Why Visit Museums in the UAE?
Having been to Dubai several times, I always looked up to the city as a land of dreams and hopes. During my visits, I had something new to learn and explore, and the Dubai Museums played a significant role in this activity. While the old museums worked harder on sustaining their quality and infrastructure, the new ones hyped up innovative learning methods. We learn a lot more about the culture, history and growth of the United Arab Emirates as a conglomeration of the Emirates. We are taught about the fusion of intercultural and regional lifestyles and traditions. We learn more about the lives and traditions of Emirati citizens, and most importantly, the heart of Dubai’s history and heritage is delicately preserved in the Dubai Museums. Apart from learning about Emirati culture, the museums in Dubai offer a unique blend of culture, art, futurism, and technology. I would love to define the museums in Dubai as the epitome of knowledge of all ages and those to be welcomed in a settling, family-friendly atmosphere.
1. Louvre Abu Dhabi:
Listed popularly among the top museums of the UAE, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first universal museum in the Arab world. With more than 120 masterpieces spread over twenty galleries and twelve sections, the Louvre manifests a visit through civilisations and cultures of ages. Stroll past some of the greatest contemporary artists and their works and spread your wings while learning more about diverse cultures and civilisations. Unlike all the other museums in Dubai, the Louvre architecture inspires an impression of water and light intricately visioned by Jean Novele. Some of the artworks that you shouldn’t miss out on are the Portrait of an Unknown Lady by Da Vinci, the La Gare Saint-Lazare by Monet, Portrait of a Lady by Pablo Picasso, the Self Portrait of Vincent Van Gogh, and other artefacts of Bodhidharma and ancient ages. For a unique experience, try out the kayaking ride across this infamous museum in Dubai. You should visit the Children’s Museum inside the Louvre if kids accompany you.
2. Dubai Museum (Al Fahidi Fort)
Are you a sucker for culture and history? Then, the Dubai Museum is your haven when visiting and planning your list of things to do in Dubai. Located inside the Al Fahidi Fort, the city’s oldest building, constructed in 1787, this top museum in Dubai spotlessly recreates the ancient life of Dubai, which isn’t exposed overtly to the public. View the life-size representations of Dubai’s life before it prospered as the trading hub and discovered oil. Indulge in the engaging exhibits and illustrations of the old Arab houses, creeks, souks, mosques, and farms and their interactive dioramas. The thrilling part of visiting the Dubai Museum is its central underground walkway that leads you down the spiralling stairways to the fascinating sections of illustrations. Travel back in time to the old and unique Dubai and its lifestyle inside the oldest fort in the city.
3. Museum of the Future
A top museum in Dubai that defeats the concrete pillars that presumed museums’ purpose, the Museum of the Future, with its modern architecture and unique theme, has caught billions of eyes worldwide. Visit the future for a change in this steel and glass-crafted building with Arabic calligraphy carved onto its exteriors and in the heartland of Dubai. Feel like you rushed into 2071 and walked past the tantalising scientific and technological developments with answers to the rising queries on bio-diversity, climate science, holistic well-being, space travel and renewable energy. The Museum of the Future in Dubai prepares you for the next fifty years of the world in the aura of augmented reality and artificial intelligence ruling most of our human lives. Visit the museum in Dubai, which is categorised into five chapters: OSS Hope, Heal Institute, Al Waha, Tomorrow Today, and Future Heroes. As engraved in the museum, “ Future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it, and execute it. It isn’t something you await, rather create.”
4. Sharjah Museum of Islamic Collection
A significant old Dubai museum that showcases volumes of Dubai heritage and culture, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Collection is a platter of rich history, artistry, and Islamic heritage and culture. Displaying more than 5,000 fascinating artefacts, this UAE museum portrays the various contributions of Islamic scholars of the Arab world and their teachings that play a significant role in making the United Arab Emirates. Opened in 1996, this museum in Dubai has seven galleries, including the Abu Bakr Gallery of Islamic Faith, which pronounces the pillars of Islam, the Ibn Al-Aaytham Gallery of Science and Technology, and the Atrium & Temporary Exhibition. Immerse in the cultural flakes of the United Arab Emirates through the lens of Islamic culture.
5. Etihad Museum Dubai
Established on December 2, 1971, the Etihad Museum in Dubai was a major building in the union of six sovereign states during the signing of the constitution to form the United Arab Emirates. The signing happened in the Etihad Union House, and the museum is at the heart of the ceremonial event. Learn more about the first federation in the Arab world in this museum in Dubai and be engrossed in the unique style of architecture inspired by the shape of the UAE Constitution, wherein the seven pillars represent the pens used in signing the constitution. Embark on the historical journey and update yourselves with the modern UAE history and the major events that took place in the contemporary world.
