Important Places in Dubai

Dubai cities are divided by the Dubai Creek into two parts: Deira on the northern side and Bur Dubai to the south. Each of the regions has it own share of fine mosques, souks, restaurants, hotels, and shopping malls.

Dubai City Information

• Bur Dubai

Bur Dubai represents the distinctive cultural blend of ideas, people, and places. One must take a tour of the Bastakia area, the Dubai Museum, the Diving Village, the Heritage Village and the Sheikh Saeed House.

The dhow (boat) trip to the other side of the creek or a romantic cruise down Dubai Creek is a valuable experience. The theme parks of Wonderland and Splashland, as well as the popular restaurant, Planet Hollywood are very enjoyable.

One can visit major shopping malls like Bur Juman, Al Khaleej Center and the Wafi Shopping Mall or go for the best bargains in electronics and textiles on the Al Fahidi Street. The Karama shopping complex offers a wide variety to fit all budgets and tastes.

• Deira Dubai

The Shindagha tunnel (undersea tunnel), the Al Maktoum Bridge and the Al Garhoud Bridge connect Deira with the rest of Dubai.

Deira Dubai is famous for its buildings, all of which are modern architectural wonders. The skyline by the Creek is breathtaking. The Ice rink at the Galleria and the Mamzar Beach Park are made for family outings. Garhoud, down the Dubai Creek is closest to the Dubai International Airport. Most of the major schools are in this area. The prominent sails of the Dubai Creek , Golf and Yacht club, are a must see. A day trip to the sand dunes of Hatta is highly recommended.

Deira is home to the world famous Gold Souk. The Al Ghurair Center, Deira City Center, Al Manal Center and the Hamrain Center are to name a few of the many state-of-the-art shopping malls.

Landmarks in Dubai

• Umeirah Beach Dubai

Jumeirah Beach is the one of the most prestigious areas of Dubai. Jumeirah beach is the home of the world’s only seven star hotel, the Burj Al Arab.  Burj Al Arab is shaped like a yacht’s sail and built out into the ocean, it’s interior is gilded with gold and the downstairs restaurant give the feel of the interior of the ocean. Next door, the Jumeirah Beach hotel is also shaped like the crest of a wave, giving this corner of Jumeirah a very glamorous feel.

Jumeirah mosque, is one of the largest and most beautiful osques in the city. It is the most visited and photographed sight in Dubai, as it is one of the finest examples of modern Islamic architecture. Jumeirah mosque looks magnificent at night.

Jumeirah has a massive water park – the Wild Wadi.

• Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai
  
  Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai surrounded on either sides by impressive skyscrapers, is an ideal destination for tourists. The World Trade Center, Emirates Towers, and Dubai International Financial Center reflect the growing focal point of modern business that is emerging along Sheikh Zayed Road.
  
  Sheikh Zayed Road is essentially a business and residential area, but shops and restaurants are present at the the ground levels of most other buildings.
  
  
• Burj Al Arab
  
  Burj Al-Arab is the most extravagant hotel in the world. The world’s first seven star hotel developed by Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts chooses its customers and the other way around. Burj Al Arab is shaped like a yacht’s sail and built out into the ocean, it’s interior is gilded with gold and the downstairs restaurant give the feel of the interior of the ocean.
  
  
• Palm Islands
  
  The Palm Islands in Dubai, an ambitious project was visualized by Nakheel Properties. These man-made islands were constructed to accommodate the ever-growing tourist influx in Dubai. It is shaped to resemble a palm tree.  The Palm Trilogy defines everyday luxury living.
  
  
• The World Islands
  
  The World Islands was envisioned by Nakheel Properties. It is behind the Palm Trilogy, and it shares the same idea of creating man made islands for luxury residential purposes. When photographed from above the islands resemble the world and each island is the country within it. The development will give rise to hotel properties, residential buildings, and tourism in Dubai.
  
  
• Ski Dubai
  
  The Ski resort inside the Mall of Emirates is the largest mall in the world. It has 22,500-square metres of ski area covered in snow all year round. The indoor ski resort hosts various ski jump slopes and play areas to entertain children and adults alike.
  
  
• Burj Khalifa
  
  Burj Khalifa tops the list for the tallest skyscraper in the world at a height of 2,717 ft. It is a part of the new development called Downtown Dubai. The tower hosts the most elite hotels, shopping centers, residences and offices in the world.
  
  
• Dubai Internet City
  
  Dubai Internet City (DIC) proves its effectiveness as the most strategic and cost effective platform for ICT companies aiming to capture global markets. In fact, DIC is one of the few designated areas to offer 100 percent tax exemption business ownership.
  
  
• Deira Clocktower
  
  Deira Clock tower is a major landmark in Dubai. It was built in 1963 to mark the country’s first oil exports. Also referred to as Dubai Clock tower, it stands at the gateway of Maktoum Bridge which is one of the significant constructions in Dubai Creek linking- Bur Dubai and Deira.
  
  
• Dubai Marina
  
  Dubai Marina is located in what is known as “new Dubai”. It is a man-made canal city built to encourage luxurious lifestyles through exclusive waterfront constructions along the Persian Gulf shoreline. The constructions include swanky hotels, aristocratic residential palaces and extravagant shopping and entertainment centers.
  
  
• Al Bastakiya
  
  Though modern Dubai is all about hi-rise constructions, but a part of it remains strongly connected to the narrow lanes and wind-towers of the historic Al Bastakiya district. This place is the oldest residential district in Dubai, dating back to 1890. The area is significant for its old-time architecture and its unaffiliation for the busy lives of Bur Dubai.
  
  

Districts in Dubai

• Satwa
  
  It is one of Dubai’s Little India and Little Manila, due to the presence of Filipinos and Indians. Satwa has gold shops and is not so crowded.
  
  Karama is like a mixed commercial residential district.  It is like Dubai’s Little Indias and Little Manilas.  It has cheap food and and things to buy.
  
  
• Bur Dubai
  
  It is a historical district. Bur Dubai is a term for the area from Jumeirah to the creek, the creek separates Bur Dubai from Deira. Tourist attractions range from abras to souks and from floating restaurants to the famous creek.
  
  
• Deira
  
  Deira is Dubai’s old Financial center. Present day Deira is a bustling commercial-residential district with some old souks, including one specializing in spices.
  
  
• Jumeirah
  
  Jumeirah is a district whose residents are the Europeans to the Filipinos to the Pakistanis. Jumeirah is much favoured by Europeans because of the ease of access of the beach. Beautiful villas are situated here. Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah Beach Residence’s the Walk and Jumeirah Mosque are the main attractions.
  
  
• Downtown Dubai
  
  The Downtown Dubai development is between Dubai Marina on the south end and the border with the city of Sharjah to the north. It has the Burj Khalifa (tallest building in the world), the Dubai Mall (world’s biggest), Dubai Fountain, and lots of other hotels and skyscrapers.
  
  
• Dubai Marina
  
  It is a mega-development that surrounds Jebel Ali (the world’s largest man-made port). It is replete with skyscrapers and hosts the “Jumeirah Beach Walk” with a numerous restaurants, hotels, an open-air market when the weather permits, and frequent shows.
  
  
• Arabian Ranches and Emirates Hills
  
  Arabian Ranches and Emirates Hills are two separate places. These two are Man-made.
  
  
• Mirdif
  
  It is a commercial-residential district which is somewhat newly built. It is situated under the flight path to Dubai International Airport. Mirdif City Center is one of the main attractions.
  
  
• International City
  
  It is special because of its architectural design. It is like the next Chinatown as many Chinese businessmen and women reside here.