Best History Museums in Dubai

Shaped like a policeman's cap, the Dubai Police Museum pays ode to the past glories of the city's esteemed police force. Opened for public viewing in 1987, this museum offers an insight into the well-oiled machinery of the force, with several carefully-documented exhibits, weapons, photographs and more. Some collections can be traced back to the time when the force was originally formed in 1956.

A trip to Dubai is not complete without visiting the Dubai Museum, located in Al Fahidi Fort. Originally built as a defense against foreign invasion, the impressive fort was later transformed into a museum that allows visitors to delve into the rich and unique heritage and culture of the city. Inaugurated in 1971, the museum boasts spectacular exhibits depicting traditional Arab homes, mosques, fishing, pearl diving history, trade, and other aspects of everyday life. Visitors can also survey model souks inspired by traditional marketplaces. Moreover, vivid descriptions of life in the desert and the experiences of the nomadic Bedouins add to the cultural richness of the museum. One of the highlights at the museum is an exhibit featuring artifacts from excavated graves in the Emirates from the 3rd millennium BCE.

On the Shindagha edge of Dubai Creek stands the former residence of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai from 1912-1958 and grandfather of Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. A historical attraction for visitors in Dubai, the late 19th-century Arabian architecture is appreciated by all. The house was once the seat of Dubai's local government. Today, tourists can observe a rare collection of historic photographs, coins, stamps and documents of Dubai's history inside the building. The building itself is an architectural jewel and amazes with its sheer size and craftsmanship, its hue blending in seamlessly with the desert landscape. For a small admission fee, H.H. Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House makes for an enlightening visit.

A visit to the Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili is a perfect chance to experience the wonderful heritage houses in the city. It is located in a busy commercial area close to Dubai creek. The museum expresses the fine taste and sense of the famous poet. The architectural designs in the house are worth marveling at. The museum has nine wings that correspond to his life, writings, poetry, cultural and social life. It also has a wide collection of documents and its commandments. Visitors can also take a look at some of the precious set of collections, furniture and household tools that represent the ending of the 19th century.