BackThe UAE is frequently associated with its towering skyscrapers and luxurious lifestyle, largely thanks to Dubai's opulent real estate market. However, the country also boasts a rich cultural heritage that isn't always apparent to visitors. This deeper cultural layer can be explored through its numerous museums. Among the most impressive are the newly opened Museum of the Future and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. For a more intimate glimpse into the culture of the UAE, consider visiting the various Museum and Exhibits in Dubai.
| 1. Museum of the Future | 2. Dubai Museum | 3. Etihad Museum |
| 4. Sharjah Art Museum | 5. Sharjah Natural History Museum | 6. Dubai Frame |
| 7. Other Museums to Consider |
Museum of the Future
The newest addition to Dubai's cultural lineup, the Museum of the Future was officially inaugurated in February 2022. Hailed as 'the most beautiful building in the world', the museum was designed using an algorithm that led to its unique ovoid shape with engraved Arabic calligraphy emphasising the museum's cultural roots. Technology is a key element in the interior design of the museum and its exhibits as well. There are several interactive experiences covering the future of humanity, a hopeful look at climate change, and the continued evolution of AI.
Dubai Museum
Without a doubt the one place that has to be on your list is the Dubai Museum. Located in the historic Al Fahidi area near the banks of the Dubai Creek, this museum shows you a side of the famous emirate that is far removed from glittering attractions such as the Burj Khalifa and Ain Dubai. Discover the simple yet culturally rich origins of the global metropolis that we all know today while exploring a well-traveled quarter of the city.
Etihad Museum
The Etihad Museum represents the unification of the seven emirates that make up the UAE. It is an expansion of Union House, the building where the declaration to unite the emirates was signed back in 1971, and is located on 2nd of December Street, named after the day the UAE was founded. Within the museum, visitors will also find several artifacts related to the political and military history of the country, divided among eight distinct pavilions.
Sharjah Art Museum
While Dubai is the UAE’s commercial hub, Sharjah is better known as the cultural heart of the nation, a fact evident in the emirate’s many museums. One of the most popular is the Sharjah Art Museum, a three-storey structure housing a vast collection of modern and contemporary art by artists from the UAE and several other countries around the Middle East. The museum has several permanent galleries and hosts temporary exhibitions as well, featuring local and international artists. There are also cultural activities and workshops held throughout the year.
Sharjah Natural History Museum
Discover the diversity of Dubai’s animal and plant kingdoms as you explore the Natural History Museum, which showcases everything from dinosaur fossils to taxidermic models of modern animal species. There are also interactive features that show how much of the country’s current landscape was formed. The museum is adjoined by a botanical garden with a variety of local flora, and a children’s farm and petting zoo.
Dubai Frame
One of the city’s newest attractions and one that provides a unique perspective on the city, Dubai Frame is a 150m-tall structure of glass and inlaid gold that is essentially a giant picture frame. A glass bridge running along the top of the frame provides a dramatic view of the older districts of Dubai on one side and the glittering newer city on the other. There are displays and interactive exhibits that showcase the city’s past, highlight key areas and provide a glimpse of how the city might look 50 years from now.
Other Museums to Consider
There really are many more museums around than one might realise. There is a Coin Museum, a Coffee Museum and even a Camel Museum, showcasing the history of how these animals came to be such a key part of Bedouin culture. Each of the other emirates has its own separate museum as well, if you really want to expand your cultural horizons and take a road trip around the country.
