Dubai Heritage Highlights

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Connect with Dubai's heritage on a unique desert adventure

Follow in the footsteps of the Bedouin in Dubai, experiencing life in the Arabian desert over a century ago. Visitors can learn more about the oldest inhabitants of the UAE with the immersive Al Marmoom Bedouin Experience, where you'll rediscover the emirate's heritage and secrets of the desert.

Dubai Camel Race Track

Deep in the Dubai desert sands at Al Marmoom Camel Race Track, you can find a modern-day version of the old tradition of camel racing. A pastime that originated in the region, it still has a whole community of avid local followers. Dubai’s biggest camel race track is located next to Al Marmoom Heritage Village and the Al Lisaili area.

From the grandstand, you can be a part of this heart-pumping, crowd-cheering sport that has been integral to Emirati life for centuries. Once the gates open, the race is on, and so is an experience like no other. Watch as 60 camels flood from the gates, legs flying in all directions, making their way as fast as they can down the track. Trainers and owners follow in 4X4s, controlling the robot jockeys atop each camel by remote and egging on their camels to the finish line via loudspeakers.

Traverse Dubai Creek on a traditional abra boat

The bustling Dubai Creek has been the lifeblood of the city for generations and continues to attract visitors year-round. For just AED1 (US$0.27), you can hop aboard one of many traditional boats, known as abras, to cross the creek that separates Bur Dubai from Deira, Dubai’s city centre. The abras, or ‘water taxis’ run every few minutes throughout the day across four stations along Dubai Creek.  Every crossing on the now-motorised boats only takes about five minutes. Simply buy a one-way ticket, or you can even hire your own abra for an hour to explore further up the waterway.

Shop for gold ornaments and gemstones in Dubai

A trip to Dubai isn't complete without a trip to the famous Gold Souk, one of the oldest and most fascinating traditional markets in the emirate. Whether you’re just browsing, or genuinely on the hunt for even the slightest amount of precious gold, walk through the glittering Gold Souk to find designs from around the world crafted in a variety of carats.

Spice up your Dubai experience at this vibrant bazaar

Dubai’s Spice Souk is a colourful, aromatic and sensory experience. Discover new flavours and recipes as you explore the traditional spice market in Dubai's heritage area. Savour the atmosphere of the past as you are introduced to the mounds of aromatic herbs and spices, all spilling from large baskets at every turn. Wander among many different stalls and chat to the vendors who will give you plenty of ideas on how you can use the exotic spices on offer.

Awaken your senses with a variety of fragrances

Follow your nose to the Perfume Souk and you will discover new aromas before you even arrive. Fragrance is a key hallmark of Arabian life, represented by the exotic array of scents you’ll pick up wherever you go. Some are mild, others more evident, while some are particularly potent – but each one will draw you in with a natural sense of inquisition as you decide which one is right for you.

Catch a glimpse of Dubai's rich history

Set along the historic waters of Dubai Creek, Al Shindagha Museum tells the proud story of the nation’s past and reverent traditions. Discover the UAE's rich heritage and traditions at the museums's many pavilions. 'Dubai Creek: Birth of a City' is a state-of-the-art multimedia experience that guides visitors through the area’s dramatic development over centuries, while the Perfume House showcases the legacy of Emirati fragrances.

Celebrate the lives and achievements of women in the UAE

Located near Deira's Gold Souk, Bait Al Banat – which means The Girls’ House in Arabic – Women's Museum is one of Dubai’s most fascinating cultural sights offering an insight into the history of Emirati women and their role in the country’s development. Rich exhibits cover the lives of individual women, from artists to activists and scholars. These displays give visitors a deep understanding of their subjects’ work, their thoughts, and how they lived, via images, interviews and personal items, letters and diaries.

Admire thousands of perfect pearls on display

Before the discovery of oil, pearls were the biggest cash crop in the Gulf, whose warm, shallow waters produced some of the world’s finest. Thanks to the foresight and generosity of Ali Bin Abdullah Al Owais a prominent pearl trader in the 1940s and 50s and his son, Sultan Al Owais, you can see many of these exquisite natural wonders on display at the Emirates NBD Pearl Museum.

Explore Dubai's culture, heritage and architecture at Al Fahidi

Discover what life in Old Dubai was like, during the mid-19th century at Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. Located along the Dubai Creek, this district is a key heritage site with much of the original infrastructure preserved and intact. The traditional wind towers constructed from stone, teak, gypsum, palm wood and sandalwood represent only a small part of Al Fahidi’s history.

Enjoy tea and treats in one of Dubai's oldest neighbourhoods

If you fancy a spot of tea while wandering around the historic Al Fahidi district, or in leafy Jumeirah, look no further. Find a selection of sandwiches, pastries, salads and desserts to go with your tea of choice, as you soak up the sounds of rustling trees and birds in this leafy courtyard. Arabian Tea House offers more than 150 different types of tea, including mint lemonade, or a house blend of black tea with herbs and fruit.

Uncover the history of coffee and sample fresh brews

Coffee has always been an important part of Arabic culture, and the Coffee Museum in Dubai showcases exactly why. The museum is located in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, among many other treasures hidden inside the narrow lanes of the old district. Stop by to discover the origin of coffee, dating all the way back to the legend of Kaldi.

Learn about Dubai's cultural past and present

Gain a greater appreciation of Dubai’s culture and customs at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). Since opening in 1998, the SMCCU has been helping visitors get a better understanding of the culture and customs of the UAE. The centre invites visitors to take part in a range of activities including Arabic classes, heritage tours and guided mosque visits. Seeing the location itself is worth the visit – it’s a beautifully restored wind tower house in the historic Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.

Mix some souk shopping with chic cafés on Dubai Creek

Al Seef is one of Dubai's most popular leisure districts, situated directly on the bustling Dubai Creek. The popular destination offers a charming atmosphere that pays homage to the UAE’s distinct heritage. A neighbourhood steeped in history, Al Seef is the place for visitors looking to shop, dine and stay. Every building façade in Al Seef has been given an old school makeover to take you back to Dubai's past, from the shopping stalls right down to Starbucks, and the effect is simply delightful.

A museum dedicated to preserving the heritage of the UAE

Discover the contemporary history of the United Arab Emirates at Dubai’s latest cultural offering – the Etihad Museum. In a magnificent new building located in Jumeirah, the museum offers a series of interactive pavilions where visitors can explore the UAE’s history. Through photos, films and more, see how the country has developed through the years, especially between 1968 and 1974.

See the historic site where the UAE was proclaimed a nation

The UAE stands for United Arab Emirates - and on 2 December 1971, the documents were signed that created the Arab world's historic federation of states. See where this historical agreement took place by visiting the Union House. It is also the former office of His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, where you can follow a tour that takes you around this property.

Gain insights into Islamic culture at Jumeirah Mosque

Jumeirah Mosque is one of the most iconic landmarks in Dubai. Adopting an ‘Open Doors, Open Minds’ policy, the mosque welcomes visitors of all faiths to admire the surroundings and learn about Islam and the local culture. The Jumeirah Mosque, which is large enough to hold over 1,200 worshippers, was built entirely from white stone in the medieval Fatimid tradition, with towering twin minarets framing a large central dome. When it's lit up at dusk, the intricate artistry and beauty are highlighted.

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