Majestic Monuments in Dubai

Dubai Museum

In 1799 when built Al Fahidi Fort was believed to be the oldest building in Dubai.  It was built to defend the city from foreign invasion. The fort is now converted into Dubai Museum,  where you can experience Dubai’s heritage and rich culture since its inception in 1971. At the entrance, you find the majestic collection of old maps of the Gulf region and the Emirates, showcasing the urban expansion of Dubai from 1960 to 1980. Dubai Museum offers an exceptional trip to desert life, traditional Arabian homes, mosques, fishing, pearl diving, trade etc. Among the highlights that can be witnessed in the museum are artefacts such as old weaponry and musical instruments made of goatskin.

Grand Mosque

Located near the Ruler’s Court on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek, the Grand Mosque was constructed in 1900 and was rebuilt in 1998 with the traditional Islamic architectural design. Now at 70 meters, it is the city’s tallest minaret. It has 45 small domes. Although non-Muslims are not permitted to go inside the mosque. 1,200 worshippers can perform their Namaz at a time here.

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House (Museum, Port Rashid, Dubai)

Saeed Al Maktoum House is a historic building and former residential quarters of Dubai’s ruler, Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum. The building is located along the Dubai Creek in Al Shindagha. It was built in 1894 as the base of the Al Maktoum family. At present, it is now a museum that houses artefacts and images of old Dubai, it showcases the history and development of Dubai.

Burj Al Arab

Burj Al Arab, a five-star hotel and often regarded as the only seven-star hotel in the world, is built on an artificial island, 280 m (920 ft) offshore, with a sail-shaped building design that has a height of 321 meters (1,050 ft). It is the second tallest building in the world used exclusively as a hotel. It is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai's urban transformation and to imitate the sail of a boat.

Jumeirah Archeological site

At the Jumeirah Archaeological Site, you can see the ruins and artefacts from 6th Century AD. Remains from the site link it to the 3rd-6th centuries AD when the Persian Sassanid Empire conquered and the Umayyad Dynasty in the 7th century when Islam arrived in the Gulf.

The area was once the centre of trade and commercial life, as it was positioned near a trading route utilized by merchants who were travelling between Oman and Iraq. The remains visible at the Jumeirah site include ruins of stone walls and ancient houses, including the residence of a former governor. This archaeological site is surrounded by private homes and modern villas, is one of the densely populated residential areas in Dubai.

Burj Nahar

The year 1870 marked the foundation of Burj Nahar. Three watchtowers guard the city of Dubai. Burj Nahar is one of the three-watch towers, positioned in Deira. It is a must-see destination, you can see scenic gardens and exotic surroundings that offer the perfect backdrop for photographers and tourists.  

Heritage House

Built in1890 and restored in 1994, the Heritage House is the rich pearl merchants’ house. Visitors are offered a traditional Emirati snack such as chick-peas and tea. The house is patterned after an old bastakiya building, built from coral and gypsum. It consists of two floors. You can see the majlis (the area in the house intended for receiving guests), as well as the main living room.

These are just a few among the marvellous sights you will enjoy when you go to Dubai. There are still other tourist attractions that you must catch glimpses of!