Saeed Al Maktoum House, Dubai: How To Reach, Best Time & Tips

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Saeed Al Maktoum House Overview

The former residential quarters of Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum and the historic building which is famous in Dubai is Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House. One of the finest landmarks in Dubai is this old house located along the Dubai Creek in the region of Al Shindagha.

The Sheikh was once a ruler. It came into establishment in 1894 and was the crowned possession of the Al Maktoum family. But now it has turned to be a museum that contains major artefacts and images discovered from the old town of Dubai.

Highlights: It houses historic photographs, coins, documents which show the recorded history of Dubai from the old centuries onward. The stunning architecture of the house is perfectly equipped with the naturally cooling wind towers and the house opens its doors wide to enter the dramatically stubborn history of the Arab regions around the Persian Gulf.

From the top floor, a remarkable view of the skyscrapers of current Dubai would be visible showering an incomparable experience to all.

Location: Dubai, UAE. It is located at a distance of 11 km and a journey of 19 minutes will take you the house.

Timings: It will be open on all days from 08:00 am to 08:30 pm but on Fridays, it will be open from 03:00 pm to 08:30 pm.

Price: 3 AED

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House is a museum situated in the historic part, Al Shindagha, of the city of Dubai. The museum gets its name from Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum who was a former ruler of Dubai and the owner of the house which has now been converted into a museum. This historic building was constructed in the year 1896 and remained home to the Al Maktoum family right till the death of the sheikh in 1958.

The home is a masterpiece of old Arab architecture and sits beautifully along the Dubai Creek or Khor Dubai. Spread across a generous 3,600 square metres, the house was built without fences or a boundary wall. The palace, as it is sometimes referred to, is made up of four distinct wings. The entire structure portrays traditional styles of architecture and design and has a spacious courtyard, long alleyways, finely crafted wooden doors and airy balconies.

The materials used in the construction of the building take you back to the olden times. The coral and shell stones used in constructing the walls along with the exposed palm trunk beams used in the ceiling will take you back to old Dubai. The most arresting feature of the heritage building, however, are the four wind towers that rise above the rest of the house and offer great views of the gulf.

The displays in the museum are divided into nine wings which display artefacts, coins, stamps, historical documents and pictures related to the history of Saeed Al Maktoum House, Al Maktoum Family, old Dubai, marine life, views from Dubai and Dubai society among others. It offers excellent opportunities to explore Dubai’s past and its relationship to the entire world. You can trace the gradual rise of Dubai from a traditional Arab city into the global travel destination it has become.

How To Reach

Saeed Al Maktoum House is well-connected to the rest of the city and the airport. If you decide to take the metro, you can get a train to Union Station from Terminal 3. At Union Station, you can catch a train for Al Ras Station. Both the train journeys take about 15 minutes in total.

From Al Ras Station, the museum is a five-minute walk. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the airport which takes less than ten minutes.

Best Time To Visit

The best time of the year to visit Saeed Al Maktoum House is in the winters. The months of November through February have pleasant weather and the sun is not too harsh. You can spend your day looking around the house without breaking into a sweat.

Other Essential Information

Location: House of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, Al Shindagha area, Bur Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Timings: Saturday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 8:30 PM, Friday: 3:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Price: Adult tickets: AED 3, Children’s tickets: AED 1

Tips for Visiting Saeed Al Maktoum House

- Wear a hat and a pair of sunglasses to shield your head and eyes from the rays of the sun.

- Apply generous amounts of sunscreen before visiting to protect your skin.

- Saeed Al Maktoum House is a heritage building and therefore visitors are expected to cover themselves properly when visiting.

- You can keep your shoes on when visiting.

- There are no food stalls inside the museum, therefore it is advisable to bring your own water to keep hydrated.

- No loud music is allowed inside the building.

- Children of all ages are welcome at the museum.

- Photography is allowed inside the museum.

Saeed Al Maktoum House FAQs

What is the best time of the day to visit Saeed Al Maktoum House?

The best time of the day to visit Saeed Al Maktoum House is in the evening when the sun is less harsh. You can enjoy the sea breeze in the courtyard and also take better pictures because of diluted light. The evenings also offer excellent sunset views over Dubai Creek from the museum.

What are the operating days and timings of Saeed Al Maktoum House?

Saeed Al Maktoum House is open every day of the week. The opening times from Saturday through Thursday are eight in the morning to half-past eight in the evening (8:00 AM - 8:30 PM). On Fridays, the museum opens a little later, at three in the afternoon and shuts at half-past eight in the evening (3:00 PM - 8:30 PM).

What is unique about Saeed Al Maktoum House?

Saeed Al Maktoum House is one of the oldest heritage buildings of Dubai. It was built in the year 1896 for the former ruler of Dubai, Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum and his family. This heritage home has been made in traditional Arab style and is an excellent spot to dive into the history of not only the house but of Dubai.

How long does it take to go around Saeed Al Maktoum House?

Saeed Al Maktoum House is spread across 3,600 square metres and is divided into four wings. The exhibition space is divided into nine separate areas which cover various aspects of history and culture of the place and its surroundings. You can expect to spend anywhere between one and a half to two hours exploring the place. If you plan on taking photographs and observing all the artefacts thoroughly, you can easily spend longer here.

Can we take food at this place?

Although there are no strict rules about taking your food inside the museum, you might want to avoid doing the same as it is a heritage building and is revered in the local culture. There are no food stalls inside Saeed Al Maktoum House but there are several eating options just outside the museum. It is advisable to grab a quick bite before or after visiting.

When was the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House constructed?

This heritage building was constructed in the late nineteenth century, in 1896 as a residence for the then ruler of Dubai, Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum and his family. Its architecture holds true to the building style of the time of its construction and includes wind towers, a large courtyard and alleyways.

How can we reach Saeed Al Maktoum House by public transport?

There are several ways of reaching Saeed Al Maktoum House by public transport as the museum is very well connected to the rest of the city. You can opt to take the metro. The closest metro station to the museum is Al Ghubaiba Metro Station on the green line which is 642 metres away and takes around 9 minutes if you decide to walk to the heritage house.

The most cost-effective way to visit the museum is to catch a bus. There are several buses that will drop you at a walking distance to the museum, like route X13, C9, 93, E100, etc. You can also take an Uber or a taxi to the museum.

Is there any collection of antiques at Saeed Al Maktoum House?

Yes, the museum boasts of a large collection of artefacts and antique objects that date back centuries. When at Saeed Al Maktoum House, you can have a look at old stamps, coins and many other household objects. You can also have a look at some historical documents and old photographs of the area and views from the house.

Also, there is old jewellery and lithographs on display. If you want to learn more about the old residents of the building, there is an entire section which will tell you about the Maktoum family and their time in the house.

What is the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House entrance fee?

There is a minimal entrance fee for Saeed Al Maktoum House. Adults have to pay AED 3 in order to avail entry while children can enter for AED 1.

What was the ruling period of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum?

The ruling period of the former ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum extended from 1912 and 1958. He stayed at Saeed Al Maktoum House during his entire tenure. The modest way in which the home is built and its open design without any fences or boundary walls tells us about what kind of a ruler he was.

He was greatly admired by the public and was always open to them. He is believed to be the catalyst who initiated the rise of Dubai as the city we know today.