Old is certainly gold when considering Old Dubai. It’s often presumed that the two parts of the city are worlds apart. However, you would be shocked to realize the extent to which the old influences the new and vice versa. Dubai is not a modern marvel but a city that has gradually grown to stupendous proportions. Explore Old Dubai and this fact will become clearer, as it was the commercial hub that established the city’s presence in the global market. PER AQUUM Hotels & Resorts have also made their presence known in Dubai. Luxury resorts of this nature thrive in the city and will continue to do so in the future. However, it is only when the history of a city is dug up that the present becomes more fascinating.
The Bastakiya area of Old Dubai must be traversed if you want to gain an understanding of the architecture and history of Old Dubai. A few buildings of significance are the Al Fahidi Fort, the house of Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum who was the ruler of Dubai from 1912-1958, the Dubai Museum and last but not least the Dubai Creek. The creek is still operational, however, in its heyday it brought merchants and goods from the world over.
Contemporary art has not succeeded in displacing older art forms. The Majlis, the city’s first gallery is still being used and is a hive of activity during the Sikka Art Fair. Old Dubai in its entirety comes alive during this period every year. It is the perfect time to compare art forms and their evolution.
Eating and drinking in Old Dubai is also a tantalizing experience. There are many noteworthy restaurants that serve the best of many worlds. As for the nightlife, Old Dubai is the best. The lights are dimmer and the alleyways come alive with dance.
The new Dubai certainly could not have been born without the influence of the old.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
