Dubai Gold Souk

If Dubai Mall represents the modern side of Emirati commerce, then the Dubai Gold Souk represents its traditional side. The Souk (from the Arabic souq, meaning “market”) is yet another massive complex, this time located farther east in Deira, the old central business district of Dubai. And as its name suggests, the Gold Souk primarily sells items made of gold, namely gold jewelry.

     Over 300 shops occupy the Souk’s rentable space, so shoppers have a wide variety of choices. The main attraction of the Dubai Gold Souk is the prevailing practice of negotiating with the shopkeepers for better prices. In fact, shopkeepers at the Souk may expect you to haggle for a better price. Haggling has all but died out in the West, now relegated mainly to flea markets, but it’s alive and well in the Middle East. If you’re not a skilled negotiator but you still want to buy, try going to the Souk with someone who’s good at haggling.

    Don’t visit the Gold Souk expecting the wide, luxurious corridors and modern conveniences of Dubai Mall. This vast market is a huge cluster of shops connected by narrow passageways. Be sure to bring bottled water with you, especially if you’re visiting during the summer.

Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

Dubai isn’t all about skyscrapers, wealth, and shopping. The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, an expansive, 87 square mile nature reserve one hour’s drive southeast of the city, is living proof that Dubai has more to offer. The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, bought this plot of inland desert in 1997 and established a wildlife reserve on the grounds. 

     When most people think of the desert, they might think of a lifeless expanse of sand.  However, nothing could be further from the truth. The reserve now hosts hundreds of species of animal native to southeastern Arabia, from wild cats, foxes, and long-horned antelopes to tiny rodents and reptiles. The Reserve also contains many different types of colorful desert flora.

     Supervised tours of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve are available through its official website.  For those nature lovers who can’t stand the bustle of the city, the reserve is an absolute must-see.

Dubai Museum

Travelers with a historical bent won’t want to miss Dubai Museum, an institution housing many of Dubai’s oldest and most interesting artifacts. Founded in 1971, the museum is located in Al-Fahidi Fort, an 18th century walled fort built originally for the purpose of defending Dubai from inland raids and attacks. While Al-Fahidi Fort no longer serves its defensive purpose, it’s still an important part of Dubai.        

     The exterior and courtyard of the fort have been maintained in pristine condition by the local authorities, who have kept the 18th and 19th century cannon and other defensive weaponry as they would have been placed when the fort was still active.  Inside the fort, visitors will find a wealth of historical artifacts on display. Traditional articles of clothing, old weapons and armor, fishing implements, and merchants’ scales and weights line the fort’s inside walls.

     Dubai Museum’s most interesting artifacts have to do with its past reliance on the pearl industry: full pearl diving suits and rows of pearls caught in the Gulf waters by divers are also on display in the museum. The fort even houses a perfectly preserved dhow, the wooden sailboat unique to the Persian Gulf coast that is still used by Emiratis for fishing and trade.

     The Dubai Museum is one Dubai attraction that won’t force you to empty your wallet. Tickets are only 3 AED (less than $1) per visitor, making the Dubai Museum one of the best deals for tourists to the city. The Museum is conveniently located at the Al-Fahidi stop of the Dubai Metro.

     Dubai is a modern metropolis with a wealth of attractions for all kinds of travelers. If you plan on staying in Dubai for a few days, don’t miss the best the city has to offer.