Best museums in Dubai that are worth your time

In addition to its great nightlife and its delicious cuisine, Dubai is rich with fascinating history and culture. There’s no shortage of famous museums in Dubai to take into account when you’re planning your vacation itinerary, and this can be a great activity during the heat of the day, as they are indoor, air-conditioned spaces.

Take part in science experiments at the Sharjah Science Museum, or sip a cup of sweet Arabic coffee at the Coffee Museum. Dubai is full of unique things to do. Whether you're interested in the history of life in the region, the evolution of Dubai's architecture, or traditional Islamic art, there'll be something to tickle your fancy, so let's take a look at the best museums in Dubai.

1. Dubai Museum

The Dubai Museum tells a rich story of the region's development, recreating traditional Arab houses, mosques, souks, and farms, and telling stories of the city's desert and marine history. Visit the Old Town while you're there and soak up some local and regional history.

Highlights:

The museum is housed in the historic Al Fahidi Fort, the city's oldest building.

Address and opening hours:

Al Fahidi Fort, Dubai. Saturday-Thursday 8:30 AM-8:30 PM, Fridays 2:30 PM-8:30 PM.

2. Etihad Museum

The Etihad Museum is one of the most famous museums in Dubai and is dedicated to telling the story of the founding of the United Arab Emirates. Explore the country's diverse history through this fascinating museum's well-curated exhibits.

Highlights:

The museum was designed in the shape of a manuscript, with seven columns in the shape of pens.

Address and opening hours:

1 Jumeirah St, Al Mina, Dubai. Open daily, 10:00 AM-8:00 PM.

3. Sheikh Saeed al Maktoum House

The Sheikh Saeed al Maktoum House was formerly the residence of the longest ruler of Dubai, who died in 1958. It's now an important spot for art in Dubai: you can see paintings and artistic artifacts reflecting the past life of the city.

Highlights:

The House is located in the historic Al Fahidi district, much of which has remained unchanged since the 19th century. Take some time to explore this fascinating neighborhood.

Address and opening hours:

Al Fahidi, Dubai. Open Saturday-Thursday 8:00 AM-8:30 PM, Friday 3:00 PM-8:30 PM.

Best art museums in Dubai

4. Louvre Abu Dhabi

While it’s not in Dubai, art lovers won’t want to miss a trip to Abu Dhabi, UAE’s capital, to see the emirate’s outpost of the famous Paris art museum. Take a day trip from Dubai to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which is undoubtedly the most famous art gallery in the region.

Highlights:

The building is as impressive as the art inside, and you’ll find works by Van Gogh, Monet, and da Vinci within its unique architecture.

Address and opening hours:

Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi . Open Tuesday-Thursday 10:00 AM-6:30 PM, Friday-Sunday 10:00 AM-8:30 PM. Closed on Mondays. Tours include round-trip transportation from Dubai.

5. Al Shindagha Museum

If you're interested in the heritage and culture of UAE, get yourself to Al Shindagha Museum and dive into this rich collection of Arabic culture and art. The museum is separated into 21 beautiful houses or pavilions, and the sections are dedicated to poetry, jewelry, traditional crafts, and visual art.

Highlights:

This museum is the largest heritage center in the UAE and a must-visit for anyone with an interest in the country's culture and heritage.

Address and opening hours:

288 - Dubai. Open daily, 10:00 AM-8:00 PM.

6. Miraj Art Center

Islam has an exceptionally beautiful tradition of visual art. Visit the Miraj Art Center and experience the beauty of this decorative tradition, from tapestry to calligraphy, from gilt inlay to illuminated manuscripts. This is a showcase of the best art of a great civilization.

Highlights:

This is one of the best museums in Dubai for anyone with an interest in visual art or Arabic culture.

Address and opening hours:

582 Jumeirah Street, Dubai. Open daily, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM.

7. Gallery COLLECTIONAL

Most likely Dubai's hippest design space, Gallery COLLECTIONAL is an exhibition space, artists' workspace, and store for high-end and artistic design. From sculpture to graphic design to home products, you'll find it here. Located in the Jumeirah district, you can pop in to admire the city's most cutting-edge design.

Highlights:

There are frequently rotating temporary exhibitions, so there's always something new to see in this exciting space.

