11 Activities
Discovering the History of the Emirates
Starts from
Dubai
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
11
Duration
11 hrs 20 min
Length
21 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Dubai
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
11 hrs 20 min
Length
21 mi
- History and Culture
- Unusual Locations
- Arts and Creativity
Emily Zanier
Blogger
- Learn about the history of the United Arab Emirates.
- Visit various historical places and museums.
- Enjoy beautiful views of Dubai with its most famous sites.
During this trip across Dubai, from north to south, while visiting monuments and museums, you will experience a seamless transition from the Iron Age to the future. Essentially, you will traverse thousands of years, encapsulating the entire history of the UAE in just one day. Exploring and visiting these sites is the best way to learn and create lasting memories.
Old Dubai will be your first stop, with its heritage buildings and history of pearl farming in the region. Then the unification of the United Arab Emirates as a country will be the main focus in the Etihad Museum. A trip to Dubai cannot be complete without amazing views of the sites with skyscrapers and Burj Khalifa with its fountains.
Old Dubai will be your first stop, with its heritage buildings and history of pearl farming in the region. Then the unification of the United Arab Emirates as a country will be the main focus in the Etihad Museum. A trip to Dubai cannot be complete without amazing views of the sites with skyscrapers and Burj Khalifa with its fountains.
Categories
- History and Culture
- Unusual Locations
- Arts and Creativity
During this trip across Dubai, from north to south, while visiting monuments and museums, you will experience a seamless transition from the Iron Age to the future. Essentially, you will traverse thousands of years, encapsulating the entire history of the UAE in just one day. Exploring and visiting these sites is the best way to learn and create lasting memories.
Old Dubai will be your first stop, with its heritage buildings and history of pearl farming in the region. Then the unification of the United Arab Emirates as a country will be the main focus in the Etihad Museum. A trip to Dubai cannot be complete without amazing views of the sites with skyscrapers and Burj Khalifa with its fountains.
Old Dubai will be your first stop, with its heritage buildings and history of pearl farming in the region. Then the unification of the United Arab Emirates as a country will be the main focus in the Etihad Museum. A trip to Dubai cannot be complete without amazing views of the sites with skyscrapers and Burj Khalifa with its fountains.
Emily Zanier
Blogger
- Learn about the history of the United Arab Emirates.
- Visit various historical places and museums.
- Enjoy beautiful views of Dubai with its most famous sites.
Day Itinerary
11 Activities
Day 1
20 mi1 mi
Exploring History and Museums from Old to New
Dubai did not start with the oil and skyscrapers, but there were people on this land thousands of years ago. And that is exactly what you will discover this morning by visiting the archaeological museum and heritage buildings in the oldest neighbourhoods of Dubai.
Then, in the afternoon, you will explore Dubai's transition from the old to the new, witnessing the latest skyscrapers and glimpsing into the future.
Then, in the afternoon, you will explore Dubai's transition from the old to the new, witnessing the latest skyscrapers and glimpsing into the future.
09:005 min
Car Park
Start your trip in the Al Fahidi heritage district, home to museums dedicated to the history of Dubai. Leave your car in the car park and walk to the museums.
0.4 mi
10 min
09:1545 min
Saruq Al-Hadid Archeology Museum
The Saruq Al-Hadid Archaeology Museum will take you back in time as far as some three thousand years ago. You will explore the remains of the Saruq Al-Hadid, which means “the Way of Iron” and is located in the desert at a remote site. Objects from here are on display in the museum in a fascinating exhibition featuring new technology.
So, you will learn about the skills and accomplishments of the people who worked with iron in this ancient factory. The museum is housed in a heritage building in the Al Shindagha district, which you will explore afterwards.
So, you will learn about the skills and accomplishments of the people who worked with iron in this ancient factory. The museum is housed in a heritage building in the Al Shindagha district, which you will explore afterwards.
0.1 mi
5 min
10:051 hr
Al Shindagha Museum
Al Shindagha Museum is a complex of historical buildings which are part of what was called the heritage village. Several of them contain small thematic museums about the history and culture of the UAE, which include the exhibition of historical objects.
In the main museum, where you can buy your entrance ticket for the whole complex, there is an interesting video about the history of Dubai from the times of the pearl fishing industry.
In the main museum, where you can buy your entrance ticket for the whole complex, there is an interesting video about the history of Dubai from the times of the pearl fishing industry.
3.3 mi
15 min
11:2045 min
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
After visiting the heritage area of Al Shindagha you can head to the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. If it is not too hot, and you like to walk, you can even go there on foot, it should take between 20 and 30 minutes, walking along the Creek.
