The incredible, stunning, modern, young, and wealthy city on the shores of the Persian Gulf knows how to amaze tourists with its curiosities. Each year, it hosts more and more exhibitions, festivals, competitions, educational, and developmental events.
Travelers can always enrich their experiences with new interesting discoveries in places like the museums of Dubai. Feeling a bit tired of beach holidays? Bored of staying even in the most luxurious hotel? Exhausted from endless shopping in malls? Welcome to the world of breathtaking knowledge. The selection of the most exciting places is already waiting for tourists on our list.
Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort
Location – Al Fahidi Fort. Status – National History Institution. Many rarities are located here right under the boundless blue sky, adding extra charm to the overall picture. You can wander around the fort for hours – it won’t get boring. The public’s favorites are the reed huts, where you can thoroughly explore the lifestyle features of the entire Arab Federation.
Photoshoots against their backdrop turn out to be completely exclusive. But the key part of the treasures is stored in somewhat mysterious, spacious underground chambers. The colorful institution has three thematic exhibitions: prehistoric land, medieval life, and the modern world of the city. The format of the colorful excursions is interactive.
The highlight of the presentation is a picturesque “decoration” of the pearl market. Everything here looks very real: precious stones, sellers and buyers, light and sound effects. All this transports viewers to the very epicenter of the underwater trading kingdom.
It’s best to visit the fort with a qualified guide who will explain everything clearly and answer all questions sincerely.
Museum of the Future
Ranked among the top 14 most picturesque exhibitions in the world. Located in a building styled as a silver ellipse with Arabic inscriptions. The windows-letters present quotes from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Operating principle: a permanent collection of exhibits, immersive theater, and a kaleidoscope of changing thematic exhibitions. Look for this innovative masterpiece on the city’s main artery — Sheikh Zayed Road. The institution dedicates its activities to promoting technologies of future centuries, gathering all the most innovative engineering novelties under its roof.
The foundation of the fantastic collection is the scientists’ proposed ideas that will become available to humanity in the next 50 years. Priority is given to innovations from the world of artificial intelligence, augmented reality wonders, interactive pictures, and mechanisms.
It is expected that international scientific forums will be held within these unique walls, where outstanding global luminaries will share their knowledge. There is already a section for the younger generation to learn science in a playful format.
The Green Planet Zoological Museum
First impressions on site – you’ve entered a real tropical forest. The institution is hidden right in the epicenter of a bustling metropolis. The exhibitions are divided into four thematic zones: “The Canopy,” “Forest Trails,” “Middle Level,” and “Tropical Rainforest.” Representatives of forest fauna hide in the dense thickets of exotic flora.
During its operation, the institution has managed to gather over 3,000 species of rare plants, animals, and birds. A special delight is the array of lively waterfalls, providing freshness in hot weather.
Tours are conducted with experienced guides who know all the nuances and subtleties of life in the tropical forest and are ready to share them with the public. Entry is paid for both adults and children. If desired, you can buy a subscription to return to the improvised jungle and stroll through them independently.
After viewing the natural wonder, tourists can enjoy numerous cafes and restaurants to satisfy their appetite. These dining spots are located in the City Walk mall, which houses this zoological paradise.
Pearl Museum
The collection of jewels began in 1970 by Sultan Al Owais. The idea, however, belonged to the famous Arab pearl trader Ali Bin Abdullah Al Owais. The collection started in the 1940s-50s and has only expanded and multiplied since then.
All these treasures were harvested from the Arabian Gulf, blessed with consistently warm water and a lack of menacing depths for divers. Visitors can see one of the richest collections of “mother-of-pearl” stones of various shades on the planet and crafts and installations depicting the work and life of pearl divers.
Learn about the tools and tricks used by the harvesters of the precious “raw material,” how the jewels were guarded and transported worldwide. To visit this picturesque “luxury exhibition,” you must make an appointment with Emirates NBD managers.
The tourist groups assembled are very small, as pearls do not like noise and fuss, with a maximum of 20 people, but there are always many people wanting to visit, as this place is very popular with guests.
Women’s Museum
Location – the historical part of the city. Opening time – 2012. The founder of the institution is Professor of Psychiatry Rafia Obaid Ghubash, considered one of the most famous women in the country. The museum was created to debunk European myths that women in the UAE live in isolation, are deprived of many rights, and live secluded lives.
The exhibition includes biographical examples of how actively women participate in the state’s life. The stories of women’s brilliant successes in business, politics, culture, and art are told. The focus is on the woman-mother, on whose shoulders lie the primary responsibilities of giving birth and raising future generations of the Emirates, developing their economic, social, scientific, and political spheres.
