Four places that explain Dubai.
Before the rooftops: the Creek where the city began, the house where the UAE was signed, and the art that came after.
Four placesChecked 24 October 2026Prices in AED
Before the rooftops, there was the Creek. The city's story fits into four addresses and one Saturday, from the pearl merchants' houses to the house where the UAE was signed.
Two are on the Creek: Al Shindagha in Bur Dubai, where the city started, and the Jameel across the water in Jaddaf. The Etihad Museum stands beside Union House in Jumeirah 1, where the UAE was founded in December 1971. Alserkal Avenue, the gallery district in Al Quoz, is the modern end of the story.
Entry is AED 50 at Al Shindagha and AED 25 at the Etihad Museum. The Jameel and Alserkal are open access. All four open at 10am, apart from the Jameel on Fridays, when it opens at noon, and it's closed on Tuesdays.
Hours and prices change. Check with the venue before you go.
Bur Dubai, where the city started
Al Shindagha Museum
The UAE's largest heritage museum fills restored courtyard houses on the Creek: pearling, trade, perfume and the families who built Dubai.
The facts
- Where
- Al Shindagha, Bur Dubai Creek
- When
- Daily 10am–8pm, last entry 7pm
- Price
- AED 50, students AED 20
- How to book
- Tickets via Dubai Culture, or call 800 33222
- Who it's for
- A first weekend here, and every guest after
Tickets via Dubai Culture (opens in a new tab)Open in Maps @alshindaghamuseum
Jumeirah 1, where the UAE was signed
Etihad Museum
Built beside Union House, where the UAE was founded in December 1971. Observers of Change traces five decades of Emirati art.
The facts
- Where
- Jumeirah St, Jumeirah 1
- When
- Daily 10am–8pm. The art show runs to 10 Dec
- Price
- AED 25, students AED 10
- How to book
- Taxi or drive
- Who it's for
- Anyone who wants the why behind the country
Contemporary art in Jaddaf
Jameel Arts Centre
An independent contemporary art museum on the Creek, with a sculpture park and a library. A Salah Elmur survey opens Sun 1 Nov.
The facts
- Where
- Jaddaf Waterfront
- When
- 10am–8pm, Fri from 12pm, closed Tue
- Price
- Open access: register at the desk
- How to book
- 12-minute walk from Al Jaddaf Metro (Green Line)
- Who it's for
- Slow Saturday mornings. Give the library an hour
jameelartscentre.org (opens in a new tab)Open in Maps @jameelartscentre
The gallery district in Al Quoz
Alserkal Avenue
Warehouses turned into 17 contemporary galleries, studios, a cinema and Subko. This weekend it hosts What The Food.
The facts
- Where
- 17th St, Al Quoz 1
- When
- Daily 10am–7pm. Galleries set their own hours
- Price
- Walk in. Some events are ticketed
- How to book
- Taxi or drive. Plan a route with the Art Guide on alserkal.online
- Who it's for
- Gallery hoppers and design people
alserkal.online (opens in a new tab)Open in Maps @alserkalavenue
How we checked
Every fact here comes from the venue's own website, menu, booking page or Instagram, or from the Michelin Guide and official listings. Nobody paid to be in this guide, and nobody knew we were writing it. If something has changed, write to [email protected] and we'll correct it. How we pick a place →
Photos
- Al Shindagha Museum: Vaishnavi.vinodkumar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
- Etihad Museum: Lxs / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0, cropped
- Jameel Arts Centre: @jameelartscentre
- Alserkal Avenue: @alserkalavenue
