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 | Dubai Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 610 |  |
Popular Things To Do | Miscellaneous Things To Do Tips | All Tips (610)  | |  |  | Bastakia Quarter | Tip Rating:  |  |  | |  |
For a glimpse of old Dubai, take a wander through the atmospheric lanes of the Bastakia Quarter. This area was built in the late 19th century by Persian merchants, and these days the buildings have been beautifully restored and are now part of a conservation area. The Bastakia Quarter is home to the largest concentration of traditional wind-tower houses. The wind-towers were not only decorative, but were an ingenious means of cooling houses in the days before electricity, as they funnel cool air down into the house. The typical homes are two stories, with a central courtyard that most of the rooms open onto. They are fairly plain on the outside, but look out for the carved wooden doors and decorative panels on the wealthier merchants homes. The are a few interesting galleries in the area, and if you need a break and want to have a look inside the courtyard of one of the traditional homes, head to the Basta Art Café, where you can relax with a drink or a meal in the shady courtyard. Leave a Comment Directions: By the river in Bur Dubai, just south of the Grand Mosque
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| | | | An easy & quick way to see the city: Big Bus | Tip Rating: | | | | |
If you don't have the time for a full-day city tour, or if you have wisely decided that your suicidal tendencies aren't sufficiently strong to evoke the need to hire a car & drive in Dubai's crazy traffic, the Big Bus Tour is a convenient & safe alternative to see the city. I know plenty of VT-members that have spent a few interesting transit-hours in our city on this bus. You can hop-on & off at your leisure (tickets are valid for 24 hours). Tours operate daily between 09:00am - 05:00pm. PRICES (year 2008): Adults: AED 175.- Children (aged 55.- (2 adults & 2 Children) (1 US $ = 3.67 AED / Dirhams) One ticket covers 2 routes: If you want to see the "real Dubai" & best sights, I recommend the Red Route, which includes the Dubai Creek, Al Fahidi Fort & Dubai Museum, the Souks (bazaars) and a few shopping malls. The Blue Route covers mostly the 5-star hotels & fanciest shopping malls. I guess this tour is useful if you want to take a lot of pictures for "showing off" later ;-) Free Walking Tour: (October - April only!) STARTS: Al Fahidi Fort (Dubai Museum) Stop 3. FINISHES: Dubai Gold Souk stop 6 (where you rejoin your tour). Free Dhow Creek Cruise: Daily from Abra Station (stop 7) at 11:30am, 01:30pm, 03:30pm and 05:30pm. The only disadvantage is that the guide doesn't focus much on the sights, but also uses every free minute to lure you into the *Dubai Propaganda*: "we have the tallest tower, and you can buy property here. The biggest man-made islands, and you can now buy property in Dubai! The richest people, the best this, the fanciest that, and did I mention that you can buy property here?" I find this quite annoying, feeling like you've signed-up in a timeshare-marketing-ploy or similar. By the end of this brainwashing-tour you may find yourself believing that Dubai camels actually eject gold nuggets & not some kind of smelly mass. Hang on... of course that's ridiculous. But I guess there really *are* diamonds in the coconuts up there? haha! Leave a Comment Address: The Bus leaves from Wafi City Mall, DubaiPhone: +971-4-340 7709Directions: Wafi City Mall is located next to the Raffles Hotel & the Grand Hyatt Hotel.Website: http://www.bigbustours.com/ Other Contact: Fax: +971-4-324 8116
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Located just across the road from the Dubai Museum is the Grand Mosque. The original Grand Mosque, which dated back to 1900 is long gone, and the current version was only completed in 1998. It was however modelled on the original mosque, and blends well into this old bar of the city. The Grand Mosque is home to the tallest minaret in Dubai, at 70 metres high. The mosque has 45 small domes, plus 9 large ones with stained glass panels. With a capacity of over 1000 worshippers, this is indeed a Grand Mosque. Unfortunately we were unable to have a look inside, as non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the mosque. Leave a Comment Address: Al-Fahidi Street, Bur Dubai
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| | | | Shopping Malls | Tip Rating: | | | | |
One of the most popular things for tourists to do in Dubai is to shop. The city is home to some massive shopping malls that can keep you busy for a full day - with not only shopping, but things like dining, movies and even snow skiing! We visited three of the large malls - The Mall of Emirates (with its indoor snow field), Wafi City (with its over-the-top Egyptian décor), and Deira City Centre (with its 1 hour+ taxi queue). We found many of the clothing shops that we frequent in London, with much the same prices too, along with plenty of designer shops, and a lesser number with a more local flavour. One thing I did note about the clothes in shops that I regularly visit was that the styles on offer here were a noticeably 'fuller' cut, and the materials were more garish (to my taste anyway), hence not many purchases were made. The large shopping malls are open 7 days from around 10am till 10pm or midnight, depending on the day. I can imagine they are very popular air conditioned havens in the hotter months summer. I have written more about the malls we visited in my 'Shopping' tips. Leave a Comment Website: http://www.dubaicityguide.com/shop/
