The Best Museums In UAE To Visit For Acknowledging History
The United Arab Emirates is well-known as a country of lavish lifestyles and tall towers that kiss the sky. But this country has also got a historical perspective that adds a layer of cultural value as well. This cultural representation of different areas of the United Arab Emirates is present in the museums that the visitors do not see most of the time because of their lack of knowledge.
But you must know that there are a lot of options where you can find out about the cultural and historical scenes of this Arab country. So, if you want to know about these aspects of the UAE, pay visits to the best museums in UAE that define these aspects in detail and perfectly well. We came up with this blog to deliver perfect knowledge about the best museums working on the premises of the entire United Arab Emirates.
The 10 Best Museums In UAE Where Visitors Must Go!
If you want to go through the ancient, dating-back cultural approach of the Emirati culture, then this piece of writing is going to be very useful for you. By keeping in mind the visitor’s attractions, we have jotted down the most appreciated and distinctive museums in Dubai. The list of the 10 best museums in UAE is.
- Etihad Museum
- Sharjah Natural History Museum
- Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Emirates National Auto Museum
- Al Ain Palace Museum Abu Dhabi
- Sharjah Archaeological Museum Sharjah
- Pearl Museum Dubai
- Dubai Police Museum
- Sharjah Maritime Museum
- Al Oqaili Museum
This is the ultimate list of our top 10 museum picks in Dubai, which are the most appreciated and best museums in UAE. If you are a visitor and want to know the history and the cultural approach of the United Arab Emirates, then you must pay a visit to these museums as they represent Arab culture and civilization as well. So, with no delay, let us have a quick and brief look at all these museums.
1. Etihad Museum
- Address: 1 Jumeirah St – Al Mina – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- Timing: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday (10 AM to 8 PM)
- Contact: +971 4 515 5100
- Entry Fee:Adult (25+ years): 25 AED
- Group: 20 AED per person
- Student (5-24 years): 10 AED
- People of Determination: Free
- Child (0-4 years): Free
The Etihad Museum is considered the most visited and best museums in UAE, as it represents the unification or fusion of all the 7 emirates that make up the UAE when combined. It is, in fact, the expansion plan of the Union House that came into being in 1971. The museum contains several artifacts of military and political history as well and has 8 pavilions in total.
Different Exhibitions And Pavilions Of Etihad Museum
This great Etihad Museum has a lot of exhibits, and it is divided into 8 portions or pavilions. Each pavilion has its own importance and contains all the different items and objects to be displayed. So let us have a look at each pavilion one by one in our blog right here.
Pavilion 1: Pavilion One is very simple. It is categorized as exhibiting a perfect documentary on the United Arab Emirates.
Pavilion 2: In this second pavilion, a map is present which portrays the United Arab Emirates before the unification with all these 7 emirates.
Pavilion 3: In the 3rd pavilion, you can visualize the highlights and the major events that occurred before the UAE’s unification.
Pavilion 4: The fourth pavilion is of great importance because it illustrates the meeting between the 2-persons who are the founders of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
Pavilion 5: The fifth pavilion is dedicated to showing an informational guide that presents the visuals of how the United Arab Emirates was formed.
Pavilion 6: Challenges that were faced by the forefathers during the union of these emirates are described in the 6th pavilion of the Etihad Museum.
Pavilion 7: The accrual declaration of the United Arab Emirates is classically described very subtly in this pavilion.
Pavilion 8: In pavilion number 8, you can see the celebration gallery, which represents the joy and warm-heartedness of the new nation.
Facilities That Can Be Availed In The Museum
Some basic and major facilities that must be included in any museum are present in the Etihad Museum. Here we have enlisted the appealing facilities you can avail off on the premises of this museum.
- Education Centre
- Restaurant
- Garden
- Meeting Room
- Exhibition Hall
- A library with an amazing collection of books
- 7sands cafe
2. Sharjah Natural History Museum
- Address: Al Dhaid Road, Interchange No.9, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Timing: Thursday,Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday (9 AM to 5:30 PM)
- Friday (2 PM to 5:30 PM)
- Thursday (11 AM to 5:30 PM)
- Contact: +971-65311411
- Entry Fee: AED 15 for adults
Free for children below the age of 12
In this museum, you can discover the plant and animal kingdoms that are breathing in the deserts and other life areas of Dubai. This museum is a completely natural history expressing museum which shows a lot of things from the past and other flora and fauna of the present UAE as well.
