10 Best Museums in Dubai: A Cultural Trip

Dubai, as we learn, is way beyond our imagination. It’s rich cultural heritage and centuries old establishments speak of its origins and the roots which dates back thousands of years. The Emirati state beautifully blends its historic culture with modernity and takes you on a vibrant history tour of Dubai.

The Persian sea which beautifies Dubai coastline from centuries has also seen it transform into a pearl destination for globetrotters. Dubai has so much to offer to a tourist and if you really want to feel this city with all your heart, you have to know about its glorious past. Starting from private art galleries, old forts, local cuisines, heritage museums, ancient artefacts, to the people and the Arabian culture which will give a new meaning to your Dubai trip.

Storing the ancient history are these 10 precious arts centre (Museums) that vividly describes the emergence of Dubai from a free port to a city of entirety. Go ahead, see Dubai as never before.

Dubai Museum

Dubai Museum is located in one of the oldest buildings in the region, Al Fahidi Fort. Said to be built in 1787, Dubai Museum showcases the traditional Emirati culture. From witnessing history through 3000 years old documents to ancient dhows used for pearling. Furthermore, experience the gulf's coast life at Al Kalmah houses made of palm trees and Al Arish breezy summer houses. It also houses a huge collection of Bedouin crafts, ancient souks, archaeological artefacts and other discoveries.

• Location: Al Souk Al Kabir Area, South of Dubai Creek, Dubai
• Ph.No: +971 4 3531862
• Entry: Adult- AED 3, Children (below 6 yrs)- AED 1
• Timings: 10 am to 5 pm, Guided Tours daily: 12 pm to 3 pm

Etihad Museum

A 21st century museum which stores the foundation of UAE. By foundation we mean that Etihad is located on the very place where UAE's constitution was signed in the year 1971. What's intriguing is that you can actually see how Dubai developed with time with special focus in period between 1968 and 1974. Interactive pavilions, films, exhibition hall, education centre, library, restaurant, and more can be discovered in this historic district. Etihad's Museum architecture is a symbol in itself as its roof is inspired by the shape of constitution and its seven columns symbolises seven pens used to sign the constitution. Witness Dubai unfolding itself here at Etihad Museum.

• Location: Jumeriah Street, Cross of 2nd December St, Dubai
• Ph.No: +971 4 515 5771
• Entry: Adult- 25 AED, Group: 20 AED, Student: 10 AED, Children: Free
• Timings: 10 am to 5 pm, Guided Tours daily: 12 pm to 3 pm

Museum Of Illusions

A mesmerizing and thrilling experience both for the mind and the eyes. Museum of Illusions is a captivating visual experience that includes dilemma games, educational toys, optical illusions, beautiful exhibits like anti-gravity room, infinity room, vortex tunnel, kaleidoscope, face illusions and much more. Solve the eye deceiving mystery tricks and let your brain understand the outside world.

• Location: Al Seef, Dubai Creek, United Arab Emirates
• Ph.No. +97145155337
• Entry: Adult: AED 80, Child (5-15 years): AED 60, Child (below 5 years): FREE, Family: AED 225*(*2 adults + 2 children)
• Timings: Sunday to Wednesday: 10 am – 10 pm, Thursday to Saturday: 10 am – 12 midnight

Salsali Private Museum

A private museum and a home to renowned Middle Eastern artists and artefacts collectors. Salsali Private Museum was founded by Ramin Salsali in 2011 who founded more than 900 works of art in Dubai. Enjoy Dubai's heritage in the form of historical paintings, textiles and embroidery, pottery, metallurgy, photography and carvings. One of Middle East's most popular artist, Amir Hossein Zanjani collection are also present here along with some emerging and established collectors in collectors lounge.

• Location: Al Quoz Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Ph. No. +97143809600
• Entry: Free
• Timings: Sunday to Thursday – 11:00 to 18:00; Saturday- 13:00 to 17:00

Naif Museum

An old fort in Deira which is popularly remembered by Dubai Police headquarters and prison facility. Naif Museum gives a taste of old Dubai as it was built in 1939 and carries the legacy of Dubai Police Force and city's justice system. At this all clay museum, you can find figurines, old police uniforms, medals, weapons, and original photographs of police personnels.

