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Dubai Area
Dubai is a flashy and fun city where you can shop to your heart's content, stroll down its charming old quarter, or simply enjoy the sun and the sand which it is known for. Formerly a tranquil town filled with the small homes of Persian traders and Bedouin fisherman, Dubai has transformed itself into a world-class city with it's stunning skyscrapers, golf courses, and impressive indoor facilities and malls.
Highlights of Dubai
- Bastakia Quarter
- Dubai Museum
- Burj Al Arab
- Heritage and Diving Village
- The Souks of Deira
Historical Sites
The Bastakia Quarter in Bur Dubai is one of Dubai's most picturesque heritage sites. Built in the late 19th century by Persian merchants, this area boasts charming narrow, winding streets and some beautifully restored buildings. Some highlights of the Bastakia Quarter are the Dubai Museum, the Al Fahidi Fort, and the Heritage and Diving Village (more information about these sites may be found further down in this section).
Dubai Museum
Built in 1799, The Dubai Museum was formerly known as the Al Fahidi Fort. Its original purpose was to defend Dubai against invasion and it is known as one of the oldest buildings in the city. Restored in 1993, the old fort now houses the museum and offers some fascinating insight into the city's heritage and culture.
Heritage and Diving Village
A great place to get a feel for the day to day life of the people in Dubai's past, the Heritage and Diving Village offers a living museum experience with people demonstrating pottery, weaving and other crafts performed in the manner that was once typical to the area. The Heritage and Diving Village also explores the history of Dubai's pearling industry.
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House
Formerly the home of Dubai's ruler from 1912-1958, Sheick Saeed Al Maktoum, this house has now been converted into a museum housing collections of historic photographs, coins, stamps, and other documents.
Activities
Burj Al Arab
While Paris has the Eiffel Tower and London has Big Ben, Dubai's most recognizable landmark is the Burj Al Arab hotel. Standing majestically on a small man-made island, it looks more like a large sailboat than a hotel. Known for being one of the tallest hotels in the world, as well as for its 7 star service, The Burj Al Arab is truly breathtaking. Unfortunately, the price to spend the night here can also take your breath away, so if you don't want to spend all of your cash in one place, you might consider splurging on a dinner or just having a drink at the hotel to enjoy the atmosphere.
The Souks of Deira
Traditional Arab markets in Dubai are known as "souks”. These are typically lines of shops strung along narrow ally-ways that specialize in a certain item. Deira has a Gold Souk (Sikkat Al Khail Street), a Spice Souk (Al Ras Street), a Perfume Souk (Sikkat Al Khail Street), and a Covered Souk (Al Sabkha Road).
Ski Dubai
Opened in 2005, Ski Dubai is located inside the Mall of the Emirates. It is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East and offers 5 runs of varying difficulty, including the world's first indoor black run.
The Dubai Autodrome
For those interested in motor sports, a visit to the Dubai Autodrome is a must. Not only does the Autodrome host both international and regional racing events, but there is also an indoor karting track that is about 0.8 km long with challenging hairpin turns for those who are up for it. The centre is open 7 days a week, but if you are interested in going karting, it's best to avoid the weekends as it can get busy.
Golf
Dubai has 7 golf courses and is host to the Dubai Desert Classic, which is part of the European PGA Tour. Due to the hot climate, and the need for large quantities of desalinated water to keep the courses green, the price to play golf in Dubai can be a bit on the steep side. That being said, the courses are still extremely busy and if you are interested in playing, advance booking is recommended. Please be aware that you must show a handicap card to be eligible to play.
Wild Wadi Water Park
To excape the heat, spend a day at the Wild Wadi Water Park. This Arabian Themed water park is spread-out over 12 acres and offers 30 rides and attractions as well as a wide variety of restaurants. Since most of the rides are interconnected, riders can move from one ride to the next without ever leaving the water. Some of the highlights of the park include: Master Blasters, Wave pools, River Rides, Water sound and light shows, as well as the tallest free fall speed slide outside the USA.
Places to Stay
Hostels
There are a wide variety of hostels in Dubai. To search for hostels online with full descriptions, photos and availability information, please access the following link: http://reservations.bookhostels.com/isecard.com/. The $2 reservation fee will be waived when booking through this site.
Places to Eat
There are a number of places to eat in Dubai, but most visitors tend to dine in hotels due to the alcohol regulations. There are usually a number of restaurants in each hotel and reservations are recommended.
Al Mahara
The dining experience at the Burj Al Arab's signature restaurant begins with a mock submarine ride to the dining area. Once there, patrons are seated around a huge, floor-to-ceiling aquarium. The great food and service are reflected in the prices, but it is a nice way to enjoy the hotel and "splurge” without actually staying there.
Getting Around
Getting around Dubai by car can be a real headache as there is a lot of traffic. Construction of the Dubai Metro, new bridges, ferries, and trams should help alleviate this problem and make it easier for visitors to get around.
Car
Alamo Rent A Car offers special rates of 15% off to ISE Cardholders. Mention Code BY ID#: 706768 when reserving your car and don't forget to present your ISE Card. Call 34 93 305 61 53 if you would like to hire a car.
Moving On
Air
The Dubai International Airport handles the majority of international flights. There are plenty of cars or taxis for those needing a lift into the city center.
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