The city has many fine mosques. One of the largest and most beautiful - Jumeirah Mosque - is a spectacular example of modern Islamic architecture.

Built of stone in medieval Fatimid tradition, the mosque with its twin minarets and majestic dome is a city landmark. It is particularly attractive at night when subtle lighting throws its artistry into relief.

The elaborate Jumeirah Mosque is Dubai's most admired mosque from the outside and one of Dubai's most photographed sights.

The souks on both sides of the Creek are attractive not just for their shopping bargains but also as places for the sightseer and photographer.

A huddle of narrow alleyways has survived on the Deira side despite intensive building in recent years. In the tiny lanes of the spice souk, the atmosphere and the scents of the past can be savoured. Bags of spices, incense, rose petals and traditional medicinal products are stacked outside each stall.

Along the slightly larger lanes of the gold souk, each shop window is crammed with gold necklaces, rings, bangles, earrings and brooches. In the evening the area is a hive of activity. Gold prices are among the lowest in the world.

In other small streets, the visitor can find shops selling nargilehs (hookah or hubble-bubble pipes) and coffee pots, and nearby tea stalls where both of these items are in daily use.

There are traditional bakeries where large flat loaves of delicious unleavened bread are baked to order inside a domed oven called tandoor. Small textile shops sell veils with decorated edges, pantaloons with embroidered anklets, and dress lengths with similarly embroidered necklines reminiscent of The Arabian Nights. On the Bur Dubai side of the Creek are lanes full of textile shops, where a blaze of colourful raw silks and cottons hang in profusion in shop windows.

The fish souk in Deira is an attraction in itself. Early in the morning and late at night, local fishermen unload mountains of fresh fish which they sell in a frenzied bargaining session. Kingfish, red snapper, rock cod (the popular hammour), barracuda, tuna, lobster, crab, king prawn, sea bream, squid, pomfret, shark, mackerel, sardine and other species are available in abundance for most of the year.

Al Fahidi Fort, which houses the Dubai Museum, is another imposing building. It once guarded the city's landward approaches. Built around 1799, it has served variously as palace, garrison and prison.

It was renovated in 1970 for use as a museum; further restoration and the addition of galleries was completed in 1995. Colourful and evocative dioramas, complete with life-size figures and sound and lighting effects, vividly depict everyday life in pre-oil days. Galleries rescenes from the Creek, traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souk, date gardens, desert and marine life.

One of the most spectacular exhibits portrays the underwater world of pearl-diving, and is accompanied by sets of pearl merchants' weights, scales and sieves.

Also on display are artefacts such as fine copper, alabaster and pottery objects found in 3,000-4,000 year-old graves at Al Ghusais. The main fort is a fascinating military museum.

A group of distinctive and remarkable modern buildings are ranged near the purpose-built dhow wharfage beside the Maktoum Bridge, including the Etisalat Tower, the Department of Economic Development, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The National Bank of Dubai headquarters and Dubai Creek Tower.

The Etisalat Tower is topped by a telecommunications dome resembling a giant golf ball - particularly striking when illuminated at night.

The Department of Economic Development is a five-storey building which features delicately designed window screens and massive decorated main doors.

By contrast, the neighbouring Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry tower is a dramatic blue glass-faced structure, a symbol of the emirate's prosperity and forward vision.

Nearby is the municipality building, which manages to convey an impression of cool shade through the use of water and screens.

The new headquarters of the National Bank of Dubai produces a shimmering reflection of the Creek through its striking use of polished steel and glass. This is also the DTCM'shead office in Dubai.

One of Dubai's greatest visitor attractions is its superb shopping. The city draws large numbers of 'shopping tourists' from countries within the region and from as far a field as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.

As an open port with low import duties, Dubai's retail prices are reasonable and the variety of products available is virtually unrivalled.

Free of tax, many top brand-name products are cheaper in Dubai than in the countries of their origin.

