The Museum of the Future is the silver, ring-shaped building beside Sheikh Zayed Road that has become one of Dubai's best known landmarks since it opened in 2022. The outside is covered in Arabic calligraphy, which also forms the building's windows. Inside, the Museum of the Future is less a traditional museum than a series of immersive spaces that imagine life decades from now, from space travel to climate and health.
What is the Museum of the Future?
The building is a torus, an oval ring with a hollow centre, standing on a green mound. The calligraphy on its stainless steel skin quotes lines by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, about the future. Even if you do not go in, it is worth walking past to see it up close.
Inside, visitors move through several floors of themed experiences. The exhibits are designed to be walked through rather than read, with sets, sound and projection. The content is updated from time to time, so what you see may differ from what friends described.
Getting to the Museum of the Future by metro
The nearest station is Emirates Towers on the Dubai Metro Red Line. The museum sits next to the twin Jumeirah Emirates Towers and is a short walk from the station. Follow the signs for the museum. Because of the heat and the busy highway, look for the covered walkways and footbridges rather than trying to cross Sheikh Zayed Road at street level.
Financial Centre station, one stop further along the Red Line, is a reasonable alternative if you are heading on to the DIFC area afterwards.
Museum of the Future tickets
Entry is by timed ticket, and booking online in advance is strongly recommended because popular slots sell out, particularly at weekends and during the winter tourist season. Children under a certain age and some groups may enter free or at a reduced rate. Book through the official website, museumofthefuture.ae, which has current prices, opening hours and any special rules.
Best time to visit and how long to stay
Weekday slots earlier in the day are usually the calmest. The building is fully air-conditioned, so it is a good choice for the hot middle of the day in summer. If you want photos of the outside, come back after dark when the calligraphy windows glow, or in the late afternoon when the steel catches the light.
Most visitors spend about two hours inside. Families with children who enjoy the interactive areas can easily stay longer.
Highlights
The space journey
The visit has typically opened with a simulated trip to an orbiting space station, setting the tone for the rest of the floors.
Nature and biodiversity
One of the most striking rooms has been a library-like space displaying thousands of models of plant and animal species, a visual record of life on Earth.
Health and wellbeing
Spaces focused on the mind and body invite you to slow down, with calm lighting and sound.
The children's area
A dedicated zone for younger visitors lets them play with ideas through hands-on activities.
The architecture
From inside, the void in the centre of the ring and the lattice structure are as interesting as the exhibits.
Tips for visiting the Museum of the Future
- Arrive a little before your time slot. There is a security check and entry is managed in groups.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as you are on your feet for most of the visit and move between several floors.
- Some rooms are dark or use loud sound and moving images. If anyone in your group is sensitive to this, ask staff about quieter routes.
- Do not rush the early floors. Many people race to the end and miss details in the first exhibits.
- Walk around the outside before or after your visit for the best photos of the calligraphy facade, ideally from the gardens on the mound.
Nearby on the same metro stop
- Jumeirah Emirates Towers: the angular twin towers right next door, with restaurants and a small shopping boulevard.
- Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC): galleries, restaurants and the Gate Building, a short walk away.
- Dubai World Trade Centre: the exhibition and events venue one stop away on the Red Line.
See the location on our Museum of the Future page, or plan more stops on the Dubai metro guide.