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When Dubai is mentioned, many people think of the iconic Burj Al Arab - the hotel built out on a spit in the Gulf, that looks like a giant sail. The Burj claims to be "The Best Hotel in the World", and has given itself 7 stars. It is the world's tallest dedicated hotel, and all 202 of its suites and two-storey, with unbeatable views. If you think the outside looks impressive, wait till you get inside - the "ostentatious opulence will leave you reeling" (to steal a quote from my Guide book). The lower lobby area has a dancing fountain, and two massive tropical fish-tank-walls. Ride up the escalator into the main lobby area, looking up as you do into the soaring atrium, with its over-the-top gold and blue décor. Then look down at the garish carpet that clashes terribly, but somehow works amongst the other gaudy appointments. To get up close to the Burj Al Arab, you need to either be staying there, or have an advance reservation to dine in one of the restaurants, or to have a drink in one of the bars. As you can imagine, dining doesn't come cheap here, so one of the more economical options is to go for afternoon tea. Booking a few weeks in advance, the only afternoon tea slot available was at 5.30pm in the Sahn Eddar Atrium Bar, located off the hotel's lobby. We arrived by taxi, and as we came to the hotel gates, on the mainland, the guard requested to see our booking confirmation. We were then waved through, drove along the spit, and were dropped off at the front door. We arrived early, which gave us plenty of time for taking photos outside, and then inside the lobby area. Photos are allowed in the lobby area, but not in any of the bars or restaurants to protect the privacy of the exclusive guests. Although the afternoon tea was not at the standard one would imagine from a 7 star hotel, it was well worth it to gain admittance to this architectural marvel. Leave a Comment Address: Jumeirah Road, Umm Suqeim, DubaiPhone: +971 4 3017600Website: http://www.burj-al-arab.com
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| | | | The pulsing heart of old Dubai - The Textile Souk | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
Souk is the Arabic word for Market. The city's famous souks have attracted merchants from as far as India, Iran, Africa and beyond since the late 19th century. With Dubai being a trading hub for gorgeous materials from the subcontinent, it makes perfect sense to buy by the yard & tailor the style of your favourite garment. From cotton to silk, chequered lumberjack to beautiful Indian Sari, lace & netting, Pashmina Shawls, it's all here. This is the Textile Souk, where you can see exquisite fabrics to suit every taste and wander around the small winding alleys enjoying the historic sights & sounds. After all: "Bur Dubai" means "old Dubai". --> (Also see my Tourist Trap Tip on Pashmina Shawls!) More than shopping, I enjoy walking around the souk because it's one of the simpler, more "basic" & traditional parts of the city. And even though the Textile Souk recently received a major overhaul & restoration, it's still a lot more traditional & down-to-earth than shiny, cold & modern malls (and a lot cheaper, too). I have bought curtain material, fashion jewellery & also an Indian Saree here (see photo). I just love ending a busy day of shopping with a Mint Tea and a Sheesha in one of the small restaurants, watching the creek and the city's life pulsating around it. TIP: Don't forget to bargain; don't accept the 1st price & be sure to compare prices. If you find that you need more cash (very possible) there are ATM machines and a Thomas Cook exchange bureau. TIP: Women should please make sure their legs & shoulders are covered. The Souks are male-dominated areas where every bit of female skin is gawked at. Some men will even follow "indecently" dressed women around, believing they are prostitutes. The heart of every shopper & every photographer will gasp with joy when entering the souk along the historic creek. Don't miss it! Opening Hours: Saturdays - Thursdays 09:00am-01:00pm & 04:00-10:00pm. Fridays 04:00pm-10:00pm NOTE: The main walkway is open to the elements, only the individual shops have air-conditioning. Therefore, only visit the souks after sunset during the summer. (Cross the creek & explore the Gold Souk on the opposite shore as well!) Leave a Comment Address: Al Fahidi Street, Bur Dubai (near Dubai Museum)Directions: Avoid taking a car, as parking is a nightmare & the one-way road is guaranteed to be congested with taxis, pedestrians & cyclists. It's best to go down to the Creek by taxi, or take an "Abra" (water taxi). The trip takes 10 min and costs 1 Dirham.
