Dubai is a tourist destination that's popular for all the wrong reasons. The majority of visitors to this Arabian city of future come here to experience its innovative projects and lavish lifestyle. But beyond the gold souks and 6 star hotels of the "luxurious Dubai", is a city filled with history, wildlife and traditional culture.
Here are 7 hidden wonders of Dubai that you WON'T find in travel brochures.
1. Al Fahidi Fort/ Dubai Museum
Dubai's most well known historic site, this traditional Arabian fort was built in 1787, long before modern Dubai existed, as is one of the oldest buildings in the UAE. In 1971 it was converted into the Dubai Museum, the city's most famous which showcases the history, traditions and natural history of this region, before modern Dubai. The fort is situated at the southern end of Dubai Creek.
Admission costs just 3 AED for adults and 1 AED for children under 6.
For more information visit: http://www.dubaiculture.gov.ae/en/Live-Our-Heritage/Pages/Dubai-Museum-and-Al-Fahidi-Fort.aspx
2. Miracle Gardens
As the name may suggest, this spectacular garden took a miracle to create, especially in the arid environment of Dubai. The garden opened on Valentine's Day of 2014. The entire garden spans an area of 780,000 sq. ft. and consists of 45 million flowers. The garden's claim to fame is its many shapes created out of the flowers, which include heart archways, animals, buildings including replicas of mosques and the city's iconic Burj Khalifa, and its giant Emirates Airbus, which in 2016 was officially recognized by the Guinness as the largest flower structure the world.
Admission is 40 AED for adult and 30 AED for children
Address: Al Barsha South 3, Dubai, 18115
Website: http://www.dubaimiraclegarden.com/
3. Ras al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary
This 5 sq. mi wildlife reserve is located just southwest of the International Airport. It was founded in 1985 and is home to 270 species of animals and 47 species of plants, which include small mammals, fish, crustaceans, and dozens of species of migratory birds. The sanctuary's most famous and most photographed inhabitants are its pink huge flocks of pink flamingos.
Admission for the reserve is free and it is open from dawn to dusk, so it is an absolute must for anyone interested in seeing wildlife in the most unlikeliest of places.
For more information visit: http://www.dubaicity.com/ras-al-khor-wildlife-sanctuary/
4. Jumeirah Archaeological Site
Located in the high-end neighborhood of Jumeirah, this little known archaeological site was built in the 6th century during the reign of the Abbasid Caliphate. Artifacts found at site, (now on display at the Dubai museum), show the site of inhabited up until the 15th century. The site contains the ruins of a place, mosque, caravanserai and several residential dwellings. Not much is left of this site, and if it was located anywhere else in the world, it wouldn't even be worth mentioning. However, the fact that such an old archaeological site is located in Dubai, is what makes it an intriguing attraction.
5.Ali ibn Abi Talib Iranian Mosque
Of course, no trip to the Middle East would be complete without a mosque, and Dubai has no shortage of them, but the Ali ibn Abi Talib Iranian Mosque is by far it's most impressive. Located near the old textile market in city's historic Bur Dubai quarter, this impressive Shia mosque serves as the main place of warship for the city's Iranian population. The building looks like something straight out of ancient Persia, and even if you're not a Muslim, it's worth visiting for its staggering beauty.
6. Spice Souk
Just like mosques, Dubai has no shortage of traditional souks or markets, so again, no trip to the city would be complete without visiting at least one. Although the Gold Souk is most popular with tourists, the Spice Souk is one of the more traditional ones, where locals come to buy spices in preparation for traditional Islamic feasts. Despite its name, the souk also has shops selling traditional household textiles, incense, rugs and artifacts, as well as traditional Arabic and South Asian food. Haggling is a must, and it is considered insulting not to do so. The best time to visit is at night, when the market is crowded a cacophony of haggling locals. Although the number of outdoor spice stalls has shrunk significantly in recent years, due to the growing popularity of super markets, it's still a great place to experience traditional Middle Eastern commerce.
The souk is located on Baniyas St. just across from the more famous Gold Souk in the city's Deria district.
7. Crossroad of Civilizations Museum
Although the Dubai Museum is interesting, the Crossroads of Civilization Museum most certainly rivals it. The museum is actually several museums in one. These include the Crossroads of Civilization Museum, Rare Books, Manuscripts & Prints Museum, and The Armory Museum. Together they showcase the best and highest quality artifacts from all the civilizations that have passed through what is now Dubai. These include artifacts from Europe, Asia, Africa and of course, the Middle East. The mixed collection of artifacts is a great reflection of the city's tolerance of various cultures, religions and beliefs.
The museum is located on Al Khaleej Rd., next to the Sheikh Hasher al Maktoum House and Heritage Village in the historic Bur Dubai district.
Entry Fee: AED 30 per ticket (includes all three museums)
AED 15 for Groups of 15 visitors or more
FREE for children under 10
For more information visit: http://themuseum.ae/
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