A worthy young generation ensures the successful future of the entire country, and women’s daily contributions to this work cannot be overestimated. Female travelers should visit this place because it houses unique shops of oriental souvenirs and perfumes.
Arab women know the science of beauty, how to pamper and cherish themselves. Perfumes and oils produced locally, based on resins and spices, are bought here because they trust the unparalleled quality.
Camel Museum
The institution is small, but every animal lover can learn a lot of interesting things here. Entry is free for everyone. Operating hours: Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Location – the historical quarters of the Shindagha district.
Qualified trainers and caretakers will tell visitors about feeding, raising, and training the “desert conquerors” and about the exciting camel races. Interesting discussions often arise about how to name this representative of the fauna, so it responds to its name and becomes a loyal friend and helper during long journeys across the hot sands.
Fans of original photoshoots can easily add amusing pictures and videos to their collection. Mannequins of camels serve as the “decorations,” which will not misbehave or refuse to participate in the photo reports.
The visit usually takes about 1 hour, but it leaves an ocean of impressions and positivity.
Coffee Museum
For coffee fans, the chance to visit this coffee treasure is a real treat. The institution is cozy, and the lessons on roasting and preparing different types of coffee are captivating. The luxurious antique exhibition instantly creates the impression of stepping into an old eastern fairy tale.
For children accompanying adults on this tour, there’s a small playground to keep them entertained while the older tourists enjoy the delightful spectacle. The “tasty” institution occupies two floors of a small old building. All guests are necessarily offered to try a popular drink, prepared in one way or another.
Entry is paid, but tourists have already remarked that the time spent in the atmospheric place, surrounded by coffee aromas, far exceeds the symbolic entrance fee. Those who love to prepare coffee themselves will appreciate the set of kitchen tools for this “magic”: sieves and strainers, coffee grinders of all kinds, brewing devices, mills, flasks, and retorts.
Visitors can easily choose their favorite types of coffee in the museum shop and take them home. The trip to the coffee paradise will include visiting a part of the city where the old landmarks of the pre-oil era of the UAE still remain, adding extra charm to the visit.
Al Shindagha Museum
Location – the oldest district of the city, Al Shindagha. Landmark in the settlement – to the north, where the natural water branch Dubai Creek flows into the Persian Gulf. It’s easy to get there on your own – the Al Ghubaiba metro station is nearby.
The format of the institution is interactive, but there are also many real antique items. Seasoned travelers advise watching the full movie about the Persian Gulf, clearly made by big fans of their homeland. The theme is the innovative development of the city district where the institution is located.
The exhibition represents a constellation of 12 separate houses, specially restored for the public on the site of old buildings. To get acquainted with all the relics of the past, you will need at least 3-4 hours. The photos taken here are colorful and unusual.
Entry is paid, and a single ticket allows visiting all 12 buildings. This unique collection can confidently be called an original open-air museum, where you can learn the entire city’s development history in one place.
Etihad Museum
A very young complex consists of eight exhibitions, an educational center, and a library.
Tired of the wealth of interesting information, mainly about the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, you can visit the restaurant with national cuisine and take a break from the impressions. The nearest famous landmark is the “Union House,” where the unification of previously independent Emirates was proclaimed.
The core of the documentary collection is the original Constitution, state symbols, photos, documents from national archives, and dozens of touch screens with information about everything that has happened in the country recently.
The institution’s storerooms hold many personal belongings of individuals who played a leading role in the decision to become a single entity and coexist together. Locals treat this constellation of documents and historical evidence with special reverence.
Address: Jumeira St. Cross of 2nd December St. \Operating hours: daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. A taxi from Burj Khalifa will take about 20 minutes to get there.
Cinema History Museum
Also known as the Museum of Moving Images. Public transport landmarks nearby: “Dubai Internet City Metro Station 2,” buses No. 84, F31, F35, get off at the stop “Al Barsha Heights.”
The institution will be interesting for tourists of all age groups. The fascinating exhibition chronicles the birth of one of the most popular art forms in the world. The “founding father” of this interesting institution is entrepreneur Akram Miknas. He devotedly dedicated 25 years of his life to creating his child.
As a result, he managed to gather a history of the invention of “cinematic” gadgets from the beginnings of technology to the modern riot of colors, sounds, and special effects. The format of the film exhibition is “tactile,” with old relics and current technical wonders involved in making films, which can be touched, mechanisms started, and a few frames shot.
Here, everyone is their director, cameraman, and leading actor. The oldest technical relics displayed were used by specialists back in the 18th century, while the youngest are only a few months old.
The owner of this wonderful realm is undoubtedly deeply in love with the world of cinema, and every tourist who visits his creation shares this feeling. The promotion of cinema art here is carried out most magically.
