EYEWITNESS TRAVEL
TOP 10 dubai & abu dhabi
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EYEWITNESS TRAVEL
TOP 10 dubai & abu dhabi
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TOP 10
DUBAI & ABU DHABI
LARA DUNSTON & SARAH MONAGHAN
EYEWITNESS TRAVEL
Contents
Left An advertisement luring shoppers to buy Dubai’s gold Right Windtowers along the Creek
Contents
Design, Editorial and Picture Research, by Quadrum Solutions, Krishnamai, 33B, Sir Pochkanwala Road, Worli, Mumbai, India Reproduced by Colourscan, Singapore Printed and bound in China by Leo Paper Products Ltd First American Edition, 2007 10 11 12 13 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Published in the United States by DK Publishing, 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014 Reprinted with revisions 2010 Copyright 2007, 2010 © Dorling Kindersley Limited, London All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress. ISSN 1479-344X ISBN: 978-0-75666-187-8 Within each Top 10 list in this book, no hierarchy of quality or popularity is implied. All 10 are, in the editor’s opinion, of roughly equal merit. Floors are referred to throughout in accordance with British usage; ie the “first floor” is the floor above ground level.
Dubai & Abu Dhabi’s Top 10 Dubai Museum Dubai Creek
8 10
Bastakiya
12
Jumeirah Mosque
14
Burj Al Arab
16
Madinat Jumeirah
18
Dubai Souqs
20
Emirates Palace
22
Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage
24
Desert Escapes
26
Culture & Tradition
30
Audacious Projects
32
Art Galleries
34
Shopping Malls & Souqs
36
Things to Buy
38
The information in this DK Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide is checked regularly. Every effort has been made to ensure that this book is as up-to-date as possible at the time of going to press. Some details, however, such as telephone numbers, opening hours, prices, gallery hanging arrangements and travel information are liable to change. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of this book, nor for any material on third party websites, and cannot guarantee that any website address in this book will be a suitable source of travel information. We value the views and suggestions of our readers very highly. Please write to: Publisher, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, Dorling Kindersley, 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, Great Britain. Cover: Front - Alamy Images: David Copeman clb; Eric Nathan bl; Getty Images: Gulfimages / Pankaj & Insy Shah main. Spine - Alamy Images: Yadid Levy b. Back - Alamy Images: Jon Arnold Images / Joe Malone cra; Profimedia International s.r.o ca; Getty Images: Gulfimages / Pankaj Shah cla.
2
Streetsmart
Middle Eastern Restaurants
40
Best Bars in Dubai
42
Beach Resorts
44
Spas
46
Arriving in Dubai & Abu Dhabi
102
Activities for Kids
48
Getting Around
103
Outdoor Activities
50
Indoor Activities
52
Banking & Communications
104
Excursions
54
Things to be Aware of
105
Things to Avoid
106
Useful Information
107
Around Town
Planning Your Trip
100
Travel Information Sources 101
Deira
58
Security & Health
108
Bur Dubai
66
Budget Tips
109
Sheikh Zayed Road
72
Accommodation
110
Jumeirah & New Dubai
78
General Index
118
Abu Dhabi
88
Phrase Book
126
Contents
Left The impressive Jumeirah Beach Hotel Right A desert dune drive
Left A windtower in Bastakiya Right Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
Key to abbreviations Adm admission charges
3
DUBAI & ABU DHABI’S TOP 10
Dubai Museum 8–9 Dubai Creek 10–11 Bastakiya 12–13 Jumeirah Mosque 14–15 Burj Al Arab 16–17 Madinat Jumeirah 18–19 Dubai Souqs 20–21 Emirates Palace 22–23 Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage 24–25 Desert Escapes 26–27 Top Ten of Everything 28–55
DUBAI & ABU DHABI’S TOP 10
Dubai & Abu Dhabi’s Highlights 6–7
! Dubai Museum
Set in a well-preserved fort, the Dubai museum, with its whimsical dioramas (below) and fascinating displays, provides a comprehensive introduction to the city (see pp8–9).
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Dubai & Abu Dhabi’s Top 10
Dubai & Abu Dhabi’s Highlights The Arabian emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the richest and most powerful of the seven city-states that make up the United Arab Emirates, offer the best of East and West – Arab culture, Bedouin heritage and Islamic architecture, alongside excellent shopping, sophisticated dining and luxurious hotels. Dubai is divided by its bustling Creek and skirted with white sand beaches, while Abu Dhabi is situated on a splendid Corniche.
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$ Jumeirah Mosque Not only is this mosque (right) Dubai’s most beautiful, it’s the only mosque open to non-Muslims. A guided visit to learn about Islam and culture is a must (see pp14–15).
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Al Arab % Burj This iconic, attentiongrabbing hotel (above) is certainly a sight you cannot miss. It’s the world’s tallest, all-suite hotel building (see pp16–17).
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Shop for handicrafts, dine at a waterfront restaurant, see theatre or sip a cocktail as you enjoy the sunset at this Arabian-themed souq, entertainment and hotel complex (see pp18–19).
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Souqs & Dubai Bargain for gold, perfume, spices and textiles, or simply take in the heady atmosphere of Dubai’s souqs (see pp20–21).
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The jaw-dropping display of gold lining the walls (right) and Swarovski crystals dripping from the chandeliers at Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace hotel make for an impressive sight (see pp22–3).
