Uncover the city’s rich heritage and vibrant arts scene
The Middle East’s most spectacular museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi traces the entire history of humanity’s artistic achievements, from the Neolithic right up to the current day. The wealth and diversity of art on display, from ancient Egyptian statuary to famous paintings by Picasso, is mind-boggling, while the museum’s contemporary architecture, with its galleries gathered under a vast silver dome, and is a reason to visit in itself. Category: Art/Archeological museum, Antiquities, Adventure Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
Jumeirah Mosque is considered by many to be the most beautiful of Dubai’s mosques. An exact copy of Cairo’s Al-Azhar Mosque, which is eight times its size, the Jumeirah Mosque is a fine example of Islamic architecture. This stone structure is built in the medieval Fatimid tradition, with two minarets that display the subtle details in the stonework. It is particularly attractive in the evening when lit with floodlights. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
The Al Fahidi Quarter (previously known, and sometimes still referred to as the Bastakia neighborhood) was built in the late 19th century to be the home of wealthy Persian merchants who dealt mainly in pearls and textiles and were lured to Dubai because of the tax-free trading and access to Dubai Creek. Al Fahidi occupies the eastern portion of Bur Dubai along the creek, and the coral and limestone buildings here, many with walls topped with wind-towers, have been excellently preserved. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
About 12 kilometers north of Ras Al-Khaimah city, near the Hajar Mountains, the little village of Shimal is the site of several hundred pre-Islamic tombs and a settlement that has been dated from 2000-1300 BC. The area is one of the most important archaeological sites in the United Arab Emirates, though visitors will probably have to be avid history lovers to appreciate the site. Pottery, stone vessels, weapons made of bronze and copper, and beads have all been uncovered from archaeological digs. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
About 26 kilometers southeast of Ras Al-Khaimah, Khatt Springs is an area of mineral-rich hot pools, where the water is noted for its relaxing and therapeutic properties. Khatt lies amid an oasis, backed by barren mountains. The hot-spring waters are pumped into pools (segregated by gender). The facilities are a bit tired these days, but if you just want a quick soak in the hot water to soothe tired joints from traveling, they’re still worth a stop. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
This abandoned village with its slowly decaying houses of traditional coral-block architecture sits about 20 kilometers south from Ras Al-Khaimah city. Jazirat al-Hamra was fishing and pearling village that was founded in the 16th century. With the demise of the pearling industry and the beginning of the oil boom, the village’s inhabitants abandoned it in the 1960s. Due to the dry desert climate, a lot of the coral-block architecture is well preserved, so visitors can get a real sense of what traditional Emirati village life would have looked like. The village mosque has also been fully restored in recent years. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
The Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum is in a fort that was the residence of the ruling family up until the early 1960s. The museum houses an excellent collection of archaeological and ethnological artifacts. The Qawasim Room on the first floor is particularly interesting, with a collection of documents, manuscripts, and treaties between the rulers of Ras Al-Khaimah and Great Britain. There are also exhibits of traditional weapons belonging to the ruling family, as well as archaeological displays about the earliest settlers in the area up to the late Islamic period. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
This 16th-century mud-brick fort, about 20 kilometers north of Ras Al-Khaimah city, was built in a strategic hilltop position facing the gulf to defend the region from attack by the British. As a defensive military tower, the Dhayah Fort played an important role in the history of Ras Al-Khaimah. Other ruined fortifications and watchtowers can be seen to the south of the hill. A battle in 1891 between the emirate and British forces resulted in the destruction of much of the fortifications here. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
Nicknamed the “garden city,” Al Ain lives up to its reputation. Throughout the city area, you’ll find parks of manicured gardens and lush green lawns, which contrast vibrantly with the dry and parched desert surroundings.Many public gardens and parks offer welcome shade on long, hot summer days. Several are endowed with weird (and slightly over-the-top) landscaping elements, impressive fountains with lighting displays at night, and playground facilities for children. The Central Public Garden in the center of town is one of the best for a stroll. Category: Leisure, Adventure, Sightseeing Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
