Women’s Museum – Bait Al Banat

Celebrate the lives and achievements of women in the UAE

A visit to the Women’s Museum located at Bait Al Banat in Deira is a fascinating journey through time. This fascinating centre puts the spotlight on some of the UAE’s greatest influencers and illustrates how they’ve played an integral part in shaping the rich history of both Dubai and the nation – and continue to inspire the future of the region.

The museum paints a vivid portrait of Emirati women over the years, educating visitors on their incredible contributions to society. Some themes that are explored include lifestyle, history, works of art and literature.

The exhibits and galleries celebrate their many achievements in various aspects of life; business, the arts, education, politics, and our society as a whole. You’re sure to leave with a deeper appreciation for the women behind the UAE’s success story.

Al Ahmadiya School & Heritage House

Learn about Dubai’s past at these heritage venues

Established in a two-storey building near the Gold Souk, Al Ahmadiya School was the first school in Dubai. At the time, the school attracted the finest scientists and scholars from the region and upheld a high standard of education from 1912 until it closed in 1958.

It was renovated and reopened in 1995 as a museum, with each room now offering visitors a glimpse into the past through dioramas and videos. You can find remnants of a beautiful past through intricate design, flow, and furnishings.

Right next door is Heritage House, which was built in 1890 by Matar Saeed bin Mazina and stands as a prime example of a historic abode today, complete with traditional furniture, household items, clothes, jewelry, toys, and more.

Pearl Museum

Admire thousands of perfect pearls on display

Before the discovery of oil, pearls were the biggest cash crop in the Gulf, whose warm, shallow waters produced some of the world’s finest.

Thanks to the foresight and generosity of Ali Bin Abdullah Al Owais a prominent pearl trader in the 1940s and 50s and his son, Sultan Al Owais, you can see many of these exquisite natural wonders on display at the Emirates NBD Pearl Museum.

In addition to examples of magnificent jewellery, the museum also celebrates the lives of the divers and sailors by displaying the instruments and tools they used to harvest and ship the precious cargo.

Please note, you can only visit the Pearl Museum by prearranging with Emirates NBD beforehand. They prefer 8-10 people to visit at a time, with an upper limit of about 20 people in a larger group.

Dubai Museum

Uncover the origins of UAE within a historic fort

Visit the Dubai Museum and encounter colourful dioramas and enlightening historic exhibits. Housed in the Al Fahidi Fort, this is the oldest existing building in the city and a must-visit for a taste of old Dubai. Built in 1787, this fort was once the monarch’s base, a fortified residence, and weapons arsenal and prison, before being renovated during the reign of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

In 1971 (the same year the United Arab Emirates was formed), the fort reopened as Dubai Museum. Showcasing Dubai’s history and its original heritage, you can get a glimpse of everyday life before the discovery of oil in the UAE. The galleries recreate historic Arab houses, mosques, souks and date farms, while also depicting scenes from desert and marine life.

Trace the city’s growth story at Dubai Museum
You can also explore the rich history of pearl diving in the region, including actual weights and scales used at the time. In fact, items dating as far back as 3000BC are on show, carefully preserved and cared for to ensure even more longevity. See the vast difference between the old and modern Dubai – which developed over just a few years. You’ll find the museum at the southern end of the Dubai Creek.

**Please note, this venue is currently under renovation and will be closed to the public until further notice.

Jumeirah Mosque

Gain insights into Islamic culture at Jumeirah Mosque

One of the most iconic landmarks in Dubai, the Jumeirah Mosque welcomes visitors of all faiths to admire the surroundings and learn about Islam and the local culture.

Jumeirah Mosque is large enough to hold up to 1,200 worshippers, and was built entirely from white stone in the medieval Fatimid tradition, with towering twin minarets framing a large central dome. When it’s lit up at dusk, the intricate artistry and true beauty are highlighted.

Everyone is welcome at Jumeirah mosque
Adopting an ‘Open Doors, Open Minds’ policy, local mosque representatives are on hand to conduct 75-minute guided tours six days a week at 10am. These tours are run by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCC) and offer visitors an opportunity to learn more about the Emirati way of life and religion.

Islamic holidays, rituals, traditions, cuisines and customs are all detailed in this tour. You can also hear more about the fasting month of Ramadan. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions and photography is welcome. You can even sample traditional Arabic snacks including coffee, dates and other varieties of food.

Tours are conducted in a welcoming and friendly environment, with special age-appropriate programs available for children as well. All visitors are advised to act respectfully and dress modestly; traditional attire is available to borrow. Women are asked to wear a scarf over their head during their visit, ensuring their shoulders are covered.

