Although the early history of the area is not very well documented, archeological discoveries suggests that, as long as four thousand years ago, small fishing communities lived along the coast of the Arabian Gulf on the site of modern Dubai.

It is also believed that the natural sheltered harbour afforded by the Dubai Creekwa a busy port of call on the ancient trade route between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley.

In recent years, archeologists have unearthedhundreds of artifacts, including pottery, weapons and coinage, that point to civilised settlements dating back to the third millennium B.C.

These historic finds have been carefully preserved and are now permanently housed in the Archeolo- gical Section of Dubai Museum.

Modern Dubai, however, traces its origins to the 1830’s. At that time, the small fishing village on the Shindagha peninsula at the mouth of the Creek was settled by a branch of the Bani Yas tribe, originally from the Liwa oasis to the south, led by the Maktoum family who still rule the emirates today.

By the late 1870’s, Dubai was often referred to as the principal port on the Gulf coast and, by the turn of the century, was reputed to have had the largest souks in Arabia.

Pearling which was the mainstay of the city’s prosperity for many years, succumbed to the development of the cultured pearl in the 1940’s. But Dubai’s enterprising merchants bounced back, developing a thriving trade in gold and other commodities. Much of this history is carefully preserved in myriad forts, mosques, palaces and other historic monuments, which are on the itineraries of many organized tours.


Archaeological Sites
There are four main excavation site in Dubai, at Al Qusais, Al Sufooh, Jumeirah and Hatta.

The first two are graveyards dating back more than 2,000 years.
The Jumeirah site reveals artifacts from the 7th to 15th centuries AD.

These sites are not yet open to the public. However tourist or tour operators may obtain a special permit from Dubai Museum to visit the digs.

Bur Dubai Creekside
The buildings lining the Bur Dubai side of the Creek provided the main panorama of the old city.

The traditional facades of these buildings have been restored to their original state, with wooden windows, decorative gypsum panels and screens.

Clothing and Jewelry
The Arab national dress worn in Dubai is well adapted to the high temperatures of the region.

The white ankle-length, loose-fitting garment worn by men is known as the Kandoura or Dishdasha, while the women’s black long-sleeved full-length robe is also called an abayah. Headcoverings, are used by both sexes for protection from sand and the midday sun. Like women everywhere, the women of Dubai too have a fondness for jewelry and have customarily adorned themselves with gold and silver necklace, forehead decorations, earrings, bracelets, anklets and rings for fingers, noses and even toes. Henna- a reddish dye obtained from powdered leaves-is widely used to stain the palms and soles of the feet for weddings and other special occasions.

Al Ahmadiya School
Established in 1912, Al Ahmadiya School was the first regular school in Dubai, located in the Al-Ras Area of Deira. The two-storey building was renovated in 1995 for use as a museum of education.

Saturday to Thursday: 08:00-07:30 daily Friday: 02:30pm-07:30pm

Bait Al Wakeel
Built in 1934 by the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Bait al Wakeel was the first office Building in Dubai.

At the edge of the Creek near the abra landing, the building’s restoration was Complete in 1995.

Bin Muzaina House
Located adjacent to the Al Ahmadiya School, the house has a large countryyard with a rectangular windtower.
The oldest part of the house dates back to the 1890’s.

Visiting Hours
Saturday to Thursday: 08:30-13:30 and 15:30-20:00
Friday: 01:30pm-08:00pm

Burj Nahar
One of the many watchtowers that once guarded the old city, built in 1870, the restored Burj Nahar in Its picturesque gardens in Deira is popular with photographers.

Heritage House
The oldest part of the house dates back to the 1890’s with many newer parts added in later years. It is a large courtyard house with more than 10 rooms and a rectangular windtower.

Visiting Hours
Saturday to Wednesday: 07:30-14:30
Ramadan: Saturday- Thursday: 09:00-17:00 Friday: 14:00-17:00

Heritage Village & Diving Village
A tradition heritage village, located near the mouth of Dubai Creek in the Sindagha district, features Potters and weavers practicing traditional crafts, as well as exhibits and demonstrations of pearl diving.

It is a place where the visitor can take a step back in time and experience some of Dubai’s Culture and heritage.

Visiting Hours
Saturday to Thursday: 08:00-22:00  Friday: 08:00-11:00 and 16:00-22:00

Majlis Ghorfat Um-Al Sheif
Built around 1955 as a summer retreat for the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the majlis is Located in the Jumeirah area near the sea and features a traditional palm tree garden with a “falaj” irrigation system.

Visiting Hours
Saturday to Thursday : 08:30-13:30and 15:30-20:00  Friday: 13:30-20:00

Dubai Museum
Al Fahidi Fort, which houses the Dubai Museum, was built around 1799, and once guarded the landward approaches to the town.

Renovated in 1993 for use as museum, its colourful life size dioramas vividly depict everyday life in the days before the discovery of oil. Galleries recreate scenes from the Creek, traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souk, date farms and desert and marine life.

One of the more spectacular exhibits portrays pearl diving, including sets of pearl merchants’ weights, scales and shieves. Also on display are artifacts from several excavations in the emirate, recovered from graves that date back to the third millennium B.C.

Visiting Hours
Saturday to Thursday : 08:30-19:30 daily Friday: 13:30-19:30

Hatta Heritage Village
Nestled among the Hajjar mountains and overlooking a fertile oasis, the 16th century Hatta village has Been carefully restored to provide a fine example of village architecture four hundred years ago.

Con- sisting of a mosque, a fort, two watchtowers and some 20 houses constructed of stone, mud, reeds and palm tree trunks, the village is dominated by the imposing Hatta Fort which protected the inhabitants against invasion.

Visiting Hours
Saturday to Thursday : 08:00-20:00 daily  Friday: 14:00-20:00

Sheikh Saeed’s House
The official residence of Sheikhs Saeed Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai ( 1912-1958) and grandfather of the present Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has been restored to stand proud again on the Shindagha end of Dubai Creek.
The house, which dates from 1896, today houses a rare Collection of historic photographs, coins, stamps and documents that record Dubai’s history.

Visiting Hours
Saturday to Thursday : 08:00-20:30 daily  Friday: 15:30-21:30