6. Qasr Al Hosn
Housed in a 250-year-old fort, this museum in Dubai memorialises the nation’s ruling family. Qasr Al Hosn is Abu Dhabi’s first permanent structure and watch tower and holds its core highly strong. A sight for the eyes, this UAE museum can take your grip away with its magnifying beauty. It consists of an inner fort and outer palace, which were transformed into a museum in 2018, encapsulating the rich life and heritage of the citizens of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The museum also showcases the lives of artisans and their intangible heritage, which has been carefully preserved over the years for generations to witness and welcome. Some prominent workshops you can attend and activities you can admire are those in Al-Sadu, Khoos, and Talli.
7. Dubai Coffee Museum
Coffee and the Arab world go a long way and have been an inseparable part of Middle Eastern culture. Savouring Arabic coffee beans when your uncles bring them while visiting you from the gulf is a cherishing memory for many of us. For all the coffee addicts, this vibrant museum in Dubai is a boon that speaks so much about the history of Arabic coffee and the coffee-drinking culture in the Middle East. Learn about the discovery of coffee from the times of black gold and the legend of Kaldi through the two most important rooms of the Coffee Museum in Dubai. Look at the processes and the coffee served during the First World War on the ground floor and review the literature on the upper floor.
8. Ajman Museum
An 18th-century fortress built out of coral stone and gypsum that served as the rulers’ residence until 1970 is where the infamous Ajman Museum in Dubai rests. The fort used to be the major residence of the ruling family until the great fall and then was converted into a museum. You will find centuries-old manuscripts, weapons, wooden dhow models, and a display of the perfect irrigation systems. There are also discoveries of pottery and funeral jewellery; you should not miss out on the pristine and major exhibit of the excavated cemetery.
9. Sheikh Zayed Heritage Center
The Sheikh Zayed Heritage Center, tucked away in Abu Dhabi, is a fascinating site that honours the rich cultural legacy of the United Arab Emirates. This museum in Dubai, which bears the name of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding father, pays homage to its objective of upholding the country’s customs and encouraging a feeling of national identity among its citizens. Through its interactive exhibits, which highlight traditional crafts, music, and folklore, the centre provides visitors with an immersive experience that highlights many facets of Emirati culture. One of the highlights is the exhibition of items depicting the history of the United Arab Emirates, from its Bedouin origins to its swift modernisation. Visitors can also participate in workshops that teach ancient skills, including falconry, weaving, and ceramics, to gain a practical grasp of Emirati customs. The centre regularly organises festivals and cultural events that unite locals and visitors, fostering cross-cultural interaction and community involvement.
A live example of the UAE’s dedication to conserving its culture while embracing modernity, the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Center is more than just a museum in Dubai. This centre provides a unique opportunity to learn about the customs that define the uniqueness of this dynamic country, regardless of your interest in history or Emirati culture in general. If you want an engaging experience while visiting Abu Dhabi, include it in your itinerary!
Things to Know Before Visiting UAE Museums
While you may be excited to visit the fascinating museums in Dubai, there are certain things to remember.
Dress Code: In a country that follows Islamic religion and culture, we advise you to wear modest clothes covering your arms and knees. While you may not encounter issues wearing sleeveless owing to Dubai’s modern culture and lifestyle, revealing clothes are gravely looked down upon in society.
Opening Hours: Various museums open at their respective hours, while most of the museums in Dubai open at 9:00 a.m. and close by late evening. You should take extra note on Fridays and holidays, as the hours may differ due to prayer timings and crowds. Most museums in Dubai are closed on Mondays.
Best Visit Time for Museums in Dubai: The best time to visit museums in Dubai is during the winter when the weather is cool and welcoming. In summer, you might have to take breaks owing to the extreme sun and also avoid the crowds during the peak holiday season.
Tips for Exploring Museums in Dubai and Beyond
Visiting the best museums alone in Dubai can be slightly monotonous, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with some of the best ways to experience Emirati Culture and some amazing things to do in Dubai for free. When visiting the Louvre Abu Dhabi, one of the top 5 Museums in the UAE, you can combine a day tour to Qasr Al Hosn, Ferrari World, and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. If you are a natural explorer, you can opt out of guided tours and spend your day discovering new sites on your own. Do not miss out on the daily exhibitions and events in the famous museums in UAE, and ensure you make the most of your time. When visiting the Dubai Museum at the Al Fahidi Fort, spend a whole day in and around the old Dubai Museum and grab your share of Dubai’s culture and heritage.
