Dubai Holidays - Five Unmissable Cultural Highlights

Dubai City may be more famous for its skyscrapers, malls and beach resorts than for museums and culture, but don't be fooled - there's plenty of cultural sights to see as part of a luxury holiday to Dubai. Many people don't stray beyond the comforts of their resorts while on their Dubai holidays, but they would be missing out on the mosques, museums and markets that still stand out as star attractions amidst the high rise metropolis that Dubai is rapidly becoming.

Here are five of the biggest cultural highlights to experience while on holiday in Dubai...

Dubai Museum

This museum is a perfect first stop on a Dubai holiday, giving you a crash course in the history of the country and an insight into its culture. The building of the Dubai museum is itself a piece of history, as it is located in the Al Fahidi Fort which was built to protect Dubai from naval invaders over two hundred years ago. Step inside, and you are treated to a range of exhibits that showcase the evolution of Dubai, from its tribal beginnings to the international business centre that it has become today. Highlights include a traditional instruments display, an impressive collection of weaponry and a number of staged dioramas that dramatically depict significant events in Dubai's history.

Bastakiya District

While much of Dubai City is now formed of modern skyscrapers, the Bastakiya District gives you a glimpse of Dubai as it once was. Located just next to the Dubai Museum, Bastakiya is a collection of traditional buildings, each built around a central courtyard and cooled by its own wind tower. It is a superbly preserved series of buildings, interspersed with art galleries, shops, restaurants and cafes, and is a great place to visit as part of a cultural holiday in Dubai.

The Souks

Souk is the Arabic word for market - the traditional place where everyday goods are bought and sold by the ordinary people of the city. Most travellers on a Dubai luxury holiday will know about the legendary Gold Souk, and plenty more will be tempted to the air-conditioned luxury of the souks in the city centre. For a real taste of the Arabic marketplace, head over to the smaller, more traditional souks that are scattered across the city, selling everything from spices, to clothing, food and much more. They are the perfect place to pick up souvenirs for your Dubai holiday, but come prepared to haggle - if you get the traders down to 50% of their original asking price, it's a good start, down to a 1/3 and you're doing great, any lower than that and you might want to consider becoming a trader yourself!

Jumeirah Mosque

When most people think of Jumeirah, they think of the beach or the resort hotel, but the Jumeirah mosque is an unmissable place to visit while on holiday in Dubai. It is the only mosque in Dubai which non-Muslims are permitted to enter, giving you the rare opportunity to experience the amazing architecture and religious art up close. Make sure that you dress respectfully when you visit, with clothes covering past the ankle and elbow.

Miraj Islamic Art Gallery

Art lovers on a Dubai holiday need look no further - the Miraj is one of the best collections of Islamic art in the Middle East. It has a collection of artworks from across the region; jewelled Indian dresses, Turkish brass engravings, antique carpets from Iran, and much more. It combines a mixture of older items with a contemporary section that is regularly refreshed by the galleries in house artists, and everything that you see is for sale (though the antique items are likely to be out of your price range unless you are a millionaire or an art dealer!)