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| | | | "City of Gold" - the famous Gold Souk | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Souk is the Arabic word for market. Even today "Dhows" (wooden cargo ships) from the Far East, China & India discharge their goods at the docks adjacent to the Souks. I'm no great fan of jewellery (isn't my fiance lucky!) but a trip to the Gold Souk truly demonstrates why Dubai has earned itself the title of "City Of Gold". It's worth a visit even if you have no intention of buying, just to soak in the atmosphere of more than 300 shops glinting with 18, 21 & 22 carat gold, showing-off the abundant riches of the region. Gold is aggressively promoted with special offers & raffle draws during Dubai Shopping Festival & Dubai Summer Surprises. Many different shades of gold are available: white, pink, yellow & even purple. There are also a few shops selling silver jewellery, semi-precious stones, diamonds & platinum. Prices here are among the lowest in the world (also lower than in the airport's Duty Free) & largely determined by weight; also depending on whether the piece is machine-made or by a craftsman. TIP: Don't forget to bargain; don't accept 1st price & be sure to compare the numerous shops. In the narroweside streets, enjoy a relaxing break with a cup of tea or Arabic coffee in small restaurants. These side-street shops offer souvenirs, jewel-studded belly-dancing belts, Local & Indian clothes & fabrics, coins for collectors, etc. TIP: Women should please make sure their legs & shoulders are covered. The Souks are male-dominated areas where every bit of female skin is gawked at. You may even find that some men will follow "indecently" dressed women around, believing they are prostitutes. UPDATE early 2008: There is now a WEBSITE for the Gold Souk. See below in the contact details! Opening Hours: Sat to Wed 10:00am-01:00pm & 05:00pm-10:00pm. Fridays: 05:00pm-10:00pm. NOTE: The main walkway is open to the elements, only the shops have air-conditioning. In summer, only visit after sunset. (Cross the creek & explore the Textile Souk on the opposite shore.) Leave a Comment Address: Deira (near Baniyas Square) Sikkat al-Khali StreetDirections: I never bother taking a car as parking is extremely scarce. It's best to go by taxi, or go down to the Creek side & take an "Abra" (water taxi). The trip takes 10 min & costs 1 Dirham.Website: http://www.dubaigoldsouk.com/
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| | | | The lifeline of Dubai - The Creek | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Dhow is the name for a long, flat sailing vessel that is found in the Indian Ocean along the east coast of Africa, the Arabian peninsula, Pakistan and India. They are basically wooden cargo ships of 30 to 130 feet that have plied the ancient trade routes of the Persian Gulf for millennia. They're built by hand using basic tools and are incredibly sturdy. Local trade in the Middle East is primarily by dhow. They can be seen unloading along the Creek, the historic heart of the city. There are also plenty of companies offering "Creek Cruises" for lunch or dinner. Some are cheesy, some are romantic, but all are memorable. Dubai's waterfront epitomizes the city's personality & no trip would be complete without a cruise along the 10km-long Creek is the best way to witness the clashing of the historically old & impressive modernity. The dhow wharf hasn't changed much in 1000 years, except that now some of the dhows haul refrigerators, electronics & car tyres instead of date honey and cattle. The best way to see the trading port is from the water. You can hire an Abra (water taxi). It costs 1 Dhs (Dirham) to cross the creek, or you can pay Dhs 10.- and have the entire Abra to youself. In March 2008, we paid 80 Dirhams for 3 of us to take a private tour all the way up & down the creek. Also take time to walk around the dhow wharfage on the Deira side, to the west of the abra dock to get a closer look at the hustle & bustle and the often hard life of the traders actually living on their dhows. Every day (especially in the winter months in the late afternoon) I see photographers walking along the Dhow wharfage, starting right next to the Chamber of Commerce, opposite the Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Bateaux Dubai (glass boat dinner cruise): http://www.bateauxdubai.com Leave a Comment Address: Creek, Dubai, U.A.E.Directions: Dhow Wharf: Baniyas Road, Deira (by Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel). Dhow Ship Yard: Al Jadaf (Bur Dubai side) near Garhoud Bridge.Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tp/14eddd/
