With two venues, one in Doha and the other in Dubai, the Third Line Gallery works towards creating awareness about contemporary art forms. In this regard, the gallery regularly presents established and amateur artists who are eager to tap into new avenues and project new themes. And for those who love collecting modern art, this is the perfect place.
Located at the Al Quoz Industrial Area, the Green Art Gallery focuses on contemporary art. The gallery displays prominent works of various artists hailing not only from the Middle East but also from Africa, Southern Asia and even parts of Turkey. The gallery promotes every artists' research-based approach and encourages participation without age and nationality barriers. Feel free to keep a track of up-coming exhibitions on their official website. If you are an art connoisseur a visit to the Green Art Gallery is a must when in Dubai.
A dazzling one-stop destination, Global Village is a hub of entertainment, dining and shopping. This sprawling entertainment complex features individual pavilions representing countries from all around the world, each a unique architectural and cultural unit that retails specialty wares, food, and experiences from that region. You can enjoy a number of special events like concerts and kids' theater shows, as well as carnivals and festivals. If you're traveling with family, you can rediscover the charm of old-school entertainment with adventure rides and roller-coasters galore. With its larger-than-life personality, the myriad experiences it offers, and the array of cultures it represents under one roof, Global Village is nothing short of a global fair and an unmissable attraction in the city.
Shaped like a dhow (a traditional Arab sailing vessel), Dubai Opera is an architectural marvel and a marvelous landmark in The Opera District. This glass-encased state-of-the-art facility is an ode to the metropolis' maritime past and divided into the bow and hull areas. A multifaceted venue, it is among the top performing arts venue with a myriad of world class acts in its roster. There is also a rooftop restaurant offering fantastic vistas of the downtown skyline.
One of the largest sacred structures in Dubai, the Jumeirah Mosque is a significant city landmark. Built in the medieval Fatimid tradition, this mosque is a spectacular architectural wonder with its dual towering minarets that flank the mosque's engraved dome. At sundown, the mosque comes aglow with warm lights that further enhance its beauty. Besides its marvelous artistry, the mosque is renowned for yet another spectacular feature, which is the 'Open Doors, Open Minds' policy. This policy enables all visitors, regardless of their faith, to visit, explore and understand the mosque's religious and architectural significance. It is no wonder then that it is one of the city's most frequently photographed mosques. Tours are available, however, apart from the admission charge, traditional attire is a pre-requisite to gain entry to the Jumeirah Mosque, which you can borrow from the visitors' center.
Both a district and an artificial harbor landing, the Dubai Marina is considered to be one of the largest of its kind in the world. Founded in 2003, this palm-dotted marina extends for several kilometres across the city's shoreline. It is located at the base of the Palm Jumeirah, nestled between the Jebel Ali area and the industrial Al Quoz district. Among its most iconic landmarks is the Jumeirah Beach Residence, a striking waterfront neighborhood, along with several high-end hotels and dazzling apartment condos. If you wish to enjoy a day of luxurious retail therapy, then the Dubai Marina Mall located here is a shopping haven that must not be missed. You can also take in the best of Dubai's coveted skyline from the Marina's walkway, which offers fantastic views of anchored yachts and sky-high buildings.
Originally opened in 1900, the Grand Mosque of Dubai has been rebuilt in traditional Islamic architectural style. Throughout its transformations, it remained an important center of religious and cultural life. Today, with a capacity of 1200 worshipers, it is all the more an integral part of Dubai society. Non-Muslims are not permitted in the mosque. Stop by and click some pictures of this symbol of Muslim worship - it's well worth it.
A fine example of Dubai's rapid development, the majlis, meaning the meeting room, was built in the early 1950s as a resort for the late Ruler of Dubai to enjoy his summers. Located in the coastal area of Umm Suqeim, the plain yet cozy two-story stone building includes a terrace and storeroom on the ground floor. The second floor has traditional decor including Arabic-style carpets and coffee pots. The majlis gardens feature a historical point of interest in its reproduction of the traditional falaj irrigation system.
Located within the famous Alserkal Avenue, Etemad Gallery is a treat for all the art lovers. This gallery offers you the artworks of local and international talents. The exhibitions may vary from photography, sculpture, abstract, contemporary and lots more. The budding artists get a great platform to showcase their talents too. For more information, check out the website or call ahead.
Located within the Dubai International Financial Center, The Farjam Collection houses one of the most significant collections of Islamic and contemporary art in the Middle East. The expansive collection is classified into numerous sections, of which the Islamic and Middle Eastern are worth a special mention. The center regularly hosts numerous art-related events to spread awareness about Islamic art. For more information and event details, check out the website or call ahead.
Showcase is a fine art, antiques and framing gallery catering to private collectors and regularly hosting exhibitions of artists, photographers and sculptors. The gallery features a lot of collector's items in their antiques selections such as antique Middle Eastern furniture and jewelry and has a certificate of authenticity to prove their originality. They also offer numerous framing methods like box framing, traditional, stretching of oils paintings, framing of tribal jewelry and more to frame your family photo or any artwork. And if you want to source some artworks, they also have an art consulting service to assist you with this.
Probably the only place in the city that is totally dedicated to photography, Gulf Photo Plus or GPP is a must for every photography enthusiast. Their captivating exhibitions showcase renowned and upcoming photographers from across the globe while their educational programs are a great way to learn the intricacies of this art form. From photo tours to workshops and the much awaited annual GPP Photo Week, this center has carved a niche for itself in this vibrant city's artistic map.