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 capital's contemporary art map. If you're looking for things to see and do in Dubai, one of the best ways to explore the city's soul is through its museums.

From exhibitions dedicated to contemporary art to places documenting the emirate's economic and technological rise, Dubai's museums offer a unique insight into the transformation and evolution of this extraordinary place. In this article you'll find the top museums in Dubai with opening hours and addresses so you can plan a complete tour.

This famous wax museum, known the world over for its impressive celebrity replicas, has an iconic location in Dubai. With the purchase of your Madame Tussauds Dubai tickets you can enjoy seven themed zones, and see figures of musicians, actors, athletes and personalities from the Arab world. Highlights include Lionel Messi, singer Rihanna, and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, popular with local and international visitors. You can also pose with Queen Elizabeth II, Kylie Jenner and rapper Will.i.am.

The museum offers an interactive experience, allowing visitors to take photos with their favourite stars. However, what is not to be missed is the section dedicated to music icons and selfies with local personalities from the Arab world, unique to this Dubai venue. 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.
• Opening 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.

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, featuring interactive exhibits that seek to transform the way we see the world.

Visitors can also explore future utopias through an immersive visual narrative, and for ease of visit, entry is included when purchasing the Dubai Explorer Pass

Details of interest

• Address: Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.
• Opening hours: 10:00 - 18:00 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 it's beautiful to visit during the day, if you're in Dubai at night the museum will amaze you with its impressive lighting and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

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 world leader. It is the perfect place for those who want to learn about the roots of the Pearl of the Gulf.

Interesting details

• Address: Al Fahidi Street, Bur Dubai.
• Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday, 8.30am - 8.30pm; Friday, 2.30pm - 8.30pm.
• The museum is: a must-see, must-do in Al Fahidi for its total immersion in Dubai's history, ideal for those seeking to understand how the city grew from a desert to a centre of global innovation.

Located in Creek Park, OliOli Museum is Dubai's first interactive museum for children, 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 aerodynamics experts 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 grand scale. The guided tour of Dubai included in the Dubai All-Inclusive Pass includes the tour of this museum.

Interesting details

• Address: 62 4 A St - Al Quoz - Al Quoz 1 - Dubai.
• Opening 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.

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 as 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 as you walk through a tunnel that appears 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 children and adults alike, making it an ideal and practical plan for families right from the start, as it can be reached by the best tour buses.

Interesting details

• Address: Al Seef by Dubai Creek, Dubai.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 to 22:00.
• The museum is: perfect for those who enjoy interactive and surprising experiences.

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 ancient practices of the UAE.

The Al Shindagha Museum, which, incidentally, can also be reached by tour buses, includes a special section on the pearl trade, which was central to the region's economic development, as well as marine life, its multi-sensory pavilion dedicated to perfumes.

Interesting details

• Address: Al Shindagha District, Dubai Creek.
• Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday, 10am-6pm; Friday, 2.30pm-8pm.
• The museum is: a regular stop on Dubai's best private tours, an excellent way to understand Dubai's roots before its transformation into a global city with expert guides.

Almost hidden in the labyrinthine streets of Al Fahidi, one of Dubai's must-see neighbourhoods, is the Coffee Museum, a place dedicated to one of the Middle East's most beloved traditions, you guessed it: Arabian coffee.

This museum showcases the history and culture of coffee in the region, with modest exhibits explaining the process of cultivation, production and preparation of this ancient beverage. In addition, you can taste coffee from various parts of the world, while learning about its importance in Emirati culture. If you are in Dubai for at least 3 days and you are interested in getting out of the shopping malls and common areas to get to know the tradition of its flavours, I invite you to book a private tour of the area.

Details of interest

• Address: Villa 44, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Dubai.
• Opening 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 locally and internationally sourced coffee.

The Dubai Butterfly Museum is a true sanctuary of biodiversity located in the Dubai Miracle Garden. Entry to this museum is included with the purchase of the Dubai Explorer Pass. It houses more than 10,000 butterflies of 50 species, housed 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 so visitors can learn more about the different species and their ecological importance.

Interesting details

• Address: Al Barsha South 3, Dubailand, Dubai.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.
• The museum is: ideal for nature lovers and for those who want to take a photo tour of Dubai with a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Among the things to do in the Deira neighbourhood is a visit to the Bait Al Banat Women's Museum, also known as the Women's Museum, which offers a unique perspective on the role and contributions of Emirati women following their history, styles, traditions and advancements.

Its name, which means**"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 from everyday 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 Quarter, Deira, Dubai.
• Hours: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm, Saturday to Thursday.
• The museum is: A museum of contrasts, essential for those interested in women's empowerment and Emirati cultural history.

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 UAE, 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 is notable not only for its content, but also for its innovative design. Designed by architectural firm Moriyama & Teshima in the form of a scroll, it symbolises the union agreement between the emirates, and since its opening in 2017 it has already 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 artefacts related to the formation of the country, as well as the agreement that gave birth to the union of the Emirates.

Details of interest

• Address: 1 Jumeirah Street, Dubai.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 to 20:00.
• The museum is: a journey to the origins of the United Arab Emirates spread over 25,000 square metres, ideal for learning about key historical events in the region, especially from 1968 onwards, when its oil boom era began.

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 one of the must-see and do things to 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 synchronised 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 cutting-edge cultural experience.

Details of interest

• Address: Dubai Mall, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, you will even see it from the top of the Burj Khalifa.
• Opening hours: 10am - 10pm daily.
• The museum is: ideal for those looking for an immersive and modern art experience, combining futuristic technology.

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 audio landscapes.

Exhibitions 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.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
• The museum is: perfect for art and technology lovers.