Places to visit in

Dubai

Dubai Creek is the historic heart of Dubai, a natural saltwater inlet that shaped the city's development as a trading, pearling and fishing hub. For centuries the Creek linked the Arabian Gulf to inland markets, enabling trade with India, Persia and East Africa and laying the foundations for Dubai's growth into a regional trading port. The Creek area contains important heritage sites (traditional souks, wind-tower houses, and early merchant compounds) that illustrate Dubai's pre-oil culture and urban fabric.

Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood (Al Bastakiya) is one of Dubai's oldest traditional districts, dating to the late 19th century. Founded largely by Persian (Bastaki) merchants, the area preserves vernacular Gulf architecture—narrow wind-tower (barjeel) houses, courtyard homes, coral-stone walls and gypsum construction—and represents an important link to Dubai's pre-oil urban fabric and pearl-trading past. The quarter now functions as a living heritage zone and cultural hub that contrasts sharply with Dubai's modern skyline.

Al Seef sits along the southern bank of Dubai Creek and celebrates Dubai's maritime and trading roots. It blends restored traditional architecture with contemporary design to showcase the city's pearling, fishing and trading history. The area acts as a living heritage precinct that connects the old souks and historic Bastakiya district with modern urban waterfront life.

Dubai Gold Souk in Deira is one of the world's most famous traditional gold markets and a key part of Dubai's commercial history. Established as part of Dubai's transformation from a small trading port to an international trade hub, the souk concentrates hundreds of retailers selling gold, diamonds and precious gemstones. It showcases the emirate's long-standing role in regional trade, craftsmanship, and luxury retail. The market also contributes significantly to Dubai's tourist economy and reputation as a global jewellery trading centre.

Dubai Spice Souk (Deira Spice Souk) is a traditional marketplace that reflects Dubai's historical role as a trading hub on the Arabian Gulf. The souk preserves centuries-old merchant culture where spices, herbs and incense were imported via the Creek and overland routes, contributing to the city's multicultural commercial heritage and culinary traditions.

Textile Souk (Old Souk) in Bur Dubai sits on the western bank of Dubai Creek and represents the city’s historic role as a trading entrepôt. Before Dubai’s oil boom, the creek shoreline was the commercial heart where dhows from India, Persia and East Africa delivered goods—textiles being a major commodity. The souk showcases Dubai’s multicultural trading history and the continued influence of South Asian textiles and craftsmanship on the city’s retail landscape.

Etihad Museum is Dubai's dedicated museum to the founding of the United Arab Emirates. Located on the historic site of the Union House where the UAE's constitution was signed on 2 December 1971, the museum documents the political and social process that led to the federation of the seven emirates. It preserves original documents, photographs, and personal items associated with the UAE's Founding Fathers and explains the significance of the union in shaping modern UAE identity and governance.

Al Shindagha Museum sits in the Al Shindagha Historic District on the banks of Dubai Creek and is dedicated to preserving and interpreting Dubai's maritime, trading and cultural heritage. The museum forms part of Dubai’s wider effort to conserve its pre-oil urban fabric and to explain the transformation from a pearl-diving and trading town to a global city. Its collections and restored structures showcase traditional life, boat-building, navigation, pearl diving, and the social customs that shaped Emirati culture.

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House is a major heritage site in Dubai: the former residence and seat of government of Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum. Located in the Al Shindagha historic district on the western bank of Dubai Creek, the building preserves traditional Emirati residential architecture and a comprehensive photographic archive that documents Dubai’s transformation from a pearling and trading port to a modern city. The house illustrates social, economic and maritime history of pre-oil Dubai and is an essential stop for understanding the emirate’s past.

Expo City Dubai is the permanent legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai, which ran from October 2021 to March 2022. It transformed the Expo site into a year-round cultural, educational and commercial district that celebrates innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration. The site preserves iconic architecture and pavilions created by participating countries and institutions, serving as a living museum of early-21st-century global ideas and urban design.

Global Village is a seasonal cultural, entertainment and shopping destination in Dubai that showcases pavilions from countries around the world. It plays an important role in Dubai's tourism and leisure scene by offering a concentrated, family-friendly experience of global cultures, cuisine, crafts and live entertainment in one venue. The attraction bridges traditional cultural displays with modern theme-park style attractions, making it an accessible cultural introduction for visitors of all ages.

Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the world's largest natural flower gardens and a signature example of Dubai's investment in experiential, family-oriented tourism. Opened in 2013, it showcases horticultural innovation in an arid region by using seasonal displays, large-scale topiary and creative irrigation/landscaping techniques to bring millions of flowers into elaborate, temporary artworks.

Dubai Butterfly Garden is a notable urban nature attraction in Dubai that combines conservation, education and tourism. Housed in climate-controlled domes, it plays a role in preserving butterfly species, offering visitors close-up encounters with live butterflies and highlighting ecological awareness in an otherwise highly urban setting. The garden complements Dubai's emphasis on family-friendly leisure attractions and biodiversity education.

The Green Planet (Dubai) is an indoor bio-dome and one of the region's most immersive urban rainforest experiences. Located in City Walk, Al Wasl, it recreates a tropical ecosystem in the desert to promote biodiversity awareness, conservation and environmental education for families, students and visitors.

IMG Worlds of Adventure is one of Dubai's flagship entertainment attractions and one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world. It showcases Dubai's strategy of year‑round, climate‑controlled leisure experiences that combine global pop‑culture brands with large‑scale themed entertainment, contributing to the city's family and tourism offerings.

Dubai Parks and Resorts is the Middle East's largest integrated theme park destination, significant for showcasing Dubai's investment in family-oriented leisure and entertainment. It brings together international entertainment brands and regional cultural flavors, contributing to Dubai's reputation as a global tourism hub.

Motiongate Dubai is a major Hollywood-inspired theme park in the Middle East, part of the Dubai Parks and Resorts complex. It plays a key role in Dubai's family-tourism offering by bringing international movie franchises to life through immersive environments, rides, and live entertainment. The park showcases the region's ambition to be a global leisure hub and attracts families and movie fans from across the GCC and beyond.

LEGOLAND Dubai is a family-focused theme park within Dubai Parks and Resorts designed primarily for children aged 2–12. It combines play, learning and themed entertainment using LEGO bricks and education-through-play principles, contributing to Dubai's family tourism offering and diversification of leisure attractions.

LEGOLAND Water Park Dubai is a family-focused water park within Dubai Parks and Resorts that brings the LEGO brand's playful, creative philosophy to a water-based environment. It fills a niche in Dubai's entertainment landscape by offering attractions designed specifically for children aged 2–12 and their families, blending play-based learning with water fun. The park helps diversify Dubai’s leisure offerings and reinforces the city’s reputation as a global family holiday destination.

Riverland Dubai is the themed retail and dining district at Dubai Parks and Resorts, serving as the gateway to Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, LEGOLAND Dubai and LEGOLAND Water Park. It is an important social and leisure hub designed to complement Dubai's growing family-entertainment and theme-park offering, showcasing immersive streetscapes and architecture inspired by global riverfront villages.