Even though it’s mostly famous for its modern architecture, fantastic restaurants, and luxury stores, Dubai is also home to a range of fascinating museums. Whether you’re a history buff or a coffee lover, the city’s museums cater to various interests.
We’ve compiled a list of the best Dubai museums, including the spectacular Dubai Museum Of The Future, the largest coffee museum in the Middle East called Dubai Coffee Museum, and the mysterious Saruq Al Hadid Museum.
Quick Jumplinks
8 Most Fascinating Dubai Museums
Dubai Museum
KEY INFO
| 📍 Address | Opp. Grand Mosque – Al Fahidi St. Get Directions |
| 🚉 Getting There | Take Line M2 to Emirates Towers. |
| 🤑 Ticket Price | AED 3 |
| ⏰ Opening Horus | Saturday to Thursday from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm; Friday from 2:30 pm to 8:30 pm |
The fascinating Dubai Museum is located in Al Fahidi Fort, which was built in 1787 and is famous for being the oldest existing building in Dubai.
It houses local antiques and artifacts from Asian and African countries, galleries that recreate historic Arab houses, souks, and mosques, tells the story of desert and marine life, and explores the history of pearl diving.
Please note that the museum is currently under renovation and closed until further notice. You can still admire the old fort from the outside.
Best Hotels Near Dubai Museum
Dubai Coffee Museum
KEY INFO
| 📍 Address | Historical Neighborhood, Bastakiya, Villa 44 – Al Hisn St – Al Fahidi. Get Directions |
| 🚉 Getting There | Take Line M2 to Baniyas Square Metro Station. |
| 🤑 Ticket Price | Free |
| ⏰ Opening Horus | Saturday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm |
Situated in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Dubai Coffee Museum is the largest coffee museum in the Middle East.
The wonderful museum features a wide range of regional and international coffee antiques related to coffee history and culture. Coffee lovers can relish delicious roasted coffee and coffee drinks and take a piece of this experience home by purchasing an item at the on-site coffee gift shop.
Etihad Museum
KEY INFO
| 📍 Address | 1 Jumeirah St – Al Mina. Get Directions |
| 🚉 Getting There | Take Line M1 to World Trade Centre Metro Station. |
| 🤑 Ticket Price | AED 25 |
| ⏰ Opening Horus | Monday to Sunday from 10 am 5 pm |
Ethiad Museum is also known as the Union House, the al-Diyafah Palace, and the Jumeirah Guesthouse. It resides in a stunning building designed by Moriyama & Teshima.
The ultra-modern museum features high-tech displays of the history of the United Arab Emirates and takes visitors on a unique journey.
There are several interactive pavilions with 3D documentaries, photographs, and artifacts. On top of this, the museum often houses temporary exhibitions that are well worth seeing.
Al Shindagha Museum
KEY INFO
| 📍 Address | 288 – Dubai. Get Directions |
| 🚉 Getting There | Take Line M2 to Al Ghubaiba Metro Station. |
| 🤑 Ticket Price | AED 50 |
| ⏰ Opening Horus | Monday to Sunday from 10 am 8 pm |
Al Shindagha Museum is one of the best history museums in Dubai. It’s located on the banks of Dubai Creek and preserves and interprets Emirati cultural heritage. The museum consists of 80 historic houses and 22 pavilions.
Some of the highlights include The Perfume House and methods of Arabic perfume-making, The House of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, works of the early craftsmen, the region’s aquatic ecosystem, and the cooking style of Emiratis.
Saruq Al Hadid Museum
KEY INFO
| 📍 Address | Al Fahidi. Get Directions |
| 🚉 Getting There | Take Line M2 to Al Ghubaiba Metro Station. |
| 🤑 Ticket Price | AED 20 per adult or AED 10 per child (aged seven to 12) |
| ⏰ Opening Horus | Sunday to Wednesday from 8 am to 8 pm; Saturday to Thursday from 8 am to 2 pm. Closed on Fridays. |
To learn about one of the most exciting archaeological sites in the Emirates, visit the Saruq Al Hadid Museum in the Shindagha Heritage District of Dubai.
