The glamorous Dubai that you see today is very different from what it used to be decades ago. The city has a very interesting cultural history and stories behind the transformation it took from being a mere desert to a busy metropolis with some of the tallest skyscrapers around the world. While Dubai’s present is breathtaking, its history is just as interesting, and if interested, you can find yourself floating in its depth. Part of this past is the Dubai Heritage and Diving Village, a living, vibrant museum where you’ll be able to travel back in time to what life must have been like in Dubai during its early days.
You can see artisans like potters and weavers at work in this place, you can also read about Dubai’s pearl diving industry that was a big part of the state revenues in years past. Now, are you planning for a visit to the Dubai Heritage and Diving Village? Then here are all the things you need to know and more.
The village was established in the year 1997 and was made to display the living style of the native people residing in this city. The village shows stone buildings and tents in a typical rural environment, and the visitors stepping inside get transported back in time as they experience exactly how the people of Dubai lived in times gone by. Visiting this village is very much like entering the beautiful Al Seef Street in Dubai, where entering into the bygone era greets the visitor with a dreamlike atmosphere, hard to describe.
The village encompasses gatherings and performances to breathe the culture and history of the region into visitors. You can see here some of the old-time agricultural methods and artisans specialized in potteries, jewelry making, and the traditional whistling on reed, once practiced by the local people. You may even buy them as souvenirs along with the sweets and other traditional products on offer there.
The Dubai Heritage and Diving Village is a restored cultural enclave that takes its visitors right back in time, handing you a very clear close-up of ancient Emirate living. This almost 3,000-year-old heritage village houses traditional architecture, local customs, and tradition within a beautifully conserved ambiance. Nestled among the rugged Hajar Mountains, the village assumes a stunning natural setting which adds to the area’s historical allure.
The site presents a group of real farms along a peaceful freshwater canal that showcases the agricultural history of the region. Equally, traditional Emirati restaurants can be found in the village, making the experience even more captivating. It is further complemented by an archaeological cemetery within its rural setting, hence making the Dubai Heritage and Diving Village a must visit destination where culture and history blend with nature for an experience that would be worth remembering.
If you’re new to the city, then check out our Ultimate Dubai Travel Guide to help you make the most of your time. Starting from mainstays of the place to where you must dine and shop, we’ve covered it all so as to ensure that your visit is entertaining and hassle-free. Whether you come for a few days or on an extended trip, our guide will give you the best tips so that getting around Dubai is like being at home, wherever that may be.
Here and now, we have gathered some of the best things to do in Dubai Heritage and Diving Village, where one can get up-close and personal with traditional Emirati life. Here are some examples:
Dubai Heritage and Diving Village forms the venue where many of these local artists accomplished in weaving techniques for carpets, baskets, and other things can be found. These belong to families that have dealt with weaving over generations, bringing skills of craftsmanship that were carried out through many centuries. This is a unique experience, and by taking some time to talk to the artisans, you will be able to appreciate the history underlying these crafts. You can also buy some of the brilliant products on sale as your souvenirs to take back home.
One of the traditional craftsmanship you will see in Dubai Heritage and Diving Village is pottery. This art form has many local artisans who show their skills within the village. You also get to be part of the workshops where you try your hand at pottery or simply make a small cup for yourself. A fun activity that could be enjoyed by all is a perfect idea if you’re visiting with children; they truly will enjoy learning this skill and maybe even finding out how to mold clays.
At the Dubai Heritage and Diving Village, you will get a proper taste of times of yore and how local people used to live. You can catch a glimpse of traditions that date back to being passed down in generations. This will be an experience that will long be remembered because, as much as modern urban life in Dubai is fascinating and popular, this village depicts another deeper, more traditional feature in the history of the city.
The Dubai Heritage and Diving Village is home to a lot of animals taken care of by the villagers, such as camels and horses. There is even a small pool with ducks that you can feed. You may also enjoy camel or horse rides, making the time extra special for your trip to Dubai.
Dubai Heritage and Diving Village hosts food stalls and restaurants with so much variation. Some of the traditional dishes one can have are as follows:
The Dubai Heritage and Diving Village is located at Al Shindagha Street in Bur Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Give our latest guide on How to Use Public Transportation in Dubai a read if it pleases you to get there fast and safe. You can also check the entrance fee and visiting hours below:
There is a remarkable difference between Hatta vs Dubai Heritage Village in nature; both are representatives of UAE’s diverse culture and nature in different ways. It is a mountainous region and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts who love to hike, mountain bike, and kayak. Its rugged landscape and serene environment provide a refreshing escape from urban life. There are quite a number of cultural landmarks to explore, such as Hatta Heritage Village, which gives visitors an idea of the traditional Emirati way of life.
Contrasting this, Dubai Heritage Village, set up in 1997, is an outstanding replica of a countryside setting amidst the city. The village represents Dubai life as it once was-the stone buildings and tents have all been sandblasted, giving much of the village an air of age. Old-time crafts in Dubai include pottery, weaving, and jewelry; likewise, guests can also experience these in Dubai’s cultural past.
While both places symbolize UAE heritage, Hatta does it with nature and adventure, Dubai Heritage Village by preserving the traditional customs. Combined, they would be a harmonious blend of past and present, inviting one to appreciate not only the cultural roots of the UAE but also its stunning landscapes.
The Dubai Heritage and Diving Village has been affecting the local real estate market a great deal, as the interest in the culturally rich parts of this metropolis started to grow considerably. Located in the Al Shindagha Historic District, the heritage site represents Dubai’s traditional culture, thus attracting both tourists and investors. Any property near the Dubai Heritage and Diving Village, for investors, is a long-term asset, drawing its benefits both from the rental yield and value appreciation because of the constant tourist inflow. In a broader sense, the Dubai property prices closer to such sites are ever on the rise, adding cultural weight to the real estate market and making the city far more attractive to a diversified pool of investors.
To see and experience the history and heritage of a place gives you a deep understanding of the local values and community spirit, something which Dubai has always cherished. If you are in search of a place which mingles all the distinctive components of the wild nature together and whisks you into a time capsule, bringing to life an ancient market, a mosque, and an Emirati camp, then Heritage and Diving Village in Dubai is the right place to visit on your upcoming trip. It is a site that will enrich one’s visit with meaningful insights into Dubai’s past, enabling you to appreciate the extraordinary journey this city has undertaken.
The Heritage and Diving Village present many cultural attractions to showcase traditional lifestyle, crafts, and history of the region. Opened in 1997, this re-creation village holds home reconstructions, artisans' workshops, and exhibitions that give visitors a glimpse into the past. Here, one can weave carpets with active artisans at the Heritage and Diving Village, try out pottery making, and look at traditional crafts.
There is a fee to enter the Heritage and Diving Village: ticket prices are 60 AED for adults; children under the age of three go in free, at a cost of 30 AED. These ticket prices give access to all the exhibitions and activities in the village.
Heritage and Diving Village is ideally visited during the cooler winter months starting from November up until March. During this period, the weather remains pleasant, and touring its open areas becomes much easier without suffering the the extreme summer temperatures.
There are a number of food stalls and restaurants in Heritage and Diving Village serving traditional Emirati cuisine. Visitors can have hummus, shawarma, a variety of seafood, and many other dishes with local spices and ingredients that give a real taste of Dubai's culinary heritage.
