Museum in United Arab Emirates

A visit to a museum in United Arab Emirates is the best way to step into the past and understand the city’s culture. From art and history to science and innovation, museums here offer something for every interest. MakeMyTrip lists 1494 must-visit museums in United Arab Emirates for 2025, making it easy to plan your trip. Exhibits are well curated, with guided tours and interactive displays that keep both adults and children engaged. Whether you’re fascinated by ancient artefacts or modern installations, each museum tells a story worth exploring. With United Arab Emirates museum prices starting from INR 397, spending a few hours inside is affordable yet highly rewarding. This December, discover a new side of United Arab Emirates with MakeMyTrip’s handpicked museums.

Discovering the Best Museums in the UAE: A Journey into the Emirates’ Culture

The UAE is best known for its modern technologies and infrastructure, luxurious shopping, and not to mention skyscrapers, and desertic adventure. But what about the art and culture of this charming gulf country? These are the roots of Emirates traditions that attract millions of tourists across the world. In fact, it holds great significance, which is creatively portrayed in the museums in the UAE.

Some of these historic museums can take you back to fishing villages and pearl diving days, while others bring the future alive with science and technology. Whether you’re travelling as a family or wandering solo, there’s always a museum worth stepping into. Let’s have a look at this list of museums in UAE:

Exploring Diverse Museums of the UAE

Art Museums

1 - Louvre Abu Dhabi

One of the most artistic museums in the UAE, Louvre Abu Dhabi is probably the museum that most travellers have heard of, and for good reason. The museum galleries at the Louvre tell the story of humanity through twelve chapters, starting with an introduction. The artwork on display, ranging from prehistoric works to contemporary art, includes the museum’s collection as well as works on loan from prestigious French museums. Even if art isn’t usually your thing, just walking under that dome and seeing the scale of the place is an experience in itself. Louvre is among the most famous museums in UAE.

• Address: Located on Saadiyat Island, about 15 minutes by car from downtown Abu Dhabi. You can grab a bus from the city centre, but most visitors take a taxi or rideshare for convenience. Parking is available if you’re driving yourself.
• Hours of Operation: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM (closed on Mondays).

2 - Etihad Museum, Dubai

The Etihad Museum is where you go to understand how the UAE began. Built on the spot where the Union was signed in 1971, the museum takes you back to those early days of independence, making it one of the most enlightening museums in UAE. You’ll see the founding documents, photographs of the leaders, and even personal items that belonged to them. The exhibits aren’t dry, though there are interactive screens and films that make it easy to picture the atmosphere of that time.

The design of the building matches the story inside. All glass and sweeping curves, it feels fresh and modern, reflecting the future-focused spirit of the country. Visitors often leave saying it’s one of the few places where history feels both official and personal at the same time.

• Address: Located in Jumeirah, near Union House. The easiest way is to hop on the metro to the World Trade Centre, then take a short taxi ride. Buses also run along Jumeirah Road, and parking is available for those driving.
• Hours of Operation: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

History Museums

1 - Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation

Nestled along a waterfront in an amazing souq, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation allows one to dive deep into the roots of Arab and Islamic culture. With the exhibits spanning over two floors, visitors learn about the rituals, artefacts, textiles and more at one of the most impressive museums in UAE.

The galleries on the ground floor exhibit various angles of Islamic faith, from their scientific accomplishments in astronomy and mathematics to their rituals and the significance of the hajj. The upper floor galleries here also feature the timeline of 1400 years of art and artefacts of Islamic culture.

• Address: Located on Corniche Street in Sharjah. Taxis are the simplest way to reach it, though buses do stop nearby if you’re coming from the city centre. Parking is available in the area.
• Hours of Operation: Open Saturday to Thursday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and on Fridays from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

2 - Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi

If you want to feel Abu Dhabi’s history in a physical way, Qasr Al Hosn is the place. It started life as a watchtower guarding a water source, then grew into a fort and later the residence of the ruling family. After careful restoration, this place is now open as a museum.
At one of the most insightful museums in the UAE, you can explore rooms filled with artefacts, photographs, and interactive displays that trace the city’s journey from fishing settlement to capital. Spend a little time wandering here, and you’ll see how the past and present meet in one spot.

