One of the top things to do in Dubai is simply taking a peek into its past. Wander the narrow alleys of historical Al Bastakiya in the oldest part of the city, where restored old wind tower houses (built for natural ventilation) are now home to museums, galleries, cafés and teahouses. At the Dubai Museum, visitors can tour a traditional home, market, school, date farm and mosque to see Dubai as it once was – a pearl diving and fishing village.

Get a taste of Emirati heritage with a traditional meal at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. In this wind tower house, you can talk with a local host about Emirati life, traditional dress, religion, customs, and cultural etiquette. Take your cultural journey a step further with a guided tour of the Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque and Center or the Grand Jumeirah Mosque.