In just a few decades, Dubai has become a major flight tickets destination, popular for its glitzy opulence as well as its striking desert landscape and picturesque beaches. Just 50 years ago, all this was a sleepy desert village, with residents making a living from sheep herding or working on trading routes. With the discovery of oil in 1961, this tiny city exploded into a wealthy metropolis. Instead of reading to learn about Dubai’s history, you can see it all in one extensive museum. Dubai Museum is housed in the oldest building in Dubai, the Al Fahidi Fort built in 1799, and has artifacts from the last three millenia of Dubai’s history. It is easily accessible, just across from the Grand Mosque. Book cheap airfares for flights to Dubai and witness the origins of this amazing city.
This is the oldest museum in Dubai and widely considered to be the best. Despite its relatively short existence (the museum was opened by Dubai’s ruler in 1971), the museum has impressive collections with some artifacts dating as far back as 3000 B.C. In one hall, see a model of the city as it appeared in 1820. In another, admire old musical instruments while you listen to traditional folk music. In the relaxing courtyard, see cannons and various types of boats once used for trading. There is also a traditional Arab summer house here, or Arish, made of woven palm fronds. You’ll be able to see a sizable collection of weaponry, including swords, spears, shields, axes and more.
One of the most unique aspects of the museum are its dioramas, life-size exhibits complete with sound and video clips to demonstrate life before the era of oil. One of these is a traditional souk, or Arab marketplace. Watch a tailor, a carpenter, an ironsmith and other craftsmen at work. Another diorama focuses on the seafaring life in the Emirates, with a traditional dhow boat and fishing equipment. There is even a diorama of an archaeological dig, demonstrating the dig sites where some of the museum’s oldest artifacts were found. The desert life depictions are lots of fun, with Bedouin tents and models of people going about their daily life in the desert. Check out cheap airfare tickets and plan your cheap flights to Dubai to take advantage of the amazing and family-friendly cultural heritage exhibits at the Dubai Museum.
Each day, about 1,800 visitors come to Dubai Museum, most of them tourists who have arrived on flights to Dubai from all over the world. Since part of the museum is outside in the open, you may want to try to avoid paying a visit during the hottest weeks of summer. Find the best airfares for cheap tickets to Dubai and take a trip back in time at Dubai Museum.