Although Dubai attracts millions of visitors every year, it has less in the way of classic sightseeing than many other major city destinations; however, what the city lacks in museums and galleries, it more than makes up for with sheer atmosphere. The city's attractions are roughly divided into two areas, with Deira, on the right bank of the creek, offering bustling streets and the best souks, while Bur Dubai, on the left bank, is home to many of the city's most popular attractions. Visitors should note that many of Dubai's tourist attractions are spread throughout the city, making it difficult to explore on foot.

Al-Fahidi Fort and Dubai Museum
The Al-Fahidi Fort is the city's oldest building and although it was originally built as a defence against Dubai's warlike neighbours, it has since been used for various purposes including a jail, an ammunition store, the rulers' residence and the seat of government, while its present function is to provide a home for the Dubai Museum. The museum houses a vast collection of artefacts covering every aspect of Dubai's colourful history and culture, with separate sections including a slightly chilling collection of knives, swords and other weaponry, and a more light-hearted selection of musical instruments. The museum is located on Al-Fahidi road.

Bastakiya Old Town
This old residential district of Bur Dubai dates back to the early 20th century and has recently been renovated to give visitors an insight into the lives of the city's rich merchants, who once made their home here. Although the area is quite small, it is well worth spending sometime exploring the winding streets and alleys of this atmospheric district, with the traditional design of the courtyard houses providing a stark contrast to the modern city that surrounds them. One of the most fascinating aspects of the area is the old roof top wind towers, known as badger, which provided natural air-conditioning to the city's houses before the oil boom took off. The renovation of the Bastakiya area has also seen many of the old houses in the district converted into shops, cafés and galleries.

Grand Mosque
The Grand Mosque was rebuilt in the 1990s in order to recreate the style of the city's original Grand Mosque, which was demolished in 1960. The visually striking building contains nine large domes and 45 smaller ones as well as the city's tallest minaret (230 feet high), while the massive complex is capable of holding up to 1,200 worshippers at any one time. Although the interior of the building is off limits to non-Muslims, it is still worth visiting to see the fascinating exterior. You will find the Grand Mosque located on Ali Ibin Ali Talib street.

Jumeirah Mosque
Jumeirah Mosque is one of the best examples of modern Islamic architecture in the Middle East and is probably the most photographed building in the city. The mosque is built entirely of stone in the medieval Fatimid style, with beautiful twin minarets that dominate the surrounding skyline, particularly at night, when the whole building glows with subtle lighting. Unfortunately, non-Muslims are forbidden from entering the mosque; however, the Jumeirah Mosque does allow entry to visitors on organised tours which are designed to promote understanding of the Muslim culture; interested visitors should contact the city's Tourist Information Center for more details. The mosque is located on Al-Jumeirah road.

Narish Khyma
After a visit to the Dubai Museum, it is worth taking the time to visit the nearby Narish Khyma Museum, which is located within a traditional Arab summer house. The museum houses a fine collection of traditional boats including a replica of a passenger ferry, or abra, which once transported Dubai's residents across the creek.

Souks
Traditional Arab markets, known as souks, can be found all over the city, with the busiest and most interesting located on the Deira side of the creek. The most popular souk in this area is the Spice Souk, which not only sells every conceivable type of seasoning, but it also sells glassware, clothing, rugs and traditional handicrafts. Other souks to look out for in the Deira area include the Gold Souk, where you can haggle for items made of every type and colour of gold imaginable, while the souks selling perfumes and electronics are also situated close by and are worth visiting for the chance of picking up a bargain or two.

Head to one of the city's many parks; the huge Creekside Park is one of the most popular with locals and visitors alike. The park is comprised of 96 hectares of lawns and botanical gardens that are well stocked with picnic tables and barbecue sites, while other facilities include an 18-hole mini-golf course, fishing areas, children's play area, jogging tracks and a 1,200-seat amphitheatre.

Go skiing. Considering the city's desert location, one of the more bizarre yet exhilarating activities on offer in Dubai is the Ski Dubai Complex. Ski Dubai is the only indoor ski centre in the Middle East and offers skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing and plain old fun in the snow for all people of all ages and abilities.

Visit the Arabian Desert. It offers visitors endless potential for exploring one of the world's harshest yet most beautiful environments, with camel trekking, sand boarding and four-wheel drive exploration all popular options. One of the best options for a full day excursion is to join one of the off road tours that head towards the Hajar Mountains along the border with Oman. After driving through stunning mountainous terrain, the tour culminates with a visit to the hill town of Hatta, which has been redeveloped in order to recreate the traditional mountain oasis feel.