Middle-East Travel Guides

Points of interest

Jumeirah Beach Park

This lovely grassy park adjoins Jumeirah Beach. It has walkways, kiosks, barbecue pits, picnic tables and a children's play area. The long stretch of beach is clean, lined with shady palm trees, and regularly patrolled by lifeguards. The women's only day is an opportunity for the ladies to get a tan.

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Grand Mosque

This multidomed mosque boasts the city's tallest minaret. The mosque might appear to be a beautiful example of restoration work, but it was in fact built in the 1990s. As well as being the centre of Dubai's religious and cultural life, the original mosque was also home to the town's kuttab (Quranic school) where children learnt to recite the Quran.

Maintaining the style of the original Grand Mosque, which dated from 1900 and was knocked down to make way for another mosque in 1960, its sand-coloured walls and wooden shutters blend in perfectly with the surrounding old quarter of Bur Dubai.

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Deira Spice Souq

This small but atmospheric souq was the largest in the region at the start of the 20th century. Take in the wonderfully restored wind-tower architecture and pungent aromas from jute sacks brimming with frankincense and oud, herbs and spices. It's fun to chat to the shopkeepers and guess the things you don't recognise.

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Jumeirah Archaeological Site

Built sometime in the 6th century AD, this township is the biggest and perhaps most significant archaeological site in the UAE. You'll see the remains of stone walls, a souq, houses and what is thought to have been a governor's palace. Objects found on the site, such as pottery and coins, are on display at Dubai Museum and the Heritage Village.

The settlement is interesting in that it spans the pre-Islamic and Islamic eras and was once a caravan stop on a route linking Ctesiphon (now Iraq) to northern Oman.

Remains from here link it with the Persian Sassanid empire, dominant in the region from the 3rd to 6th centuries AD, but wiped out by Arab tribes, and the Umayyad dynasty, with the coming of Islam in the 7th century.

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XVA

A peaceful retreat from the traffic chaos that's less than a block away, XVA is a contemporary art gallery, cafe and boutique hotel in a beautifully restored old courtyard residence. XVA holds regular exhibitions of art, sculpture and design, organises creek cruises with a difference and has a wonderful gift shop. This is what Dubai needs more of!

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Sheikh Saeed al-Maktoum House

Built in 1896, this was once the home of the ruling Al-Maktoum family. It was built using traditional methods, from coral coated with lime and plaster. Inside there's an interesting exhibition of photographs showing how little time it took for Dubai to go from a little fishing and pearling town to a big money, resort-style oil city.

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Boudoir

This decadent restaurant-cum-bar-cum-nightclub is where international celebrities play when in town. Its chic Parisian-brasserie-style - crystal chandeliers, sumptuous velvet padded booths, gilt-edged mirrors and heavy drapes - may seem odd in Dubai, but nobody cares when DJs like Stéphane Pompougnac spin chill-out beats; they just dance.

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Barasti Bar & Restaurant

This casual seaside bar is the locals' top spot for laid-back sundowners on a hot afternoon. It's the kind of place you don't have to dress up for, and can head to straight after a day at the beach. It even manages to maintain its laid-back air when a DJ is on the deck spinning chilled-out sounds for Dubai's body-conscious set.

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Skyview Bar

As drinks at the world's first 'seven star' hotel now tops most tourists' lists, it's essential to book ahead and take the cocktail and cold canapé package. (If you prefer wine and hot canapés, you'll pay extra!) Most people seem to think the bragging rights are worth it. Fortunately the dazzling views distract you from the surprisingly gaudy interior.

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Tagine

Tagine offers the best Moroccan experience in Dubai. After walking through the sheesha courtyard and past a classic Moroccan tiled fountain, you're ready for a trip to Fez or Marrakech. And this restaurant doesn't disappoint. From the fez-wearing waiters and classic harira soup to rich tagines and live musicians, it's the real deal. Book ahead.

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Chandelier

You'd be forgiven for thinking that Chandelier was the only restaurant around - to most Lebanese expats, it is! This stylish slice of Beirut is known for its excellent mezze, grilled haloumi cheese and tasty sausages, such as makanek (spicy Arabic sausage with tomato, garlic and onion sauce). Meals usually finish with a marathon sheesha session. Great fun.

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Al Mallah

A local favourite, the brightly lit Al Mallah sees waves of customers converge on its outdoor seating area, even when the thermometer is about to burst in summer. They're all here for the shwarmas, served either wrapped or as a plate, and a fresh juice. The other typical Lebanese fare on the menu is excellent too.

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Events

Religious holidays are tied to the lunar Islamic Hejira calendar, so dates vary from year to year on the Western Gregorian version, which runs on solar time. Eid al-Fitr (the end of Ramadan), Eid al-Adha (a celebration that follows Pilgrimage), Lailat al-Mi'raj (the Ascension of the Prophet), the Prophet's Birthday and the Islamic New Year are the main celebrations. Secular holidays include New Year's Day (1 January) and National Day (2 December). Keep in mind that Thursday and Friday make up the Dubai weekend.

Ramadan is the month during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, and you cannot eat, drink or smoke in public. Although it's highly unlikely, if a Muslim offers you tea or coffee during the daytime in Ramadan, politely refuse. Bars and pubs are closed until sunset each night, and some restaurants do not serve alcohol. At sundown, the feast begins. Bars and pubs are closed until 19:00 each night, and some restaurants do not serve alcohol. At sundown, the feast begins.

Dubai hosts two major tourist-oriented events during the year. The fiercely promoted Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is held from December to February. Shopping centres bust themselves to bring in the spenders. Entertainment for the kids, fireworks and free raffle tickets with every purchase are just part of the fun. The lower-key Dubai Summer Surprises (held from June to August) is designed, along with cheap hotel rates, to attract tourists during the summer slump. Surprises include displays of traditional culture, cooking demonstrations, art shows and more raffle tickets.

official holidays