Saruq Al Hadid is a remote desert site that was used for metalworking about three thousand years ago. Archaeologists believe this site reached its peak during the Iron Age, but after a ton of research, many mysteries remain.
The excavation is still taking place, but visitors can already see an array of spectacular objects on display. There’s a variety of bronze and iron tools and weapons, measuring scales, pottery, gold jewelry, and so much more.
Fun Fact: When flying above the Rub Al Khali desert, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, came across the artifacts that are now at the museum.
Pearl Museum
KEY INFO
| 📍 Address | 10 Baniyas Rd – Port Saeed – Riggat Al Buteen. Get Directions |
| 🤑 Ticket Price | Free |
| ⏰ Opening Horus | Sunday to Thursday from 9 am to 3 am |
Located in the headquarters of the Emirates NBD bank, Pearl Museum houses a magnificent collection of saltwater pearls.
This museum is dedicated to the late Chairman of the National Bank of Dubai, Sultan Ali Al-Owais, and his wish to honor the people of the UAE, and the Gulf in general, by displaying this priceless collection of pearls as a great reminder of a way of life that is now lost.
Important: Before planning a visit, check the museum’s website or contact them directly to confirm whether the museum is open and whether an appointment needs to be made.
The Museum Of The Future
KEY INFO
| 📍 Address | Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre, Trade Centre 2. Get Directions |
| 🚉 Getting There | Take the Red Line to Emirates Towers. |
| 🤑 Ticket Price | AED 145 |
| ⏰ Opening Horus | Monday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm |
The Museum Of The Future is an interesting museum founded by the Dubai Future Foundation. It explores how science and technology might influence society in decades to come — from AI to augmented reality.
It has seven floors and a distinct topic, such as climate change or space flight, is covered on each floor. Moreover, there are many exhibits, such as lovely Arabic Calligraphy Panels, a Wish Pool, a calming Sensory Room, a glimpse of a genetically altered digital Amazon Forest, a Space Shuttle Simulation, and special workshops and talks
Coins Museum
KEY INFO
| 📍 Address | Al Fahidi – Dubai. Get Directions |
| 🚉 Getting There | Take bus number 15, 21, 29, 8, C1, C18 to Al Sabkha Marine Transport Station |
| 🤑 Ticket Price | Free |
| ⏰ Opening Horus | Sunday to Thursday from 8 am to 2 pm |
Coins Museum near Bur Dubai district presents over 470 rare coins from throughout the Middle East. It’s spread across two floors and is equipped with special display cabinets and magnifying screens.
The rooms take you through the Arab-Sasanian period, the Abbasid Caliphate era, and then to currency mined in Turkey, North Africa, Egypt, the Levant, Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, and Andalusia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest heritage museum in Dubai?
The biggest heritage museum in Dubai and UAE, in general, is The Al Shindagha Museum.
What is the main museum in Dubai?
The main museum in Dubai is the Dubai Museum located in the Al Fahidi Fort, the oldest existing building in Dubai. It was renovated during the reign of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, but before that, it served as a monarch’s base, a fortified residence, and a weapons arsenal and prison.
What are Dubai best museums?
The 8 best museums in Dubai:
Dubai Museum;
Dubai Coffee Museum;
Etihad Museum;
Al Shindagha Museum;
Saruq Al Hadid Museum;
Pearl Museum;
The Museum Of The Future;
Coins Museum.
Which Dubai museums and art galleries offer interactive exhibits for visitors?
Dubai’s museums and art galleries offer diverse interactive exhibits catering to visitors of all ages and interests. Some notable institutions providing engaging displays include Jameel Arts Centre, Alserkal Avenue, Bayt Al Mamzar, Theatre Of Digital Art, and Museum of The Future.
What are the best museums in Dubai for kids?
The best kid-friendly museums in Dubai:
OliOli® – Dubai’s First Experiential Play Museum;
Museum of Illusions;
Museum of the Future;
History of Cinema Museum