Al Jaber Gallery

Shop for antiques and souvenirs in Dubai

Al Jaber Gallery offers the best Arabian heritage under one roof with a range of keepsakes and mementos themed around Dubai. Tourists and business travellers can look for the perfect souvenirs, with a number of customisable options for a bespoke gift.

Admire the miniature dhow, khanjar and dalla, amid an array of colourful souvenirs. Take back cute leather stuffed camels, shawls, perfumes, Arabian mouse rugs, antique pieces carved out of metal, as well as silver plated artifacts.

The gift and souvenir chain was established in 1960 and now has multiple branches across the city and Dubai’s biggest malls. The go-to for Arabia-themed items was set up by Chariman Abdulla Jaber Belshalat, a Dubai-based veteran in handicrafts and antiques.

Dubai Historical District

Discover traditional Emirati culture in the heart of Dubai

Dubai Historical District is a developing project working towards the transformation of the Shindagha area, Saruq Al-Hadid Museum and Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. The district aims to preserve the emirate’s rich history and become a cultural hub for visitors.

It expands across 1.5sq/km, with 60 separate projects. Most of them will be showcasing traditional Emirati culture and heritage. Get ready for a wide selection of new attractions including museums, forts, restaurants, exhibits, trading boats, restored trade stores, arts and performance centres.

Tours by local Emirati guides will shed light on the district’s five main pillars: tradition, heritage, trade, community and place making. Aimed at highlighting Dubai’s ancestral legacy, Dubai Historical District is beautifully set against Dubai Creek, placing a huge emphasis on art and heritage.

Al Shindagha Museum

Glimpse into Dubai’s rich history

Set along the historic waters of Dubai Creek, Al Shindagha Museum tells the proud story of the nation’s past and reverent traditions. The museum’s ‘Dubai Creek: Birth of a City’ is a state-of-the-art multimedia experience that guides visitors through the area’s dramatic development over centuries.

The carefully-curated tour features interactive videos, touch displays and historic photographs and artefacts so visitors can gain insight into what it was like for Emiratis to raise a family by the waterways, and how maritime trade affected their livelihoods.

Afterwards, stop by the Perfume House and discover the story behind Emirati fragrances. It highlights how scents played an integral role in the nation’s history with a legacy that still lives on today. Visitors can explore Emirati culture via scent and learn stories associated with the perfumes that played an integral role in trade within the Emirates.

Breathing new life to one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, Al Shindagha Museum offers an inimitable glimpse into Dubai’s vibrant past.

Bayt Al Khanyar Museum

Learn about UAE heritage through the iconic ‘khanjar’ dagger

Gain a unique insight into one of the UAE’s most iconic items at Bayt Al Khanyar Museum & Coffee Shop – also known as the Dagger Museum. The Arabian dagger is an integral part of Emirati tradition, famously worn by His Highness Sheikh Zayed as well as many other prominent figures.

Within the ‘bayt’ (meaning house), visitors can take a look at treasured historical mementos of local culture, at Dubai’s only museum of Emirati daggers. The pristine items are on display along with a huge collection of historic photographs, depicting several generations of UAE rulers and citizens, proudly sporting their ‘khanjar’ blades as part of their outfits.

The cultural experience continues with the option of traditional coffee served at the museum’s cosy café. Entrance to the Bayt Al Khanyar Museum costs just AED5 and is located within the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, which is home to an incredible range of heritage houses and museums.

Bur Dubai Grand Mosque

Take a mosque tour and experience Islamic culture

Bur Dubai Grand Mosque, also known as Grand Bur Dubai Masjid, is one of the most iconic places of worship in Dubai. Located in the heritage area, the mosque has the capacity for 1,200 worshippers. It also has the tallest minaret in Dubai, measuring 70 metres (230 ft) and resembling a lighthouse.

The building has a rich history and was once a school, or ‘kuttab’, devoted to the study of the Quran. The first students attended in the year 1900 and memorised the Quran by heart. In 1960, a new mosque was built and was again rebuilt in 1998, designed to replicate the original architecture.

Make a visit to Dubai’s biggest mosque
Tourists can enjoy the Mosque Experience, aimed to boost awareness of Islamic and Arabic culture. Tours take place Sunday to Thursday morning, completely free of charge, and are suitable for anyone who has never visited a mosque before. Simply visit the website to register for the tour.

The full itinerary includes a warm welcome, ablution demonstration, a mosque tour, demonstration of prayer, an introduction to core beliefs, as well as time for questions and refreshments. Visitors should wear modest clothing and abayas (UAE traditional dress) will be provided for female guests. Those who cannot go in person or want to know what to expect ahead of their visit can watch an informative virtual tour of the mosque.