From the taxidermic models of modern-age animals to the skeletons of extinct dinosaurs, everything is perfectly displayed in this museum, which is said to be a real attraction for tourists and visitors and expressed as a one of the best museums in UAE.
Interactive Features
After entering the Sharjah Natural History Museum, you can also get through the interactive features that will briefly tell you how much of the country’s current landscape area has been formed. There are many other major aspects that make this museum a brilliant choice among visitors and tourists.
Children always have a pretty enjoyable time in this museum and add to their knowledge as well. It is near Sharjah International Airport on Al Dhaid Road. A petting zoo is also present in this museum to make the overall trip for the kids very interesting and enjoyable as well. The overall reputation of the museum is positive among the visitors.
Facilities That Can Be Availed In The Museum
As it is clear by the name, the museum offers perfect knowledge and models of the different histories of nature. The natural aspects and the history of the entire country (United Arab Emirates) have been eloquently described in this museum, and some irresistible facilities that you can enjoy in the museum are enlisted below.
- You can see the different fauna and flora present across the country.
- Fossils of historic animals are also present.
- A variety of local flora is present in the adjacent botanical garden.
- You can enjoy easy access to Sharjah International Airport from this museum.
- A children’s farm is also present to make children’s trips enjoyable.
- A petting zoo for kids is also available.
3. Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Address: Saadiyat – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
- Timing: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday (10:00 AM to 8:00 PM)
- Thursday & Friday – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Monday (closed)
- Contact:+971 600 565566
- Entry Fee:Adults (22 years and above): AED 63
- For ages from 13 to 22 years: AED 31.5
- Faculty members of School & university: AED 31.5
- UAE military: AED 31.5
- Workshop or Auditorium ticket holders: AED 31.5
- Children under 13 years: Free entry
The Louvre Abu Dhabi museum is the very first museum of its own kind that encourages civilization and art in the United Arab Emirates. This museum is considered a cultural landmark and is present in the locality of Saadiyat Cultural District.
With the strong emphasis on the appreciation and the preservation of the culture of all the Emirates, this location is the ideal one. Let us have a thorough analysis into the details of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum.
Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Architecture
An architect of French origin, Jean Nouvel, designed this place as a complete museum city, which is constructed under a huge silver dome. The dome is manufactured using about 7,850 distinct and humongous sizes, accompanied by accurate angles. You can see that there are 8 layers from which this dome is made.
Of which, four layers are made from aluminum and the remaining four are manufactured from stainless steel. The dome is styled and designed before the Cupola, which features Arabian architecture. It acts like a really protective canopy against the heat and cold coming from the outside of the museum.
Facilities That Can Be Availed In The Museum
This museum is of very great significance as it is in a very important building in the cultural district of Abu Dhabi also appears as on of the best museums in UAE. It draws the attention of the visitors and tourists towards itself in a true sense because it offers exceptional things and up-to-the-mark features that cast a spell, creating a beautiful scenario in the minds of the viewers.
There are a lot of facilities that you can enjoy on visiting this place. Here we have also mentioned some of the best and the most outstanding benefits and worth-mentioning spots which have been built up in the museum and provide extraordinary charm to the building as well. Let us have a quick look at them.
- The huge silvery dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum is very attractive and facilitates the cooling system. It also protects the building from external heat and cold as well.
- Besides visualizing the architecture, the very amazing thing that cannot be neglected at all is a museum city on the sea.
- Besides being beautiful, the dome also provides natural cooling to the entire building by minimizing the heat energy of the atmosphere.
- You can also enjoy the facility of a controlled environment in this museum. Its environmental micro-control system creates a very serene/comfortable environment in the overall museum.
