House of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum

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The displays in the museum are divided into nine wings which display artefacts, coins, stamps, historical documents and pictures related to the history of Saeed Al Maktoum House, Al Maktoum Family, old Dubai, marine life, views from Dubai and Dubai society among others.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.

Al Maktoum House is a historic building located in the Al Shindagha Area of the city. Former residence of Dubai’s then ruler Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, the house built in 1896 is now a museum. Visitors can enjoy and get to know about the city and the royal family’s culture and lifestyle. It is now a famous tourist spot which impresses residents and visitors with its simple yet vast stature, open areas and courtyards, and cooling wind towers. You can find a lot of old pictures, documents, stamps and coins, jewellery and decorative items in this ancient museum.

EXHIBITS AT THE SHINDAGHA MUSEUM

The exhibits at the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House or the Shindagha museum in Dubai include a notable collection of artefacts from the golden days of the metropolis.

The paintings, photographs, coins, jewellery and stamps depict the times and life in Dubai under the rule of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum Bin Hasher Al Maktoum and his ancestors before him.

The photographs and paintings at the museum offer an insightful glimpse into the lives of the ruling family of Dubai. They include personal photographs that were taken with other dignitaries and rulers visiting the house.

The museum also has an exhibit dedicated to ancient stamps that were commonly used in Dubai and the UAE before the oil boom. Visitors can also explore the jewellery and other personal belongings of the ruling Al Maktoum family to know more about the way of life in those days.

Best places to visit near Saeed Al Maktoum House

1. Al Shindagha Museum: 

Al Shindagha is a new museum which has recently opened its doors to Emiratis and tourists alike. This history and culture museum offers state-of-the-art multimedia experiences. You can watch the history of Dubai unfold over the centuries through interactive videos, touch displays, historic photographs and artefacts.

2. The Dubai Heritage Village: 

The Dubai Heritage Village is an excellent place to get lost in time and witness the traditional way of life and culture in Dubai. You can walk around the village and witness the Emirati maritime history, traditional architecture and the importance of pearl diving in Dubai’s history.

3. Heritage House: 

A visit to the Heritage House will give you a glimpse into the life of Emiratis in the late 1800s. The house was built in the year 1890 and belonged to a rich pearl merchant by the name of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmouk. The traditional building techniques and styles of the building give it an old-world charm. The courtyard house is built with coral and gypsum and features old-fashioned wind towers for keeping the place cool.

4. Dubai Museum: 

One of the most interesting things to do in the area is visiting the Dubai Museum for its colourful dioramas and captivating historic exhibits. The museum is housed inside the Al Fahidi Fort which was built in the year 1787 and is the oldest building in the city. The museum showcases the lives of people of the pre-oil era. Some of the artefacts date as far back as 3000 BC.

5. Bur Dubai Abra Dock: 

You can visit the Abra Dock in the Bur Dubai area and enjoy a ride in the waters of the historic Dubai Creek. You are taken out on a traditional wooden boat or abra and you can enjoy the views of the city from the waters. It also offers excellent views of the setting sun.

Things to Do in Saeed Al Maktoum House

1. Visit the Exhibits: 

The four wings of the historic museum have been divided into nine different exhibits, each one portraying a different part of history and culture. You can have a look at the coins, historical documents, photographs, jewellery, stamps, maps, lithographs and other artefacts that date back centuries.

2. Observe Old Architecture: 

This old house is a masterclass in traditional Emirati architecture and can be appreciated by both architecture enthusiasts and everyday visitors. The house has been made using conventional materials like shell stones and coral stones for the walls; mangroves and palm trunks for the ceilings and beams. The open-courtyard structure with wind towers, locally known as al-barajeel, not only cools off the structure but also makes for distinct architectural features. The carved wooden doors and windows also depict finesse.

3. Beautiful Views of the Creek: 

The house affords beautiful views of the creek in the relatively slow-paced historical district. You can enjoy views of the gulf, of dhows and water birds. It is also an excellent place to encounter stunning sunsets.

4. Photography: 

If you are a photography enthusiast, then you can easily spend hours taking pictures of the different artefacts and features of the building. The light flooding in from the courtyard and the texturally-rich building make for excellent subjects of photography.

Highlights of Saeed Al Maktoum House 

It is one of the oldest buildings that let you discover Dubai from the roots. The museum enables you to explore fascinating old photographs, ancient artefacts and dwell deep into the history of the house and the ruling family. The different rooms give you a glimpse of the marine history, old Dubai, social life and historical documents and maps.

It reflects on the religious values and the cultural uniqueness of old Dubai and of the Maktoum rule. The museum, once a house, has vast courtyards with no plants, carpets and the rooms are unadorned with no furniture or carvings. The impressive built and development of the place looks fantastic when the sun sets, and its coral colour reflects. The cooling tower systems keep the home cool and are fully air-conditioned. The sand-coloured buildings give a glimpse of traditions, Arabic paintings, lithographs, articles and intricate displays. The teak doors, exhibitions and galleries open to residents and visitors of the museum demonstrates the domestic living and life.

The museum consists of around thirty huge rooms with open spaces, and the terrace or majlis enables excellent views of the city or the tall buildings of developed Dubai.

The Al Maktoum house takes you on a philosophical and historical ride and brings you close to the traditions and heritage of this culturally rich city. The home also hosts several cultural exhibitions and traditional shows.

A room has been dedicated to antique stamps, coins and currency which were used for trade and exchange. You will be surprised to know that before Dubai’s now currency ‘dirham’ or AED, the Indian currency INR was used in the economy!

Other Essential Information About Saeed Al Maktoum House

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.