Dubai Police Museum
Located next to the police academy. Tourists often end up here by accident, in passing, but they stay for a long time because they find it so interesting. Entry to the institution is free.
The exhibition includes: uniforms of police personnel from different years, investigative and operational equipment, police transport, various weapons. The exhibits are located both indoors and in the building’s courtyard. The nearest famous attractions are the “Mall of the Emirates” shopping center and the Ski Dubai complex’s ski slopes.
On their way to entertainment, guests find themselves in the police “treasure trove.” The biggest delight for the public here is not the modern technology but the collection of old photos depicting the challenging daily life of police officers from the year the police force was established (1956) to the present day.
After visiting this ambiguous institution, tourists immediately understand why living and vacationing in the UAE is practically safe. The local police always stay ahead of the times by using the most innovative technical novelties in their operations. Criminals have no chance to commit malicious acts.
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum’s House
Location – Shindagha Peninsula, near the picturesque Creek bay. It is a gem of the list of national cultural monuments. This place is of high interest to the audience because this two-story house is authentic and belongs to the older generation of the city’s current ruler.
The family of Sheikh Mohammed’s grandfather lived here until 1958, and from here, the high-ranking individual was seen off to his final journey. Therefore, the place is imbued with the spirit and traditions of the Maktoum dynasty. The fates of the locals were decided within these walls from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries when everything in the state was very different.
The typical structure is made of coral lifted from the Persian Gulf’s bottom, coated with limestone, gypsum, and other available materials. The Sheikh’s family lived in 30 rooms; during the tour, tourists will see them all, examining the house from right to left, as local customs require.
The core of the exhibition is an extensive collection of photos related to the most significant events in the state’s history. There are also pictures taken on December 2, 1971, when the new state was officially announced.
The institution’s pride includes high-vaulted ceilings, arched doorways, beautiful balconies, a majlis hall for receiving guests and official delegations, prototypes of modern air conditioning systems – barjeel towers, and sculptures of pearl divers and fishermen. Entry requires a symbolic fee, and the institution is open daily without breaks.
Madame Tussauds Museum
Tourists say this institution easily rivals its counterparts on other continents in terms of concepts and quality of execution. All the exhibits are so masterfully made that visitors feel they might come alive and start a conversation.
The character selection is wide; everyone will surely find one of their idols to take a selfie with. Tickets are offered in two types: VIP version with a guide who will tell about each character and a self-guided tour of all the lovely figures.
The ticket prices are quite high, but where else in the world can you “talk” with world leaders so easily? Travelers admit that they usually take hundreds of photos in these walls and still regret not using all the opportunities. A detailed tour of all the rooms usually takes about an hour.
During this time, everyone manages to admire world showbiz stars and actors, firmly embrace for a photo with unapproachable politicians, and shake hands with outstanding athletes. The institution’s staff deserves particular praise for always being hospitable and welcoming to all clients, ready to answer all questions and help if problems arise.
OliOli Children’s Experimental Museum
A paradise for children’s and parents’ leisure. It is best suited for preschool-aged children. Its essence is a children’s educational center where you can both learn something and find yourself in the midst of adventures – it’s not a problem. Favorites of the younger audience include climbing mazes, water cannons in the “wet zone,” where everyone wears funny raincoats, and a delicious cafe with oriental sweets and ice cream.
Adults appreciate the scale and vibrancy of the interactive exhibitions. The time spent in the institution with a ticket is 2 hours, but it flies by so quickly that many want to come back. All rooms are decorated in bright, eye-pleasing colors. Children feel like they’ve stepped into a fairy tale.
Despite its popularity with tourists, the organization of leisure is so well-executed that you won’t find crowds or queues here. Despite the small room sizes, there is always enough space for everyone. Fans of the center recommend participating in the sparkling quests, although all the information for this detective adventure is provided only in Arabic and English.
Jameel Arts Centre
Essentially, the institution resembles a charming art gallery in a landscaped garden where fine arts enthusiasts like to gather. The authors of the works presented are mainly our contemporaries. The nearest accessible public transport is Al Jadaf metro station; it’s a long walk (2 km) from the station, so a taxi might come in handy.
Entry for visitors is free, but since many people want to see the exquisite beauty, it’s better to book an admission ticket in advance on the institution’s official website. Inside, you can admire not only permanent paintings, sculptures, and installations of various kinds but also rotating exhibition novelties.
Visitors especially liked features such as the large amount of open space, giving a sense of freedom, convenient parking, a rich library, a conference hall, and an excellent café with great coffee and desserts.
The overall appearance of the institution is also very charming, as the architects clearly did a great job creating such a picturesque place. Tourists noted this spot as a corner of the city they want to return to again and again.