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| | | | "1001 Nights" got a face lift... MADINAT JUMEIRAH | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Complete with artificial Venician canals & fake cobble stones, I must admit: even though it's pretentious beyond all belief - at least the Souk Madinat is a nice area to sit outside & enjoy the sunshine :-) This is basically the "up-market Version" of the original Dubai souks. It's like some foreign architect got his hands on the ancient bazaar-concept & forced it go undergo plastic surgery = it's pretty, but it's simply not the "real thing". The Madinat has become extremely popular with Dubai's "ladies that lunch" as well as party animals that enjoy the various bars & clubs. To reach various restaurants along the artificial waterway, the hotel offers complimentary boat rides on "Abras" (traditional water taxi). I much prefer the "real thing" on Dubai Creek, click here if you're interested: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tp/14d9ee. For the *least* amount of "Disneyland-feeling" I recommend visiting Souk Madinat after the sun has set: this is when the lights come on, the shadows & reflections distort from what is merely a copy of true Arabian heritage, and the whole architectural brilliance of the area is no longer merely bearable; its mystic beauty really shines under the camouflage of night. Paths lead visitors through a bazaar-like atmosphere with 75 open fronted shops. TOURIST TRAP WARNING: You'll see plenty of souveniers, pashmina shawls, posters & drawings, etc. for sale here. DON'T BUY! You can buy the exact same things for about 40% of the price in the Gold & Spice Souk, Textile Souk or Karama Shopping Strip. The ONLY shop that I would recommend for purchases is "Gallery One", a store selling regional art and beautiful black&white photographs of Dubai. This place is wonderful for taking memorable photographs & having a meal, but not for shopping. Some of the restaurants are licensed (= serve alcoholic beverages) and some are not. For a full list of the various eateries & all the stores, click here. I have also reviewed some of the resort's eateries in my "Restaurant Tips". Opening Hours: 7 days a week, 10:00am - 11:00pm Leave a Comment Address: Mina A'Salam, Madinat Jumeirah, DubaiPhone: 00971-4-366 8888Directions: next to Burj Al Arab, Umm Suqeim - Dubai. Sheikh Zayed Road, exit at Interchange No. 4 (Dubai Police College)Website: http://www.madinatjumeirah.com/shopping/ Other Contact: or 00971-4-366 6546
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| | | | Desert Tour - Dune Bashing with the professionals | Tip Rating: | | | | |
My mother is a tour guide and whe usually gives me some "insider information". Understandibly, with the recent boom in tourism there's a lot of work for her! Most tour operators organize an pretty exciting variety of excursions & tours around the Emirates & Oman, for large groups & invididuals, sight-seeing tours in the cities & even ocean cruises. Check with your tour operator to assist you with your choice of hotel, and also in case you need to apply for a visit visa. Most agencies run the "standard tourist programs", but prices tend to vary by quite a bit, so it pays to "shop around" & compare. Many tour operators offer Desert Safaris (only camera shots!) eiter for 1/2 days, full days or overnight stays with dinner & entertainment in their respective desert camps. If you get sick easily, bring travel-sickness tablets... it gets rough & bouncy! :-) A typical Desert Safari will start in the afternoon with some driving through the dunes & end at the respective organizer's desert camp where you will be treated to a buffet dinner, sand boarding, camel riding, music, drinks & belly dancing. For example: We have spent New Year's Eve and various other events at the SNTTA Camp & had a great time! (Don't worry: there are fully functional toilets with tiled floors & wash basins.) Here's a list of reputable tour operators: SNTTA Emir Tours: Tel +971-4-282 9000 http://www.sntta.com Arabian Adventures: (part of Emirates Airlines) Tel +971-4-303 4888 http://www.arabian-adventures.com Desert Adventures: Tel +971-4-224 2800 http://www.desertadventures.com Net Tours: Tel +971-4-266 6655 http://www.nettoursdubai.com Do you want to take the wheel into your own hands? Go on! Rent a 4x4 car & be daring! Click here for info & safety tips: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tp/15d13d/ --> A great provider of various tour operators & desert experience packages is: BLUE BANANA ARABIA.COM Leave a Comment Directions: Want to see more pictures from my weekends in the desert? Click here: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/79f0e/#TLWebsite: http://www.dubaitourism.ae/
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on January 7, 2008
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on April 13, 2008