At Hili Archaeological Park, archaeologists have excavated finds dating back to the Bronze and Iron ages.Although many casual visitors will struggle to comprehend the site, which consists of Umm Al Nar period tombs, archaeology fiends will enjoy the vast sense of history here. It is mostly because of the important discoveries found here that Al Ain has been inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.The park lies amid a protected area. Most of the finds from the site are on display at Al Ain National Museum, which does a great job of putting the site into context. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
This traditional mud-brick fort has been restored to its former glory and offers a good chance to appreciate Emirati fortification architecture.It was built during the early years of the 20th century and was home to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan and his family between the years of 1946 and 1966, before he became ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Inside, as well as admiring the building itself, you can visit a small museum dedicated to the history of the fort and the lives of the ruling Al Nahyan family.Just outside the fort is a courtyard with a modern recreation of the Emirati falaj (irrigation canal) system. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
The Al Ain Palace Museum is the former residence of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan and his family, who went on to become the first ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.The interior of some of the palace compound has been finely restored to reflect what the palace would have looked like when the Sheikh called it home. Unfortunately, information throughout the rooms is sparse for those who don’t speak Arabic. Nevertheless, the interior decoration really does give you a good idea of the style of life that was led here, and it provides an opportunity to view Emirati traditional architecture. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
The Al Ain National Museum, housed in the Sultan Bin Zayed Fort, does a good job of bringing the heritage, culture, and history of the United Arab Emirates alive.There is a particularly interesting ethnographic section reflecting the daily life of the region’s people, with a reconstructed traditional majlis and exhibits of traditional garments and Bedouin jewelry. In the archaeological section are displays of local artifact discoveries that date back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, including pendants and an important coin collection.The main attraction of this section, though, is the exhibits from the nearby Hili Archaeological Park, including the restored Grand Hili tomb unearthed at the site. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
This much restored fortress, surrounded by some tranquil, shaded gardens in the central city, dates back to 1891 and was once an important defensive feature protecting the town from attack. Today, it’s one of Al Ain’s major points of interest, and inside its stocky golden-bricked bulk, you’ll find an exhibit devoted to photographs depicting the life and work of British adventurer, desert explorer, and writer Wilfred Thesiger, with a particular focus on his journeys into the Empty Quarter during the 1940s.The fort’s ramparts and towers can be climbed for views, and a video explains all about the fort’s restoration in the information center. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
The Al Noor Mosque is the only mosque in Sharjah open to non-Muslims.Anyone interested in digging a bit deeper into the heritage of the United Arab Emirates and wanting to learn a little about Islamic beliefs would find a visit here a worthy addition to their Sharjah itinerary. Non-Muslims can visit the mosque on a tour, which takes place every Monday at 10am and includes a discussion on Islamic and Emirati history, culture, and traditions.The mosque itself is a modern construction (built in 2005) and modeled on classical Ottoman style, with slender, pointed minarets, typical of Ottoman mosque architecture. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
Sharjah Archaeology Museum has exhibits tracing the wide-arcing history of humanity in the area.Displays in the Stone Age section include numerous flint pieces reflecting the technology of that period, and old seashells. There are also ornamental gems and pottery shards from the Ubaid period that were found in Al Hamriyah and confirm the trade exchange of this age with Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq). The Bronze Age Hall features archaeological finds of pottery, metals, stone, and jewelry, while the Iron Age Hall features two of the museum’s prize pieces: a camel statue and a ceramic dome that both come from the Muweilah archaeological site. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
As a settlement, Sharjah has always been linked closely to the water, and the Aquarium and Maritime Museum highlights the importance of the sea in the city’s development.For kids, the aquarium is the main attraction, and hosts around 150 species of sea life, including reef sharks and stingrays. The connected Maritime Museum hosts interesting exhibits on traditional wooden dhows, as well as pearl collecting and fishing – all once important to the economy here.Highlights include the collection of glimmering pearls (including what is thought to be the oldest pearl ever collected in the world) and the beautiful wooden dhow docked outside the museum. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature, Sightseeing Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
