Don’t Miss These 5 Cultural Hotspots On Your Next Trip To Dubai

With the rapid development of Dubai as a major business centre, the emirate in no time became home to scores of expats from around the world. Over the years the city became known for its innovative, futuristically designed, gleaming skyscrapers, and magnificent views. This unique city has an also undiscovered cultural side, seeded with rich heritage and history. Experience it in these 5 hotspots on your next visit to Dubai.

Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

If you would like to see what the city was like before oil that brought in unprecedented wealth was discovered here and transformed Dubai into the glamourous and popular tourist destination it is today, you should visit the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. This area located in Bur Dubai will take you back in time. Once an important administrative and commercial district, the locality now offers a glimpse into the Dubai of the late 19th and early 20th century.

Get ready to go on an excursion down UAE’s history books by exploring this perfectly restored heritage area, whose meandering lanes are flanked by houses in the shade of the desert. Discover traditional architecture as you navigate the winding alleys and sunlit squares. The area is bustling with several museums, exhibitions and cultural activities, and it’s always worth checking if there are any special events taking place during your visit as Al Fahidi hosts numerous cultural events throughout the year, such as the Sikka Art Fair and Heritage Week. You’ll find plenty of traditional teahouses and cafes where you can sit back and absorb the old-school ambience.

Textile Souk

No trip to Dubai would be complete without visiting one of its vibrant souks. The Textile Souk in Bur Dubai is the perfect place to shop for a range of fabrics including silks, cottons and prints, or just want to soak in the colourful surroundings. Here, you can browse through hundreds of reels of raw and embroidered fabrics in a dizzying array of colours and textures. There are also plenty of ready-made outfits available from local artisans and designers. In addition to textiles, you’ll also find a plethora of laces, sequins, buttons, stones and other such accessories to help you add a touch of Arabian flair to your wardrobe.

Grand Mosque

The Grand Mosque, just a short walk from the Textile Souk in Bur Dubai, boasts of having the tallest minaret in the whole of Dubai. Built in the traditional Islamic style, this stunning mosque forms the hub of Dubai’s religious life. Laced with blue mosaic and intricate geometric carvings, it’s an architectural masterpiece, but it is after dark that most people visit it to click photos of the spectacularly lit structure making it the most photographed mosque in Dubai.

Very close to it is the Imam Ali Mosque, commonly known as the Iranian Mosque. Founded by the local Iranian community and ornately designed in the traditional Fatimid and Persian style, this mosque too is a real architectural delight.

Dubai being a melting pot of cultures, is also home to a large Hindu community. It was in 1958 that the only Hindu temple in the emirate was built above the labyrinth of old shops in the Bur Dubai Old Souk. It still welcomes devotees and visitors from all over the world.

Dubai Creek

Dubai is a place where the old meets the new. And just as it is a place where you will find the choicest of fast cars, it is also a place where you can hop aboard the traditional wooden boats called Abras that ferry passengers between Bur Dubai and Deira. These traditional boats are very cheap (only AED1 each way!) and offer the perfect way to experience the historic, bustling Dubai Creek.

Once you arrive in Deira, head to the famous Spice Souk to immerse yourself in a rich landscape of colours and aromas from the farthest corners of the globe. Whether you’re a great cook or looking to experiment a bit in your kitchen, you’ll discover many new tastes at the Spice Souk – along with a great selection of nuts, oils and saffron.

Al Shindagha Museum

Set on the shore of the Creek, Al Shindagha is a historical neighbourhood where the then ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, resided from 1912 to 1958. The Al Shindagha Museum celebrates Dubai’s remarkable history and wider heritage of Emirati culture. The museum hosts the ‘Story of the Creek’ – a stunning multimedia experience that charts how modern Dubai took shape on the banks of the Creek.

Afterwards, stop by and allow your senses to be stimulated and enchanted at the Perfume House, where you can learn about traditional Emirati scented oils and exotic perfumes that date back centuries. Visitors can go on an aromatic journey as they discover ancient traditions and the role they play in religious and cultural life.

The only way to make any voyage unforgettable and unique is to absorb the local culture of each destination by seeking out local people, places, trails, activities and flavours. So, on your next trip to Dubai, get off the beaten track, and explore the true essence of this culture-rich city that the emiratis are forever more than happy to share.

Disclaimer: This article has been produced on behalf of Dubai Tourism by Mediawire team.