Blending Heritage & Modernity: Touring Old Town, Souks & the Museum of the Future

When someone says Dubai, all you think of are skyscrapers and technologically advanced constructions. However, there is more to Dubai than simply advanced technology and modernity. Before the 21^st Century, Dubai was a laidback city with a traditional vibe. Part of Dubai remains preserved to this day. Read on to learn more about Dubai’s blending of heritage & modernity: touring old town, souks, & the Museum of the Future.

Blending Heritage & Modernity: Touring Old Town & Souks

What is Old Dubai?

Old Dubai is where you can experience what the city looked like and what living in it felt like before the technological advancements began to conquer it. Old Town is located approximately 10 km north of downtown Dubai, where most tourists are concentrated. It is situated right next to the Dubai Creek. The old town is separated into two parts, one on each side of the creek.

The north side of the creek is where you will find all the popular souks like the gold souk, spice souk, and more. The south side of the river is where you will find the famous old town neighbourhoods like Al Fahidi and Al Seef.

Dubai Creek

Dubai Creek is one of the most scenic attractions in the city, and it is one that you must not miss at any cost. Its backdrop of the Al Fahidi historic neighbourhood makes it the perfect location to capture amazing photographs of your trip in Dubai. Moreover, you can take a ride on an abra boat to enjoy a scenic journey as you float through the river. The abra boat ride takes you from the northern part of old Dubai to the southern part of it. It is a fascinating journey to take and will cost you only about $0.30. The boats depart every 5 to 10 minutes from the creek, which means that you don’t have to wait for long until it’s your turn.

Al Seef

Al Seef isn’t as old as most other parts of old Dubai. In fact, this place is a perfect example of blending heritage & modernity. You can find modern restaurants and cafes, such as Starbucks, which is popular for its distinctive exterior appearance. Additionally, you can find shops offering great bargains, as shopping in Al Seef is relatively cheaper than shopping on the other side of the creek. The neighbourhood is also the perfect place to capture some Instagram-worthy photos.

Al Fahidi Fort

Al Fahidi is a historical neighbourhood located next to Al Seef in Dubai. It is the historical heart of old Dubai, featuring many popular attractions, including the Dubai Museum, the Arabian Tea House, the Coffee Museum, and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding. Built in 1787, Al Fahidi Fort is the oldest building in Dubai. This fortified residence of the ruler also served as a prison and an armoury.

Dubai Museum

The Dubai Museum, located in Al Fahidi Fort, was built in 1787. It is the main museum in Dubai, aiming to exhibit the traditional way of life in the United Arab Emirates. It consists of galleries that showcase the country’s general culture, particularly in the 19^th century. Moreover, the museum has artifacts from various Asian and African countries that traded with Dubai. Highlights of the exhibits include pearl diving boats, jewelry, swords, and a spice souk filled with authentic spices and genuine aromas.

Dubai Gold Souk

Dubai Gold Souk is a popular souk where both locals and tourists prefer to shop for shine. It’s a unique souk full of high-end jewelry. Haggling is not very common in these souks, but you can try to negotiate for a better price. Here, you can find a wide variety of jewelry, ranging from simple chains to intricately designed and unique necklaces.

Dubai Spice Souk

Going past the gold souk, you will find the aromatic spice souk in Dubai. This souk is renowned for its wide selection of fragrant spices. Not only are these spice displays aromatic, but they are also colourful and eye-catching. Remember to smell these spices and choose your favourites when buying from the shops here. Moreover, make sure to bargain to get the best prices for every type of spice you buy.

Grand Souk

Grand Souk is the best place to buy bags, shoes, hats, blouses, scarves, burkas, souvenirs, lanterns, and more. It offers these items and more at reasonable prices. Also, you can get henna paintings on your hands whilst you are there. It’s the ideal place to shop for traditional Arabian wear, including abaya blouses, tunics, and more.

Textile Souk

The Textile Souk is the place to go if you want to purchase larger items, such as carpets, rugs, pillowcases, fabrics, and more. Additionally, you can get your hands on souvenirs like lanterns, hand-painted bowls, and more at this souk. It is a great place to purchase a variety of items at reasonable prices.

Blending Heritage & Modernity: Dubai Frame

The Dubai Frame is one of the city’s more modern attractions. Watch as the city has evolved over the years, from Old Dubai to New Dubai, within this expansive frame. It is an iconic attraction in Dubai that a large number of tourists visit every year. This 150-meter-tall structure holds the record for the world’s largest frame. Located in Zabeel Park, Dubai, it serves as a museum, observatory, and monument. The Dubai Frame is the perfect spot to experience the blending of heritage and modernity in Dubai.

Blending Heritage & Modernity: Museum of the Future

The Museum of the Future offers an immersive experience for visitors, transporting them to the year 2071. It explores cutting-edge technological advancements and innovations. This building follows unique and stunning architecture, making it well worth a visit. Museum of the Future consists of five levels, each representing a chapter as follows:

• Chapter 5: Level 1: Future Heroes
• Chapter 4: Level 2: Tomorrow Today
  • Futuristic Technology
  • Viewing Deck
• Chapter 3: Level 3: Al Waha
• Chapter 2: Level 4: The Heal Institute
  • The Garden

Value of Life

• Ecosystem Simulator

• Chapter 1: Level 5: OSS Hope
  • Space Shuttle Simulation
  • Space Station Command Center
  • Pioneer Application

Conclusion

Old Town and New Dubai are great examples of blending heritage and modernity in this futuristic city. From Al Fahidi Fort to Al Seef, the Gold Souk, Spice Souk, Dubai Frame, and the Museum of the Future, there is a wealth of attractions to explore in this vibrant destination.