The Best Museums in Dubai for History, Culture & More!
It’s easy to get distracted by all the glitz and glam of Dubai, but it’s important to know that this city has a serious side too! If you’re looking to delve beneath the surface and get a real understanding of the culture, history, and heritage of this city, here’s my guide to the very best museums in Dubai.
All the museums on this list offer something totally unique. So whether you want to learn all about Arabic coffee at the Coffee Museum, time travel to 2071 in the Museum of the Future, or get a history lesson about what life was like in Old Dubai in the 1800s at Al Shindagha Museum, there’s lots to uncover in the variety of Dubai museums.
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The 8 Best Museums in Dubai
1. Coffee Museum
The Coffee Museum is one of the best museums in Dubai, and that’s especially true if you’re a coffee lover. Coffee plays a big role in the UAE, and for just 10 dirhams, you can sip on a complimentary cup of Arabic coffee while you look around this intimate museum in Old Dubai’s Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
You’ll learn all about the origins of coffee and the cultural importance of coffee in the region and walk away with fun facts about coffee culture and history from around the world. For example, do you know who made the world’s first instant coffee? You will if you visit the Coffee Museum!
You’ll also see a bunch of old coffee antiques, like grinders and brewing pots. If you need another caffeine fix, there’s a cute café upstairs with an SCA-certified barista who brews up top-notch cups of coffee for around AED 30.
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood: Mon-Thurs, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm, closed Fridays; AED 10 with a free cup of coffee upon entry.
2. Al Shindagha Museum
Located in Old Dubai’s historic Al Shindagha Neighbourhood, Al Shindagha Museum is the largest heritage museum in the UAE, comprised of over 160 historic houses with 22 pavilions spread across 80 of these houses.
This is one of the best museums in Dubai for history buffs and culture vultures because each pavilion explores a different facet of Dubai’s heritage. So you can expect to learn about the importance of early life on Dubai Creek, pearl diving, jewelry making, perfume making, traditional crafts, and other key aspects of traditional life that have helped shape modern-day Dubai.
All the while, you’ll get to soak in the heritage-style architecture that makes Old Dubai one of the most charming parts of the city.
Al Shindagha: 10am-8pm (last entry at 7pm); AED 50 for adults, AED 20 for students (5-24 years).
3. ARTE MUSEUM Dubai
Visiting the ARTE MUSEUM Dubai is one of the many cool things to do in Dubai Mall and one of the coolest Dubai museums. This immersive media and art museum is comprised of 14 themed zones spanning 2,800 square meters of space.
The current theme is “Eternal Nature: Nature Beyond Time and Space,” with rooms featuring things like an “infinite waterfall,” a “live sketchbook coral reef,” and a “starry beach.”
But the coolest room, in my opinion, is the Garden of Light, which features iconic, larger-than-life masterpieces from the most renowned artists in Western art history. Think “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci, “The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh, ” and “Dance at Bougival” by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, to name a few.
Dubai Mall (Level 2): Mon-Thurs 10am-11pm (last admission at 10pm) and Fri-Sun 10am-midnight (last admission at 11pm); AED 149 (on-site) or AED 129 (online) for adults, AED 79 (on-site) or AED 69 (online) for children ages 4-17.
4. Museum of the Future
When it comes to the very best museums in Dubai, there’s a reason the Museum of the Future is at the top of most travelers’ bucket lists. First, the building it’s housed in, with its torus shape and Arabic calligraphy-strewn exterior, has quickly become one of the best-known landmarks in the city.
But step inside and you’ll be entering an alternate reality of what the world could look like in the year 2071 with the advancements of science and technology. Explore the five themed floors, and you’ll get to see firsthand how humanity will be impacted by everything from AI to climate change, spirituality, space travel, and beyond.
Daily 9:30am-9pm; AED 149 for general entry, free entry for children under 4 years.
5. Women’s Museum
If you’re looking for interesting Dubai museums, pay a visit to the Women’s Museum in Deira. This place is all about celebrating the lives and achievements of women in the UAE throughout the years and their role in the country’s development.
Explore the museum and you’ll have the chance to hear inspirational stories and see personal artifacts of female artists, scholars, and activists. Be sure not to miss the Diwan Ousha Bint Khalifa Al Suwidi Room. This exhibit highlights the life and work of renowned poet Ousha Bint Khalifa (aka The Girl of the Arabs).
Depending on when you visit, there may also be a workshop, talk, and other community event, as well as displays of works from contemporary female artists in the UAE.
Deira (near Gold Souq): Sat-Thurs 10am-6pm; AED 20.
6. Etihad Museum
Etihad Museum is one of the most interesting museums in Dubai, especially if you want to learn about the history and culture of the UAE. Like most things in Dubai, the building itself is a work of art and well worth checking out in person.
But head inside and you’ll get the chance to learn about the history of the seven emirates and their Founding Fathers through interactive displays, fascinating artifacts, and informative videos. You can also arrange to have a tour guide to get the most out of the museum.
7. Dubai Museum
Located in the heart of the Al Fahidi Historic Neighborhood, the Al Fahidi Fort and Dubai Museum are a must on any Dubai bucket list. Al Fahidi Fort is the oldest building in Dubai and was built in 1787 as the then-ruler’s fortified residence. This is where you’ll also find the Dubai Museum, which aims to preserve Dubai’s cultural heritage and tell the story of what life was like in the neighborhood’s early days.
Unfortunately, at the time of writing, the museum is closed for some highly anticipated renovations and improvements. But I wanted to include it on this list for when it reopens, which hopefully will be soon!
8. Museum of Illusions Dubai
Set in the heart of Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, the Museum of Illusions Dubai is always a fun pick if you’re looking for family-friendly museums in Dubai. Both kids and adults will love playing around with the 60+ visual and educational exhibits. Plus, the photo ops are endless!
Expect warped and mind-bending illusion rooms (like the Tilted Room and Reversed Room), installations (like the Head on a Table and Cloning Table), holograms, optical illusions, sensory experiences, and more. Along the way, you and your crew will have the chance to learn about the technology and tricks behind each illusion at this edutainment center.
Al Seef: Mon-Thurs 10am-10pm, Fri-Sun 10am-11pm; AED 90 for adults 16+, AED 65 for children 3-15, free for children under 3.
