Dubai has come a long way in building its reputation as a city of modernity and innovation. But this doesn’t mean it has abandoned its unique cultural roots. In fact, amidst the skyscrapers and modern infrastructure, you can still experience more than a slice of Dubai’s rich cultural tapestry. Here are a few suggestions for exploring the city’s traditional side.
Enjoy Arabic Coffee
Stop by Dubai’s Coffee Museum around 20 minutes from Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel and explore the long history of the coffee bean. Learn of its humble origins in Ethiopia and how it reached the Arabian peninsula. Discover the unique coffee culture that now thrives in Dubai and enjoy more than a sip of coffee varieties in the city.
Feast on Emirati Cuisine
Explore a full menu of Emirati delights at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). Enjoy a hearty breakfast, lunch or dinner stacked with local dishes prepared using traditional family recipes for a taste of Dubai’s culinary wonder.
Stay Overnight in the Desert
Leave your hotel in downtown Dubai for one night under the stars surrounded by sprawling desert landscapes. Experience a glimpse of Bedouin life as you sit around a bonfire in a traditional majlis or discover the terrain’s resident animals during a peaceful evening walk before heading into an Arabic tent for a restful sleep.
Visit a Mosque
Learn about the religious traditions practised in Dubai by visiting the Jumeirah Mosque which welcomes visitors with open arms. Be part of a tour conducted by the SMCCU and admire the mosque’s impressive architecture and the Islamic culture that is infused with it.