• Location: Deira Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Ph.No. +97145155000
• Entry: Adult- AED 15; Children (2 to 15 yrs)- AED 10; Family ( 2 adult+2children)- AED 40; Group entrance: AED 5 per student
• Timings: Sunday to Thursday- 8:00 to 14:00 hrs

Saruq Al-Hadid Archaeology Museum

Dubai's most exciting and mysterious archeological sites know for the"Iron Age". Saruq Al-Hadid which means the "way of iron" was a remote desert site meant for metalwork 3000 years ago. The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum built this place with traditional Emirati architecture and materials like coral stone, gypsum and chandal wood. At this archaeological museum, you will find animal fossils, fine jewellery, metal utensils, swords, daggers, 3000 year old artefacts and immersive theatrical experience.

• Location: Al Fahidi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Ph.No. +97143595612
• Entry: Individual: 20 AED; Children 7 – 12 years: 10 AED; Adults over 60: Free; Children up to 6 years: Free
• Timings: Saturday & Thursday: 08:00am – 02:00pm; Sunday to Wednesday: 08:00am – 08:00pm

Coffee Museum

If you're a coffee lover, then coffee museum is the right choice on your Dubai to-do list. Fun Fact - it is also the favorite drink of Emiratis. At Coffee Museum, you get to know the deeper connection between Emiratis and coffee and how the national drink has developed. You can see age old documents, artefacts and watch films on coffee and even learn various roasting and brewing process from around the world. Eat, shop, sip coffee and learn about the rare flavor from around the world at Coffee Museum.

• Location: Villa 44, Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Bur Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Ph.No. 04 353 8777
• Entry: Free
• Timings: 9 am to 5 pm

Pearl Museum

A hidden collection of gem located in Dubai. Pearl Museum depicts the life of pearl divers and merchant in early 1950s. Sultan Al Owais, one of Dubai's most important pearl merchant, poet and philanthropist started collecting pearls in 1970s. The collection included oriental pearls, silver-white pearls and other finest pearls that were a part of Gulf pearl-diving heritage. Located on the Emirates National Bank headquarters, this exclusive place holds world's finest pearls, the life of divers, their instruments & tools, their boats and how pearl strengthened Dubai's economy. Remember to make arrangements with Museum Authority before visiting and they will schedule it for you.

• Location: 15th Floor, Emirates National Bank Headquarters
• Ph.No. +97142012713
• Entry: As per Museum Authority
• Timings: 9 am to 5 pm

Coins Museum, Bur Dubai

Located in the proximity of Coffee Museum, this museum takes you on a journey of different historical eras. Places in special display cabinets, and magnifying touch screen for each coin that has detailed information of all coins in the museum. It has 8 main display rooms which stores 470 rare minted coins, dinars, dirhams from Egypt, Turkey, North Africa, Arabian Peninsula, and the United Arab Emirates in different periods. Do not forget to see the 16 rare Arab-Sasanian dirhams used during the Rashidun and Umayyad Caliphates (around AD 632-750).

• Location: Al Fahidi, Bur Dubai Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Ph.No. +97143920093Entry: 20 AED (Adults) & 10 AED (Children)
• Entry: Free
• Timings: 9 am to 5 pm

Al Shindagha Museum

Set on the waters of Dubai Creek, is the museum which shows Dubai's resilience and its rise to innovation and modernization. It allows visitors to explore Dubai's rich cultural heritage with the region and wider world. The first trade with the outside world, the first police station, the first bank, the first market, and how everything shaped Dubai's future can be watched at museum's multimedia offering "Dubai Creek: Birth of a City". The tour also offers interactive videos, photographs, artefacts, that describes Emiratis livelihood and trade.Next pitstop is Perfume House which highlights the importance of perfumes for the people and region's economy. A brief story of how arabic perfume are created and traded. The city's oldest neighborhood says a lot about Dubai's progress over the years.

• Location: Near House of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, Dubai Creek, United Arab Emirates
• Ph.No. +97145155337
• Entry: 20 AED (Adults) & 10 AED (Children)
• Timings: Fri - 2:30 AM - 9:30 PMSat to Thu 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM