More about: Dubai Museum Tickets and Tours
Dubai is a city known for its luxury and modernity, but also for its impressive history and culture. Alserkal Avenue alone is home to some 70 galleries and museums on the contemporary art map of this capital city. If you are looking for what to see and do in Dubai, one of the best ways to explore the soul of this city is through its museums.
From exhibitions dedicated to contemporary art to places that document the emirate's economic and technological boom, Dubai's museums offer a unique perspective on the transformation and evolution of this extraordinary place. In this article you will find the top of the best museums in Dubai with opening hours and address for you to plan a complete tour.
1. Madame Tussauds Dubai
This famous wax museum, known worldwide for its impressive celebrity replicas, has an iconic location in Dubai. With the purchase of your tickets to the Madame Tussauds Dubai museum you can enjoy its seven themed zones, and see figures of musicians, actors, athletes and personalities from the Arab world. Among the most prominent characters are Lionel Messi, singer Rihanna, and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, very popular among local and international visitors. In addition, you can pose with Queen Elizabeth II, Kylie Jenner or rapper Will.i.am.
The museum offers an interactive experience, allowing visitors to take pictures with their favorite stars. However, what you should not miss is the section dedicated to music icons and selfies with local personalities from the Arab world, unique to this location in Dubai. The accuracy and realism of the wax figures have made the museum an essential stop for lovers of pop culture and fame.
Details of interest
- Address: Bluewaters Island, Dubai.
- Hours: 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm.
- The museum is: ideal for taking fun photos and exploring local and international culture through its celebrities.
2. Museum of the Future
The Museum of the Future (MoF) is an architectural gem that has been called " one of the most beautiful structures in the world" This iconic museum, with its spectacular ring-shaped design decorated with Arabic calligraphy, offers an immersive experience of how technology and innovation will shape the future.
The MoF covers topics such as artificial intelligence, robotics and sustainability. The museum aims to inspire visitors with creative solutions to tomorrow's challenges by presenting interactive exhibits that seek to transform the way we see the world.
Visitors can also explore future utopias through immersive visual storytelling, and for ease of visit, entry is included when purchasing the Dubai Explorer Pass
Details of interest
- Address: Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.
- Hours: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, daily.
- The museum is: "the place where the future lives and the home of optimistic imagination," according to Killa Design and Buro Happold, the architectural firms in charge of the project. On the other hand, while the daytime visit is beautiful, if you are in Dubai at night the museum will surprise you with its impressive lighting and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
3. Dubai Museum
Located in the historic Al Fahidi Fort, the Dubai Museum is one of the oldest museums in the city and one of the busiest stops on the city's best sightseeing bus tours.
This museum offers an in-depth look at Dubai's transformation from a small fishing port to the modern metropolis we know today. Exhibits showcase traditional Bedouin life, the pearl trade and the economic growth that made Dubai a global benchmark. It is the perfect place for those who want to learn about the roots of the Pearl of the Gulf.
Details of interest
- Address: Al Fahidi Street, Bur Dubai.
- Hours: Saturday to Thursday, 8:30 am - 8:30 pm; Friday, 2:30 pm - 8:30 pm.
- The museum is: a must-see among the things to see and do in Al Fahidi thanks to its total immersion in the history of Dubai, ideal for those seeking to understand how this city went from a desert to a center of global innovation.
4. OliOli Museum
Located in Creek Park, OliOli Museum is the first interactive museum for children in Dubai, designed to stimulate their curiosity and creativity. Divided into more than 40 themed galleries such as the park of the future, the magical world of Glowtopia, and nature, this space offers an educational experience through play.
Children can let their imaginations run wild experimenting as experts in aerodynamics in the hurricane cockpit, air curtain, even problem solving about friction and drag and as many other details as experts. They can also experiment in the Future Park, an area dedicated to the science and technology of the present and future, where learning from mistakes and collaborative work is promoted on a large scale. The guided tour of Dubai included in the Dubai All-Inclusive Pass includes the tour of this museum.
Details of interest
- Address: 62 4 A St - Al Quoz - Al Quoz 1 - Dubai.
- Hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm; Friday and Saturday 9:00 am - 9:00 pm. Sundays 9:00 am - 8:00 pm.
- The museum is: ideal for families with children of all ages, including curious teenagers.
5. Dubai Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions offers a fascinating experience where entertainment and learning go hand in hand. Through its interactive exhibits, visitors can not only observe, but also become part of the illusions.
Here, nothing is what it seems. Optical illusions challenge the perception of reality, creating unique moments ideal for photography. One of its main attractions is the famous Vortex Tunnel, which provokes a sense of disorientation when walking through a tunnel that seems to move, even though it remains stationary.
On the other hand, the museum offers an educational approach, explaining the science behind the illusions and challenging skills with games and puzzles that will test the mind. Perfect for all ages, this museum guarantees fun for both children and adults, making it an ideal and practical plan for families right from the start, as they can arrive with the best tour buses.
Details of interest
- Address: Al Seef by Dubai Creek, Dubai.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
- The museum is: perfect for those who enjoy interactive and surprising experiences.
6. Al Shindagha Museum
Al Shindagha Museum offers a modern tour of Dubai's rich heritage and cultural tapestry.
