No list of activities and attractions in Dubai is complete without a mention of this ethnic neighborhood. Otherwise known as the historic Al Fahidi district, it lies in the heart of old Dubai, and a visit here is like entering a completely different era. In this old-fashioned part of the city, you can expect simple but charming buildings that the merchants of the Bastak region built in the 19th century.

What makes these structures a strange pleasure to look at is the subtle shade of the sand, complemented by wind towers that once kept residents cool naturally against the desert heat (without the use of air conditioners). Most of them now serve as large museums, art galleries, traditional art cafes, etc.

So don’t miss your walk this quarter and be sure to visit the Dubai Museum and the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding for a quick overview of the region’s history, culture and traditional way of life.