Sharjah Fort (called Al Hisn in Arabic) sits on a plaza at the corner of the Heritage District.The fort was built 200 years ago and has served as both a defensive facility for the town and as the traditional residence of the ruling family of Sharjah. Inside, the rooms contain themed displays tracing the history of Sharjah, as well as the town’s importance as part of the Gulf’s trade networks.One exhibit details the painstaking restoration of the building in the late 20th century. From the roof, there are great views across the Heritage District and out to the sea. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
Sharjah’s Mleiha Archaeological Site is one of the best places to visit in the UAE to both learn about the deep history of the Arabian Peninsula and to add some desert activities into your vacation.Mleiha is near the small settlement of Maleha, 60 kilometers east from Sharjah city. Mleiha’s museum and visitor center at the site entrance offer a thorough rundown of the site’s history and heritage, and arranges a variety of tours for exploring the surrounding area with its orange sand dunes and craggy rock outcrops.Desert activities include 4WD tours across the sand dunes, horse riding desert tours, and treks. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
The Sharjah Heritage Area is small, restored neighborhood in downtown Sharjah, stretching from the waterfront to Sharjah’s fort. Inside the district, a number of traditional Emirati houses have been preserved and now are home to museums.Three of the museums are well worth a visit for insights on Emirati heritage. The Sharjah Heritage Museum hosts exhibits covering all facets of traditional Emirati life. The Calligraphy Museum explores this Arab art form, with galleries hung with work from the Arab world’s finest calligraphy artists. And Bait Al Naboodah is a finely restored traditional family villa, once home to the Al-Shamsi family. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Sightseeing Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is a good place to dive into the deep roots of Arab and Islamic culture.A number of scientific and religious manuscripts, as well as a collection of Islamic arts and craft work dating from the 7th to the 19th centuries are on display. Features of particular note include the exhibit of clay, pottery, and glass, as well as metallic handicrafts inlaid with silver, gold, and brass, and the collection of astrolabes. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Nature, Sightseeing Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
One of the largest arts museums in the United Arab Emirates, this state-of-the-art facility opened in 1997 and features a permanent collection, as well as a program of temporary exhibits.The galleries, spread over three floors, focus on works by Arab artists from throughout the Arab world. The permanent collection includes a gallery wing devoted to artworks from the Barjeel Collection displaying an array of significant contemporary art from the Middle East. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Sightseeing Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
The 18th-century fortress that was once Ajman’s first line of defense now houses the emirate’s museum. The ethnographical exhibit gallery here focuses on the traditional local lifestyle, with dioramas of typical day-to-day Emirati life before the oil boom. There’s also a small archaeological gallery, which despite its size displays a wealth of finds from Ajman’s nearby archaeological sites that will be of major interest to history fans. Much of the archaeological gallery is dedicated to artifacts hailing from the Mowaihat site on the outskirts of Ajman city, which was discovered in 1986 when workers were laying a new sewage pipe. A circular Umm al-Nar-type tomb was uncovered, and a rescue excavation commenced. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Sightseeing Book With Us And Book It Out Of Here! For More Info Contact Us On:
Umm Al-Quwain’s Al-Ali Fort, built in 1768, once guarded the entrance to the old town by overseeing both the sea and the creek. The facade, with its two rounded towers has been well restored, and the interior is now used as Umm Al-Quwain’s museum. Inside, the exhibits focus mainly on local archaeological sites with some exceptional artifacts hailing from the excavation work carried out at the nearby Al-Dur and Tell Abraq sites. Anyone with an interest in ancient history will appreciate a visit here. Al-Dur was a once-important town dating back 2,000 years. Items uncovered at Al-Dur include tombs, stone houses, large storage jars, and glassware from Egypt and Syria. Some of the earthenware uncovered is a beautiful orange with black painted design that has become known as a typical Al-Dur decorative practice. Category: Culture, Heritage Attraction, Sightseeing
