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Dubai Attractions:
Sightseeing
spots in Dubai...!
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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 encompasses, 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:
Having expanded along both
banks of the Creek,

Aero gulf Services
Aero gulf Services is
located at Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates and in as
November 2003 Aero gulf moved into our new purpose built helicopter
operations and maintenance facility located on Dubai International
Airport, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Contact Aero gulf Services -
Tel: 2200331 |
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Al Boom Tourist Village Adjacent to
Creek side 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
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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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
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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) |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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