| Car Rental Dubai Airport | | | | Address: Al Faheidi Fort |
| Dubai is evolving at a remarkable pace and has left its | | | | Telephone: (0)4 353 1862 |
| modest history as a fishing port far behind. Yet in | | | | Opening time: Saturday to Thursday 8.30am to 8.30pm, |
| between the ultra-modern skyscrapers and endless | | | | Friday 2.30pm to 8.30pm |
| construction sites, there are quite a few attractions of | | | | Admission: Dhs7 |
| historical interest such as the Bastakiya district and the | | | | Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum Museum |
| various souks. | | | | Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum's house dates back to the |
| Other attractions center on Dubai's defining | | | | 19th century, and was built for Dubai's ruler with |
| geophysical features: the desert offers adventure | | | | commanding views over the sea. It is one of the oldest |
| touring, rock climbing and photography, while the | | | | residences in the city and has been restored as a |
| coastline offers a plethora of water sports. | | | | museum exhibiting historical photographs and artefacts |
| Dubai is not really suitable for exploring on foot. | | | | showcasing Dubai's history and development. Its |
| Attractions tend to be far apart and the year-round | | | | architecture is also a fine example of the regional style |
| heat - reaching inferno proportions in summer - will turn | | | | with its wind towers and central courtyard, teak wood |
| your walk into an ordeal. Better options are to hire a | | | | doors and windows and wooden lattice screens. |
| taxi and driver for the day, join an organised tour, or | | | | Address: Al-Shindagha Rd |
| rent a car and enjoy the inexpensive local gasoline | | | | Telephone: (0)4 393 7139 |
| while taking in the sights. | | | | Opening time: Saturday to Thursday 8am to 8.30pm, |
| Bastakiya | | | | Friday 3.30pm to 8.30pm |
| The old Bastakiya district is a step back in time to the | | | | Admission: Dhs2 |
| days before electricity and air-conditioning, where | | | | Camel Racing |
| traditional courtyard houses were cooled by wind | | | | No visit to Dubai would be complete without a trip to |
| towers. Old Dubai was famous for its wind towers | | | | the races…the camel races. This is a traditional sport |
| that lined the Creek on both sides, and today the | | | | in the UAE and hugely popular among local Emiratis |
| narrow lanes festooned with the distinctively Arabian | | | | who head to the race tracks early in the morning to |
| architecture is a popular historical attraction that has | | | | watch these magnificent animals. The racing season |
| been marked for tourist development. | | | | runs from September to March and race tracks can |
| Address: Bur Dubai | | | | be found in various locations around the Emirate and |
| Souks | | | | on the way to Abu Dhabi. In 2007 a brand new venue |
| The souks, or traditional markets, are popular with | | | | was built close to Nad Al Sheba racecourse and |
| bargain hunters as well as sightseers and | | | | races are held early on Thursday and Friday mornings. |
| photographers. The most famous is the Gold Souk, | | | | Address: Nad Al Sheba Race Course, Dubai |
| where the narrow streets are lined with shops selling | | | | Opening time: Thursday and Friday mornings. Call Nad |
| everything golden, from 24-carat bars to rings and | | | | Al Sheba for exact times. |
| elaborate necklaces, and all at low prices. The tiny | | | | Admission: Free |
| lanes of the traditional spice souk are scented with | | | | Bateaux Dubai Dinner Cruise |
| sacks of cinnamon, incense, spices, and dried fruit, | | | | The Bateaux Dubai Dinner Cruise provides visitors to |
| while the modern fish souk bustles with activity and is | | | | the Emirate with a unique and memorable way in |
| redolent with smells of a more unpleasant nature. At | | | | which to view the older part of Dubai. The two and a |
| the heart of the Bur Dubai souk lies Al Fahidi Street, | | | | half hour cruise departs from just beyond the Al |
| selling the latest electronics, photographic equipment | | | | Maktoum Bridge and makes its way along the Creek |
| and home appliances at competitive prices. Other | | | | past many of the city's most famous landmarks. |
| streets sell everything from materials and carpets to | | | | Guests can take advantage of unobstructed views |
| traditional coffee pots, loaves of unleavened bread | | | | thanks to the non-reflective glass surround and |
| and hubble-bubble pipes. | | | | extensive outside deck area. |
| Address: Both sides of the Creek, in Deira and Bur | | | | A four course a-la-carte meal is served during the |
| Dubai | | | | cruise (diners with specific dietary requirements are |
| Opening time: Daily 7am to 12pm and 5pm to 7pm; | | | | requested to arrange at the time of booking) and |
| Fridays 5pm to 7pm | | | | alcohol is available to purchase on board. Musical |
| Admission: Free | | | | entertainment is provided care of the Bateaux Dubai |
| Grand Mosque | | | | musicians and DJ. Booking is required in advance |
| Boasting the city's tallest minaret at 230 feet (70m), the | | | | through the reservation line. |
| Grand Mosque is a notable landmark with its | | | | Address: Dubai Creek (opposite the British Embassy) |
| multi-domed style and impressive size. It is an important | | | | Bur Dubai |
| place of worship and can accommodate up to 1,200 | | | | E-mail: Website: |
| worshippers inside. Non-Muslims are not permitted to | | | | Telephone: +971 4 399 4994 |
| enter the Mosque. | | | | Opening time: Boarding begins at 7:45pm. Departure |
| Address: Al Mussalla Road | | | | from dock 8:30pm |
| Jumeirah Mosque | | | | Admission: From 325 AED per person for 4-course |
| The Jumeirah Mosque is one of the most | | | | meal, welcome beverage and cruise. |
| photographed sights in Dubai. A fine example of | | | | Dubai Mall |
| modern Islamic architecture, this beautiful mosque is | | | | Opened in November 2008, Dubai Mall is the world's |
| also one of the city's largest, with a majestic dome | | | | largest shopping centre and is home to around twelve |
| and twin minarets, and is one of the few mosques | | | | hundred retailers. It is the size of more than fifty |
| open to non-Muslims for tours. | | | | football pitches and features an ice rink, a hotel, and is |
| Address: Al Jumeirah Road | | | | the gateway to the Burj Dubai; the tallest building in the |
| Telephone: (0)4 344 7755 | | | | world. The mall is home to a number of the world's |
| Opening time: Tours are on Thursday at 10am; tours | | | | best known stores including Bloomingdales, Marks and |
| are also available on Sundays at 10am in summer | | | | Spencer and Montblanc. Designers such as Stella |
| Admission: Tour fee: Dhs10 | | | | McCartney also have outlets in the complex and world |
| Dubai Museum | | | | famous jewellers Tiffany & Co. have a branch |
| The imposing 19th century Al Faheidi Fort houses the | | | | located there. No trip to Dubai would be complete |
| Dubai Museum, which has an impressive collection of | | | | without an outing to Dubai's latest shopping |
| military and cultural artefacts, as well as working | | | | spectacular. |
| models and life-size displays depicting various aspects | | | | Address: Financial Centre Road (Interchange 1), Dubai |
| of Dubai life such as the markets, an Islamic school, the | | | | E-mail: Website: |
| desert, Arab houses and Gulf marine life. One of the | | | | Telephone: (4) 437 3200 |
| most interesting exhibits shows the underwater world | | | | Transport: The Dubai Mall Shuttle Bus:The mall has 12 |
| of pearl-diving. The fort was built in 1799 to guard | | | | shuttle buses operating routes to the mall from a |
| Dubai from landward approaches, and was once the | | | | number hotels in and around Dubai. Check website for |
| residence of the city's rulers as well as the seat of | | | | details. |
| government until 1971. | | | | |