• Address: Located right in downtown Abu Dhabi on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street. Several bus routes pass nearby, but most visitors simply take a taxi or rideshare. Parking is available close to the entrance, though it can get crowded on weekends.
• Hours of Operation: Open Saturday to Thursday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and on Fridays from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Science & Technology Museums

1 - Sharjah Science Museum

Counted among the top museums in UAE, this one is all about getting hands-on. It’s especially popular with families, because kids are encouraged to touch, try, and experiment. There are sections on electricity, sound, and the human body, along with games that test reflexes or challenge you to solve puzzles. The small planetarium is another favourite, giving children their first look at the stars.
The space isn’t huge, but it’s lively and full of things to try out. For parents, it’s a bonus because kids usually forget they’re learning while having fun. Many families end up staying longer than they expected, moving from one interactive area to the next.

• Address: The museum is located on Al Abrar Street in Sharjah. Taxis are the easiest option, though buses do pass nearby. Rideshares are also widely available, and parking is right outside the museum.
• Hours of Operation: Saturday to Thursday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Fridays from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

2 - Al Ain National Museum

Although Al Ain might not be the first city people think of when it comes to museums, but this one makes it worth the trip. Visitors here get to see how traditions in water use or farming connect directly to modern approaches in sustainability. It’s not as large as Abu Dhabi or Dubai’s attractions, but it feels grounded and relevant to the local setting, making it one of the most significant museums in UAE.

• Address: Located in the centre of Al Ain, this museum is easily reached by taxi or bus from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Parking is simple in this quieter city, and rideshares also operate here.
• Hours of Operation: Usually open daily from late morning to evening.

Cultural & Speciality Museums

1 - Dubai Museum or Al Fahidi Fort

Dubai Museum, set inside the old Al Fahidi Fort, is a classic stop for anyone curious about the city’s past. Although it’s currently under renovation, it has long been a favourite for showing what life was like before oil and skyscrapers. Inside, the galleries recreate markets, homes, and workshops, with models of pearl divers and traders going about their work.

It’s a simple but powerful way to see how Dubai transformed from a small port town into today’s metropolis. Once it reopens, it will no doubt continue to be one of most visited cultural attractions and museums in UAE.

• Address: Located in the Al Fahidi Historical District, a short walk from Al Fahidi metro station. Taxis are everywhere in this area, and rideshares can also drop you directly at the fort. Parking is limited, but possible if you arrive early.
• Hours of Operation: Open daily from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM, except Fridays.

2 - Women’s Museum, Dubai

The Women’s Museum is tucked away near the Gold Souk in Deira, and it’s one of Dubai’s more unusual stops. The museum celebrates the role of women in Emirati society, past and present. Inside, you’ll find displays on poets, artists, and educators, along with documents and personal stories that shine a light on contributions that often go unnoticed. This is indeed among the most remarkable museums in UAE.

The space is smaller than some of the city’s grand museums, but it makes up for that with intimacy and depth. Visitors often leave saying it gave them a new perspective on how women helped shape the UAE’s culture.

• Address: Located right next to the Gold Souk in Deira. Al Ras metro station is the closest stop, just a short walk away. Buses also run frequently into the souk area, and taxis can drop you at the entrance. Parking is limited.
• Hours of Operation: Saturday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Closed on Fridays.

Children’s Museums

1 - OliOli Children’s Museum, Dubai

OliOli is one of the most exciting museums in UAE, designed with kids in mind, and it shows in every corner. The museum has several themed galleries, from water play zones where children splash and build, to air-powered exhibits where they can launch rockets. Bright colours and safe spaces make it fun for children of all ages.

Parents like that the learning feels natural, built into games and exploration. Workshops and special events are often added to the regular exhibits, so repeat visits are never the same. For families in Dubai, it has become a go-to spot for active play that is also educational.

• Address: Located in Al Quoz, Dubai. Most visitors take a taxi or rideshare, as public transport doesn’t reach the museum directly. Parking is available on site if you are driving.
• Hours of Operation: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

2 - Children’s City, Dubai

Children’s City is a long-time favourite located inside Creek Park. It’s a huge indoor space with exhibits on science, nature, and even human anatomy. There’s also a planetarium, which is often the highlight for families. Younger children have their own areas with age-appropriate games and activities. It is counted among the most fun-filled museums in UAE.

Because it sits within Creek Park, many families make a day of it, combining the museum with a picnic or walk by the water. It’s the kind of place where kids run from one corner to the next, discovering something new each time.

• Address: Located inside Creek Park, this museum is best reached by taking the metro to Health Care City and then a short taxi ride. Parking is available at the park entrance, and buses also stop nearby.
• Hours of Operation: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.