Throughout its twenty pavilions and nearly a hundred historic houses, the museum celebrates the history and culture of Dubai. Exhibits highlight the daily life of the city's residents before the oil boom, showcasing the cultural heritage, customs and ancestral practices of the UAE.
The Al Shindagha Museum, which, by the way, you can also reach with the tour buses, includes a special section on the pearl trade, which was central to the economic development of the region, in addition to marine life, its multi-sensory pavilion dedicated to perfumes.
Details of interest
- Address: Al Shindagha District, Dubai Creek.
- Hours: Saturday to Thursday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; Friday, 2:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
- The museum is: a fixed stop on the best private tours of Dubai, excellent options to understand the roots of Dubai, before its transformation into a global city with expert guides.
7. Coffee Museum
Almost hidden among the labyrinthine streets of Al Fahidi, one of Dubai's must-see neighborhoods, opens its doors the Coffee Museum, a place dedicated to one of the most beloved traditions in the Middle East, as you may have guessed: the Arabian coffee.
This museum shows the history and culture of coffee in the region, with modest exhibits that explain the process of cultivation, production and preparation of this ancestral beverage. In addition, you can taste coffee from various parts of the world, while learning about its importance in Emirati culture. If you are at least 3 days in Dubai and you are interested in getting out of the malls and common areas to learn about the tradition of its flavors, I invite you to book a private tour of the area.
Details of interest
- Address: Villa 44, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Dubai.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
- The museum is: the place to learn about the tradition, culture and importance of Emirati coffee, while tasting a variety of this beverage of local or international origin.
8. Dubai Butterfly Museum or Butterfly Garden
The Dubai Butterfly Museum is a true sanctuary of biodiversity located in the Dubai Miracle Garden. Entry to this museum is included when purchasing the Dubai Explorer Pass. This space houses more than 10,000 butterflies of 50 species, distributed in a dozen air-conditioned domes that recreate natural conditions for butterflies.
Visitors can walk among the butterflies, which fly freely, offering a unique experience of immersion in nature. In addition, each dome has a specific theme and area for visitors to learn more about the different species and their ecological importance.
Details of interest
- Address: Al Barsha South 3, Dubailand, Dubai.
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.
- The museum is: ideal for nature lovers and for those who want to take a photo tour in Dubai with a break from the urban hustle and bustle.
9. Women's Museum
Among the things to do in the Deira neighborhood is a visit to the Bait Al Banat Women's Museum, also known as the Women's Museum, offers a unique perspective on the role and contributions of Emirati women following their history, styles, traditions and advancements.
Its name, meaning**"House of Girls**," refers to its location in a traditional early 20th century house. Through its various rooms, the museum presents exhibitions that include photographs, objects of daily life and contemporary art created by Emirati women.
This space not only celebrates women's history and culture from an Eastern point of view, but also promotes women's empowerment in the region, showing how they have influenced various fields such as education, politics and economics.
Details of interest
- Address: Al Ras neighborhood, Deira, Dubai.
- Hours: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm, Saturday to Thursday.
- The museum is: a museum of contrasts, essential for those interested in female empowerment and Emirati cultural history.
10. Etihad Museum
This museum, whose name literally means union, houses the Union House, and at its headquarters offers an immersive tour of the modern history of the United Arab Emirates, focusing on the key events that led to the founding of the nation in 1971 and the erection of skyscrapers in the middle of the desert.
This space not only stands out for its content, but also for its innovative design. A work of the architectural firm Moriyama & Teshima in the form of a scroll, it symbolizes the union agreement between the emirates, and already since its inauguration in 2017 earned it the award for the best new museum in the Middle East.
Through the Etihad Museum's interactive exhibits, visitors can get up close and personal with historical documents, photos, and artifacts related to the formation of the country, in addition to the agreement that gave birth to the union of the Emirates.
Details of interest
- Address: 1 Jumeirah Street, Dubai.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
- The museum is: a journey to the origins of the United Arab Emirates spread over 25,000 square meters, ideal for learning about the key historical events of the region, especially from 1968 onwards, when the era of its oil boom began.
11. Infinity des Lumières
Infinity des Lumières is an innovative digital gallery that transforms art into a multi-sensory experience and is located in the Dubai Mall, so it's no wonder it has become a must-see among the things to see and do in the Dubai Marina.
Using advanced projection technology and surround sound, the museum allows visitors to immerse themselves in masterpieces by artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, and Klimt. The walls and floors come alive with moving images that are synchronized to atmospheric music, creating a unique environment where art is interactive.
In addition to classical art exhibitions, digital installations by contemporary artists are also presented, making this space a state-of-the-art cultural experience.
Details of interest
- Address: Dubai Mall, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, you will even see it from above at the Burj Khalifa.
- Hours: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm, daily.
- The museum is: ideal for those looking for an immersive and modern art experience, combining futuristic technology.
12. Art Museum Dubai
The Art Museum Dubai is an innovative museum that combines contemporary art with immersive technology, offering a multi-sensory experience that immerses visitors in visual and sound landscapes.
Exhibits focus on themes such as nature, time and space, and use light, sound and movement to create unique immersive experiences. This museum redefines the way art is perceived, inviting visitors to be an active part of each installation.
Details of interest
- Address: Bluewaters Island, Dubai.
- Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
- The museum is: perfect for art and technology lovers.