Dhabi Authority for ( Abu Culture and Heritage Enjoy the tranquil palm-shaded gardens of Abu Dhabi’s elegant white fort palace (above) before taking in the handicraft displays and art shows on Emirati culture at the Authority for Culture and Heritage (see pp24–5).
Escapes ) Desert A visit to the UAE is incomplete without a desert experience. Stay at enchanting desert resorts Al Maha or Bab Al Shams or take a fun desert safari (see pp26–7).
To enjoy the highlights at a more relaxed pace, spend a few days in Dubai, a day or two in Abu Dhabi and a day in the desert.
7
Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s Top 10
Dubai Museum A visit to Dubai would be incomplete without a tour of this cleverly-planned museum. It offers a vivid picture of how Dubai has crammed into a third of a century what most cities achieve in several. Located near the creekside historic Bastakiya district, the museum is housed within and beneath one of the city’s oldest buildings, Al Fahidi Fort. It traces the city’s meteoric development from small desert settlement to centre of the Arabian world for commerce, finance and tourism. Visit here to gain a sensory insight into traditions past and present.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Al Fahidi Fort Barasti Windtower House Bedouin Traditions Display Multimedia Presentation Old Dubai Souq Dioramas Islamic School Dioramas Desert at Night Exhibitions Underwater Pearl Diving Exhibition 9 Archaeological Finds 0 Wooden Dhow
Fahidi Fort ! Al Originally built in 1787,
Bedouin wax figures
A souvenir area sells traditional Bedouin artefacts, but it’s more fun, and cheaper, to bargain in the souqs. After your visit, retain the flavour of historic Dubai with lunch or coffee in the shady courtyard of nearby Basta Art Café (see p71).
this fort, with its magnificent watch tower, was constructed to defend the Emiratis against invasion. Renovated in 1971, it now serves as a city museum.
Wind@ Barasti tower House The fort’s courtyard houses a CBSBTUJ (date palm frond) home CFMPX and windtower cooling system, common in the region up to the 1950s.
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Bedouin Traditions Display
A gallery displays the costumes, jewellery, weapons and tools of the Bedouin people. A holographic video presentation of a tribe performing the ceremonial sword dance, the Ardah, is hypnotic.
8
Top 10 Features
$ Multimedia Presentation A 10-minute film presentation, with archive footage, explains the development of modern Dubai from 1960 onward. The film takes you through a pictorial tour of Dubai’s transformation over 40 years, decade-by-decade.
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3 4
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Young Emiratis recite the lines of the Koran (right) under the eye of their tutor in this reconstruction of a 1950’s school.
Key to plans Ground floor Basement
at Night & Desert Exhibitions Learn how animals that live in the Arabian desert have adapted to cope with lack of water, extreme temperatures and shortage of food.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s Top 10
Holographic technology combined with waxwork figures (left), smells, sounds and archive footage transport you into the creekside souq of half a century ago.
Pearl * Underwater Diving Exhibition This gallery explains the techniques used by pearl divers (above) who wore nose clips to descend to impossible depths.
Bedouin Culture
Dhow ) Wooden ( Archaeological A traditional Arab Finds vessel, the dhow (above), is on show at the museum’s exit. For celestial navigation, sailors used the kamal, a device that determines latitude using the angle of the Pole Star above the horizon.
Interesting artefacts from excavations of graves that date back to 3,000 BC, such as fine copper and alabaster objects and pottery (left), are on display.
Bedu, the Arabic word from which the name Bedouin is derived, means “inhabitant of the desert”. Bedouins would move from oasis to oasis by camel and would engage in smallscale agriculture. The hardships of the desert have imbued Bedouin culture with a strong honour code and a famous hospitality.
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9
Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s Top 10
Dubai Creek Dubai Creek, fed by the waters of the Arabian Gulf, is the lifeblood of old and new Dubai – a vibrant mix of the past and the present. The contrast of traditional wooden dhows being unloaded at the wharfage against stunning modern architecture, such as the glass dome-fronted Bank of Dubai (see p61) and the giant ball-topped Etisalat building, is fascinating. The two sides of the Creek are Deira (north) and Bur Dubai (south) and a walk along either is an enjoyable way to discover this multi-faceted city. Getting across the Creek is easy: the nearest bridge for cars is Maktoum Bridge but the cheapest and most authentic crossing has to be by abra. Top 10 Features
A creek cruise
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Abra Trips Dhows Waterfront Heritage Wharf Walk Bur Dubai Waterfront Bait Al Wakeel The Diwan Creekside Park Creek Cruises Bateaux Dubai
Trips ! Abra Abras are flatbottomed, open-sided water taxis (right) and are a breezy way to travel. Cram in with other passengers – the abras carry 40,000 people per day – and enjoy the great views.
@ Dhows The dhow is the traditional sailing vessel of the Emirates. These beautiful wooden boats (left) are used for tourist rides as well as for trade.
Heritage £ Waterfront In the Shindagha area near the Creek mouth you will find the restored house and museum of the late ruler Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum and the Heritage and Diving Village (below), which showcases Arabian culture.
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Built in 1934, this was the Dubai office of the British East India Company (below). It has been completely restored and now houses a restaurant.
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Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s Top 10
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Dubai Waterfront % Bur The ruler’s Diwan and historic architecture of “Old Dubai” can be enjoyed from the Deira side of the Creek BCPWF : windtowers, minarets and the domes of the Grand Mosque.
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taking an amble alongside the colourful painted dhows moored on the Creek on Baniyas Road. They arrive each day from India, Iran and Oman. You can wander by and watch their interesting wares being unloaded.
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