Address and opening hours:

Eden House, Jumeirah Garden City, 41st St, Dubai. Open Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM. Closed Saturday-Sunday.

Best design museums in Dubai

8. Museum of Traditional Architecture

Dubai is a fascinating place to be for architecture. From traditional Bedouin buildings to ultra-modern skyscrapers, Dubai is a city of contrasts. Take it all in by heading to the Museum of Traditional Architecture to learn more about the city's culture of design.

Highlights:

With its well-curated and well-laid-out exhibits about the history of building design, this is well worth a visit.

Address and opening hours:

Ali Bin Abi Taleb St, Al Fahidi. Open Sunday-Thursday 8:00 AM-2:00 PM. Closed Friday-Saturday.

Best science museums in Dubai

9. Museum of the Future

Enter one of the most famous museums in Dubai and explore its exhibitions on modern technologies and their potential implications for the future of mankind. The museum's housed in one of Dubai's most extraordinary buildings, a futuristic oval shape well worth a visit in its own right.

Highlights:

Engage with ideas about the future of health, space travel, artificial intelligence, and climate change.

Address and opening hours:

Sheikh Zayed Rd, Trade Center, Dubai. Open daily, 10:00 AM-7:30 PM.

10. Museum of Illusions

Step into a topsy-turvy world where nothing is as it seems at the Museum of Illusions, where you will find mind-boggling optical illusions, and fun scientific explanations for the tricks being played on your brain.

Highlights:

Make sure you bring your camera – there are plenty of unexpected and whacky photo opportunities.

Address and opening hours:

Al Seef, Dubai Creek. Open Monday-Thursday, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM, Friday-Sunday 10:00 AM-11:00 PM.

Alternative museums in Dubai

11. Selfie Museum

Experience this unique Dubai museum where artworks are individually crafted with one thing in mind: the selfie. Get your camera and get creative at the 3D World Selfie Museum. This is the ticket to your Instagram feed needs.

Highlights:

The artists who created the installations are masters of the trompe l’oeil, or optical illusion, technique.

Address and opening hours:

Sheikh Zayed Rd, Al Quoz 4, Dubai. Open daily 10:00 AM-8:00 PM.

12. Coins Museum

A fascinating glimpse into the history of commerce and trade, visit the Coin Museum and discover the history of currencies, and see coins from different civilizations.

Highlights:

The oldest coins on display date back to the 7th century.

Address and opening hours:

Al Fahidi, Dubai. Open Sunday-Thursday, 8:00 AM-2:00 PM. Closed Friday-Saturday.

13. Coffee Museum

If you can't start the day without your cup of joe, Dubai's Coffee Museum is for you. A huge hit with tourists and locals alike, it's one of the best places to sample coffee with an educational side. Learn about the history of coffee and brewing styles from each country before trying a cup of aromatic Arabic coffee.

Highlights:

There's a shop selling different blends of coffee, the perfect gift for coffee lovers at home, or if you don’t want to wake up to bad coffee after your trip.

Address and opening hours:

Bastakiya, Villa 44, Al Hisn Street. Open daily, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.

FAQs

What are the must-visit museums in Dubai?

The Etihad, The Dubai Museum, and the Al Shindagha Museum are all famous museums in Dubai that are considered must-visit attractions.

Are there any free museums in Dubai?

Many of Dubai's best museums are free of entry. Many museums, which usually charge, also provide free entry on the 18th of May to celebrate International Museum Day. It's worth checking the website of each museum before planning a visit.

Are there any museums in Dubai that are suitable for children and families?

The interactive nature of the Museum of Illusions is always a big hit with kids. There are also a couple of museums in Dubai designed expressly for children: check out the woo-hoo! UAE Children's Museum, and OliOli, an experiential play museum, which is great for little kids in particular.

For which museums in Dubai are guided tours recommended?

It's worth getting a guided tour to make sure you get the most out of your visit and to ensure you don't miss anything of note – this is especially true in the larger museums, such as the Museum of Dubai.

Are there any museum passes or discount cards available for visiting multiple museums in Dubai?

Yes. Get the Go City Explorer Pass and choose which attractions you want to visit while saving up to 50% on entrance prices.