Whatever the visitor's tastes - be it couture from Paris or Milan, hi-tech electronics from Japan, or a piece of silver Bedouin jewellery - he or she will find it at the right price in Dubai.

Deira City Center: Welcome to Deira City Centre, the leading entertainment and leisure complex of its kind not only in the UAE but also in the Gulf. Deira City Centre has plenty to offer you - a choice of over 300 superb shops, restaurants, fast food outlets, a children's entertainment centre, the Jewelry Court, Arabian Treasures offering home furnishings, antiques, gift items and carpet and the Textile Court offering the latest range in fabrics.

BurJuman Centre: It is a classy affair with shops selling exclusive designer brands. Many of Dubai's haute couture outlets are found here as also popular American and European brands such as Bally, Calvin Klein, Escada, Guess, Mexx, Rivoli, Tiffany & Co etc. The mall has unique fountains spaced several meters apart that shoot precise jets of water at each other. BurJuman has 180 prestigious stores including designer fashions such as Donna Karan, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Cartier, Rodeo Drive, Bally, Stuart Weitzman, Polo Ralph Lauren, Escada, Christian Lacroix, Louis Vuitton, Ines de la Fressange, Aigner, MaxMara, as well as popular ready-to-wear apparel from NEXT, Agnes B, JC Penney, Guess and Morgan.

Lamcy Plaza: As an open retail display mall covering an area of 400,000 sq.ft, Lamcy Plaza offers a mix of brands catering to the needs of the entire family.

Wafi City: Regarded as one of Dubai's most elegant shopping complexes, the ideally located Wafi City Mall has always been a place where it's usual to discover the unusual. With over 200 stores featuring haute couture, popular fashions, fashion accessories, electronics, household accessories, home furnishings, gifts and leather goods, Wafi City Mall offers something for everyone.

Al Ghurair Centre: It was the first purpose-built shopping mall in Dubai. The mall has over 250 shops on two levels and sells reasonably priced goods when compared to other speciality and designer clothes stores in other malls. It is conveniently located at Riqqa Road in Deira.

Bur Dubai: Its many shops are packed with the latest in electronics, video, audio, TV systems, home appliances and photographic equipment, which are sold at competitive prices.

Karama: A general shopping complex for all kinds of goods and you can really bargain here. Carpets, clothes, jewelry, household goods you just to name it.

Deira Al Nasr Square: A heaven for electronic gadgets and carpets. You can shop for cameras, DVD-players, electronic appliances etc.

Deira Gold Souk: The shop counters at the famous Gold Souk create under the weight of tons of flashy jewellery, watches and trinkets. It is nearly always busy. Gulf brides traditionally plaster themselves in brand-new gold jewellery for their wedding, which ensures the tills keep ringing. Much of the jewellery is geared for Indian tastes (24-carat gold is very yellow) but contemporary European styles can also be found (mainly in the more shiny 22-carat gold)-at fairly reasonable prices.

Ibn Battuta Mall: This Mall is a shopping destination unlike any other. It is themed around the travels of renowned 14th century Arabian explorer, Ibn Battuta. The architecture within the mall's six courts reflects the most influential places Ibn Battuta traveled during his time, providing mall visitors an invaluable glimpse into the past.

Mall of the Emirates: The ultimate leisure, entertainment and shopping resort opened on 28th September'2005, and is the largest shopping centre outside of North America. Strategically located in the heart of what is now deemed 'New Dubai', this 223,000 square meter centre offers a full range of shopping leisure, and entertainment.

Mall of the Emirates is home to over 400 retailers and also features a complete range of entertainment options including Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski destination in the Middle East, a two-level Magic Planet, the largest indoor family entertainment centre in the country, a 14-screen Cinestar Cinemas and the Dubai Community Arts and Theatre with a 500 seat-theatre and art gallery. It also has 65 restaurants and coffee shops with everything from fast food to themed restaurants and exclusive dinning alternatives.