On the way you will find the Dubai Museum, which is temporarily closed, but observe it from the outside as it is housed in the Al Fahidi Fort, built around 1800 and considered the oldest remaining structure in Dubai.
This heritage area is also very interesting to walk around. It has been splendidly renovated and the buildings with their sandy colour and wind towers house small museums, shops and cafés.
On the way you will find the Dubai Museum, which is temporarily closed, but observe it from the outside as it is housed in the Al Fahidi Fort, built around 1800 and considered the oldest remaining structure in Dubai.
This heritage area is also very interesting to walk around. It has been splendidly renovated and the buildings with their sandy colour and wind towers house small museums, shops and cafés.
0.1 mi
5 min
12:301 hr
Arabian Tea House (Al Fahidi)
Have lunch at the Arabian Tea House in the historical neighbourhood of Al Fahidi. It is a typical Emirati restaurant offering local dishes with rice, meat, seafood, etc. There are many options and a fabulous choice of teas and juices. The atmosphere is also very warm, with white and blue tables and chairs. You will be sitting in the courtyard of what was once a pearl merchant's house.
3.3 mi
20 min
14:001 hr
Dubai Frame
The Dubai Frame is the best transition you can find between old and new Dubai, as it is located right between them. You can go inside the Frame. On the way up, there is a small museum area depicting the historical district and culture of Dubai.
You will then go to the top in a transparent glass elevator for two amazing views. On one side, you will view Old Dubai, which you have just visited, with Sharjah in the background. And on the other, you can contemplate the new part of Dubai, with the Burj Khalifa and all the skyscrapers.
On the way down on the other side, you will see a futuristic exhibit, before leaving the Frame. You can also enjoy the Jabeel Park at the bottom, where you can walk around and enjoy great views of the Frame. The building itself is the highest in the shape of a frame in the world, and the design is the same as it was for the Expo 2020.
You will then go to the top in a transparent glass elevator for two amazing views. On one side, you will view Old Dubai, which you have just visited, with Sharjah in the background. And on the other, you can contemplate the new part of Dubai, with the Burj Khalifa and all the skyscrapers.
On the way down on the other side, you will see a futuristic exhibit, before leaving the Frame. You can also enjoy the Jabeel Park at the bottom, where you can walk around and enjoy great views of the Frame. The building itself is the highest in the shape of a frame in the world, and the design is the same as it was for the Expo 2020.
3 mi
15 min
15:151 hr
Etihad Museum
Etihad means Union in Arabic. So the Etihad Museum is about the Union of the seven emirates to create the unified country of the United Arab Emirates.
The building itself has a very interesting shape and architecture representing the manuscript signed as the basis of the Union, and the place where it took place is part of the museum complex.
There are several areas to visit with a very contemporary, spacious and interactive museography. You can watch fascinating videos about the founding of the UAE, and there are historical objects and photographs belonging to all seven founding fathers of the UAE. There is also an art collection on display.
The building itself has a very interesting shape and architecture representing the manuscript signed as the basis of the Union, and the place where it took place is part of the museum complex.
There are several areas to visit with a very contemporary, spacious and interactive museography. You can watch fascinating videos about the founding of the UAE, and there are historical objects and photographs belonging to all seven founding fathers of the UAE. There is also an art collection on display.
5.9 mi
15 min
16:301 hr
Museum of the Future
Dubai is a city that always looks to the future and carries out incredible projects like no other place in the world. The Museum of the Future is housed in an incredible, futuristic oval-shaped building bearing Arabic calligraphy. It has been declared “the most beautiful building on Earth” by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
You will experience a trip to the future, to bring back memories and knowledge to the present. This is the most recent attraction in Dubai, having been inaugurated in February 2022.
As this is a very popular place, you should book your tickets to visit the museum several days in advance on the website.
You will experience a trip to the future, to bring back memories and knowledge to the present. This is the most recent attraction in Dubai, having been inaugurated in February 2022.
As this is a very popular place, you should book your tickets to visit the museum several days in advance on the website.
2.7 mi
15 min
17:455 min
Car Park
Enjoy the dancing fountain next to the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. Leave your car in the car park nearby.
0.6 mi
15 min
18:151 hr
Dubai Fountain
For a perfect end to the day, look up at the Burj Khalifa, since this is the tallest building in the world and the most famous skyscraper in Dubai. It also represents a great deal of the history of Dubai, which has invested a lot in tourism recently. Tourists from all over the world come to Dubai to enjoy this incredible view.