Weekdays vs weekends

Weekdays are the best for a smooth, unhurried museum visit. During the weekdays, crowds are lighter, galleries feel more spacious, and you can take your time exploring. Weekends, especially Fridays and Saturdays, tend to get busy with families and tourists, so expect longer lines and a more energetic atmosphere. 

Peak season vs Low season

Peak season( November- March)  brings pleasant weather and higher footfall, so it’s wise to visit early in the day to avoid crowds. Low season ( April- October) is hotter outdoors, but museums stay cool and comfortable, making them a perfect indoor escape. You will also find fewer visitors, giving you more room to enjoy each exhibit at your own pace.

The transportation facilities are very efficient and comfortable in Dubai. You can reach the corners very easily and affordably. Here are more insights about the ways to reach museums in Dubai with private and public transportation:

Metro-friendly museums

• Red Line: You can take the red line to reach the museums like the Etihad Museum (nearest station – World Trade Centre Metro Station) and Museum of the Future (nearest station – Emirates Towers Metro Station). These stations are within a very walkable distance from the metro.
• Green Line: Reach the other museums by taking the green line on the Dubai metro. Visit the Dubai Museum, Coin Museum, Coffee Museum and Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding with the nearest metro station at the Al Fahidi Metro Station. Furthermore, take the green line of the Dubai metro station from the nearest Al Ghubaiba Metro Station to reach the Dubai Heritage Village & Diving Village Museum.    

Taxi/Bus proximity

• By Bus: There are a few museums that are more accessible by bus rather than the Dubai metro. The bus routes, like F11, cover Bur Dubai and Al Fahidi. Bus route 8 connects the Jumeirah and Bur Dubai. Moreover, the X28 provides a smooth route between the DXB airport, Deira and Bur Dubai. If you want to visit Creek, Bur Dubai and Al Karama, then C01 is a better option. 
• By Taxi: The facility of taxis in Dubai is very smooth; you can access almost any area with it. However, it can be a little costlier at times. Besides, there are a few museums which are best visited with taxis. These museums are Oli Oli Children’s Museum, Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, Camel Museum, Al Shindagha Museum and the Hatta Heritage Village.

• Recommended duration for each museum: For a museum in Dubai, the expected time to spend is 1.5 to 2 hours at the Museum of Illusion or the Museum of the Future. Whereas the Arte Museum is also recommended for around 90 minutes. In Abu Dhabi, a visit to the Louvre is generally recommended for almost 2 hours. 
• Facilities available: Museums in Dubai and Abu Dhabi do not offer every type of facility, but the Museum of the Future (Dubai) and the Louvre Abu Dhabi have most of them, like a cafe, gift shop and prayer room. Along with this, some specialised museums, like children’s or interactive ones, have dedicated facilities such as a play area for kids. Museums with kids’ play areas are OliOli, The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and Pop In & Play. 
• Locker availability for large bags: At most museums and attractions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, storage for large bags is available. However, it requires using an external service or leaving them at a designated area for a fee, as on-site lockers don’t accommodate large items. Some museums, such as the Museum of the Future, may have size restrictions and require checked baggage, whereas others, like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, are served by external companies like Nannybags. 
• Photography restrictions: In some Dubai and Abu Dhabi museums, photography is prohibited, like the Louvre Abu Dhabi. This is to protect delicate artworks from light damage as well as prevent disruption to other visitors. Visitors can typically use hand-held cameras, but commercial and flash photography is not allowed generally. 
• Queue avoidance tips: To avoid the queue at Dubai’s museum, try to visit on weekdays morning and book tickets in advance through online sites. Along with this, the ideal right time is the opening time, because arriving early ensures the shortest wait times and the best experience. 
• Accessibility features: Most of the museums in Dubai are largely accessible, offering wheelchair access, elevators, and audio guides. Along with this, some museums also provide tactile exhibits for sensory experience, dedicated quiet spaces, as well as hands-on learning programs, along with additional digital accessibility features like virtual tours and apps for navigation. 
• Age suitability guidance: Dubai Museums are suitable for all ages, focusing on the traditional way of life in Dubai, while the Etihad Museum is good for teens as well as adults, as it focuses on the political history of the UAE formation. It also offers some family-friendly activities. Moreover, the Museum of the Future is also inclusive for every age group. 
• Dress code while visiting heritage districts: For heritage districts such as AI Shindagha Museum, you should dress modestly by covering your shoulders and knees. While some museums may not have a strict dress code but it is respectful to avoid revealing or offensive clothing. Although you have to walk more so it is suggested to wear comfortable shoes.  
• Water & snack policies: In Dubai museums. Water and snacks are generally not permitted in most exhibits, but there may be some exceptions. At the Museum of the Future, caregivers are allowed to bring snacks and drinks only to the “Future Heroes” children’s floor and not past the entry barrier for that area. Although for the safety of exhibits, food or drinks are not allowed. 
• Booking early for high-demand museums: You should book early for the Museum of the Future because it is very popular. High in demand, and its tickets sell out in advance, mainly during peak season.  To secure your spot and get tickets at a lower price, booking ahead online is the best way. Moreover, sometimes walk-ins are also possible, but there is no guarantee of availability, or you may face long queues.

• Etihad Museum: This Museum is worth visiting for those who are interested in the history and development of the UAE. For history enthusiasts, the Etihad Museum provides in-depth insight into the formation. Moreover, the family museum offers interactive displays and activities which are better suited to older children. The Etihad Museum is not free to enter. Dubai museum ticket price is 25 AED for adults and 10 AED for visitors under 24.
• Al Shindagha Museum: It is the largest open-air heritage museum in Dubai, which is located in AL Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood, this is most prominent historical area within the emirate, which witnessed the stage of the emirate’s inception as well as development. Moreover, you need at least 3 hours to see the various exhibits and the introduction video at the start was excellent. 
• Coffee Museum: This Museum has been set up in one of Dubai’s heritage hubs, Al Fahidi in Bur Dubai. It will be an upscale classic concept along with international standards within a small, cosy, relaxing atmosphere with a simple oriental setting. You can experience different regional styles of coffee like local Arabic style, Ethiopian style and Japanese style. 
• The Museum of Arabic Calligraphy: Dubai don’t have a dedicated “Museum of Arabic Calligraphy” as a stand-alone institution. Along with this, the Museum of the Future features Arabic calligraphy prominently on its exterior, with three quotes by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum designed by Emirati artist Mattar Bin Lahej. 
• Zayed National Museum: This Museum is located at the heart of Saadiyat Cultural distinct Abu Dhabi. Moreover, the national museum of the UAE celebrates the rich history, culture, as well as stories of its people from ancient times to modern days. Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. Zayed National Museum tells the story of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose enduring example is guiding the nation as well as its people till today.  
• Manarat Al Saadiyat: It is an art and culture centre in Abu Dhabi, located on Saadiyat Island. The name of the Museum means “place of enlightenment”, and it serves as a gateway to other museums such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum. Moreover, the centre features art galleries, hosts various events, an art studio, gift shops, as well as restaurants. 
• Abrahamic Family House: It is a multi-faith complex in Abu Dhabi, UAE that features a mosque, a church and a synagogue, all situated around a shared, secular forum for interfaith dialogue and learning. Along with this, it is inspired by the historical legacy of religious coexistence within the region and the 2019 Document on Human Fraternity.