ancient court yard type of houses in Dubai and is just a short walk from Al Fahidi Fort. This is an attractive locale which must be seen during your visit to Dubai.
Hatta Heritage Village
Hatta heritage village
Overlooking a fertile oasis and situated among the Hajjar Mountains, the 16th century Hatta village is a good example of old style village architecture. It dates back to 400 years and has a mosque, two watchtowers and homes made of mud, stone and palm tree trunks which can be enjoyed during Dubai travel.
Visiting Hours
Saturday to Thursday : 08:00-20:00 daily
Friday: 14:00-20:00
Ramadan:
Saturday - Thursday: 09:00-17:00
Friday: 14:00-17:00
Telephone: 04-8521374
Burj Nahar
Built in 1870 and one of the numerous watchtowers that once guarded the old city, the tower was in 1992 in and has the picturesque Deira which is popular among photographers. This place must be definitely seen by all during Dubai travel.
Sheikh Obaid bin Thani House
Sheikh Obaid bin Thani House
Situated in the Shindagha area in close proximity to the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, this landmark was constructed in 1916. This house is built out of mud and stone with ancient type of facades, windows and doors. The house is being converted into a museum.
Visiting Hours
Saturday to Thursday : 08:00-20:30 daily
Friday: 15:30-21:30
Ramadan:
Saturday - Thursday: 09:00-17:00
Friday: 14:00-17:00
Telephone: 04-3937139
Bait Al Wakeel
Constructed in 1934 by the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, this was the foremost office building in Dubai. The building was restored in 1995 and is a superb place to be visited during Dubai travel.
Heritage Village and Diving Village
Located near the mouth of the Dubai creek is a traditional heritage village in the Shindagha district. It has exhibits of pearl diving and features weavers and potters practicing traditional crafts. This is a place where visitors can experience Dubai’s heritage and culture while visiting Dubai.
Visiting Hours
Saturday to Thursday: 08:00-22:00
Friday: 08:00-11:00 and 16:00-22:00
Ramadan: Saturday- Thursday: 21:00-24:00
Telephone: 04-3937151
Al Ahmadiya School
Al Ahmadiya School
The school was set up in 1912 and was the first regular school in Dubai. This school is located in the Al-Ras area of Deira. The building was renovated in 1995 and is used as an education museum which must be seen during your travel to Dubai.
Visiting Hours
08:00-20:30 daily
Friday: 15:30-21:30
Ramadan: Saturday - Thursday: 09:00-17:00
Friday: 14:00-17:00
Telephone: 04-3937139
Heritage House
New parts were added to this building in recent years. Older parts of the house dates back to the 1890s. This is a big court yard type of house which must be seen during your Dubai travel. It has over 10 rooms and a wind tower in the shape of a rectangle.
Visiting Hours
Saturday to Thursday: 08:00 - 19:30
Friday: 14:30 - 19:30
Ramadan: Saturday- Thursday: 09:00 -16:30
Telephone: 04-2260286
Majlis Umm-Al Sheif
Majlis Umm-Al Sheif
Built as a summer retreat for the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum in 1955, the building is situated near the sea in the Jumeirah area and has a falaj irrigation system and a traditional palm tree garden. This is a must see place during your travel to Dubai.
Visiting Hours
Saturday to Thursday : 08:30-13:30and 15:30-20:30
Friday: 13:30-20:30
Ramadan: Saturday- Thursday: 09:00-24:00
Telephone: 3946343
Bur Dubai Creekside
While traveling to Dubai, you’ll see that the main panorama of the old city is provided by the buildings on the Bur Dubai side of the creek. Some of the olden structures of these buildings have been brought back to their original state, with screens, nice gypsum panels etc.
Old Souks
During your visit to Dubai, you must see the old souks. Bur Dubai and Deira souks are currently under restoration for highlighting the commercial and historical roots of the city. Both markets have old type of shops and are covered with traditional materials and roofing.
Archaeological Sites
Al Qusais, Jumeirah, Al Sufooh and Hatta are the 4 main excavation sites of Dubai which must be visited during your Dubai travel. The Jumeirah site has display items which date back to the 7th to 15th centuries AD. However these places are not allowed for visitors. Tour operators and tourists can get a special permit from Dubai Museum to see the sites.
Roundhouse
This landmark house is a must see during your visit to Dubai. This can be seen on Dubai’s Beach road in the area of former ruler H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum’s office.