4. Emirates National Auto Museum
- Address: South of Abu Dhabi, Hamim Road, Off E11, Al Dhafra – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
- Timing: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, & Monday (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM)
- Tuesday (closed)
- Contact: +971 50 279 2620
- Entry Fee: Adult: AED 50
- Children (under 10 years): Free
This beautiful auto display museum is present at a location about 45 kilometers south of the city of Abu Dhabi. From the oldest, the longest, and the most expensive, to the biggest and most expensive collection of cars, they are all displayed in this museum. The collection in this showroom is actually the private car collection of Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan.
In this museum, there are present about 200 vehicles that include classic American cars, some off-road vehicles, and prototypes as well. Besides these noteworthy minions, there are also present some mind-blowing and record-creating vehicles in the Emirates National Auto Museum of the United Arab Emirates.
Some Worth Mentioning Cars
The oldest car which is displayed in this showroom is an 1885 steam-powered Mercedes. This car, being the oldest and unique, has always been the center of focus for the visitors and for car hobbyists as well. The latest glass-encased SUVs and the largest trucks are the mind-blowing possessions of this museum, which are accompanied by the oldest and biggest vehicles in the world.
The Mercedes 500 SELs in seven rainbow colors, which were bought in 1983 by Shiekh, have become the most highlighted items in the whole museum. This museum is also featured in the BBC’s Top Gear programs. If you are on the way to Liwa Oasis, then this place will be a suitable spot to visit. The Emirates National Auto Museum is no less than a blessing for car enthusiasts.
Facilities That Can Be Availed In The Museum
Like the other museums, you can also avail of some of the major and basic facilities in this Emirates National Auto Museum as well, considered top rated & best museums in UAE. If you are planning to visit this place, then you must know about the basic facilities that will be given to you on your visit. We have listed some of them below.
- If you want a car buff, then you must visit this place.
- Taking snaps and photographs inside the museum is allowed.
- You can not have any eateries or cafeterias in the museum. The nearest eateries will be present in the city of Abu Dhabi.
- You can carry your own beverages, food items, and snacks into the museum as there is no restriction on carrying food and drink items.
- The museum is centrally air-conditioned.
- If you are a tourist or traveler, you can also avail yourself of restroom facilities in the museum.
5. Al Ain Palace Museum Abu Dhabi
- Address: Al Ain St – Central District – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
- Timing: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
- Friday (2:00 PM to 6:00 PM)
- Contact: +971 3 711 8388
- Entry Fee: Free
In Abu Dhabi, if you are looking for the best-restored museum, then Al Ain Palace is considered at the top of the list. The Al Ain Palace was the home to the first president and founding father of the nation and the country, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
He lived in this palace till the late 60s and then he shifted to Abu Dhabi. This Al Ain Palace Museum shows the lifestyle and culture of the ruling family and the people’s community until the change of the country after the discovery of petroleum.
The oldest building that is in the palace was built in 1937. The palace was transformed into a museum in 1998 for cultural and tourist attractions, and the renovation work started in 1998 as well. But the museum was officially opened to the public and tourists in 2001. So from that time, the museum opened its doors to visitors and tourists and reflected the great history and culture of this nation as well.
Make Your Trip Amazing By Visiting This Cultural Palace!
If you are looking for a palace cultural destination to visit in Abu Dhabi, then this Al Ain Cultural Museum, which used to be the residence of Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, is the best place.
You can witness different places in the palace that show the perfect exhibition of jewelry, art pieces, ornaments, and beautiful oil paintings that are also present on the exhibition sets of this palace, which truly describe the cultural and traditional values of the family of the founding father of the country, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Facilities That Can Be Availed In The Museum
This palace has been the residential place of the first president of the country and the founder as well, so it is equipped with a lot of facilities and services. At this museum, you can enjoy some very amazing features and services. Some of these facilities are described:
- The palace premises have suites that are dedicated to the visitors as guest rooms.
- A reception room is also present in the palace for international delegations.
- To provide shade during hot weather, Albarzah (the upper majlis place) is on the top as well.
- In the outside yard of the palace, there is a coffee room, which was used to deliver Arabic coffee throughout the palace in the past.
- One dedicated study room with the original blackboard and tables of Shiek’s sons is also present in the original condition in this museum.