A Guide to the Coins Museum in Dubai
It’s easy to think that coins don’t have much value in a city of wealth like Dubai, but it’s actually the other way around.
Emiratis put a lot of value on their coins because it’s a nod to their beginnings. This is why they created a coins museum in Dubai, a place where you can learn all about the city’s most precious coins.
So, if you’re curious to learn about how these coins came to be, let’s explore the coins museum, one of the best museums in Dubai.
What is the Coins Museum in Dubai?
The coins museum in Dubai is a structure in Bur Dubai dedicated to a collection of more than 470 coins that have been circulated in the city and the Middle East throughout the years.
Located in the Al Fahidi Historic Neighborhood, the museum displays historic and rare coins along with artifacts related to the history of coins in this part of the world.
The building where the coins museum is located is a traditional Arabian building that’s made out of plaster, stone, coral, palm trees and sandalwood.
This gives you a glimpse of what houses looked like in the old days of Dubai before it became a mega city, adding to the charm of this museum aside from its location.
The coins museum is divided into eight rooms, each highlighting a subject related to coins:
- Room 1: This room shows an introduction to the museum and what you can expect during your visit. It also offers directions on how you should explore the museum, so you can maximize your time.
- Room 2: This room is dedicated to an exhibit containing information about the currency of the Middle East, especially its coins, and its evolution throughout the years.
- Room 3: This room is home to the Sasanian Dirham, which was minted in the Umayyad Rashidun Caliphate, and the history behind one of the earliest coins in the country.
- Room 4: This room is dedicated to the museum’s extensive collection of dirhams and dinars dating back as far as the reign of Caliph Abd al-Malik bin Marwan.
- Room 5: This room houses the collection of artifacts from the reign of Caliph Abu Al-Abbas Al-Saffah until the fall of its caliphate.
- Room 6: This room displays a collection of international coins that were minted in Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, The Levant and the Islamic East. Here, you’ll find some very rare coins that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
- Room 7: This room is dedicated to the coins from Andalusia and North Africa including those minted from the Zirids and Aghlabids.
- Room 8: This room has a collection of different artifacts from the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula.
Best Time to Go
The coins museum is open from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday to Thursday and until 11:30 AM on Fridays. The museum is closed on the weekends and on some special holidays.
Since it can get crowded on Fridays, it’s best to visit at the start of the week when there are less people.
Things to Know
Ready to explore the coins museum? Here are some tips to keep handy:
- Entry is free, which is why a lot of people flock to the museum. Since parking can be a bit tricky in the Bur Dubai area, it’s best to go to the museum early, so you can still park your car nearby.
- Follow the rules while visiting the museum to help preserve the collections inside it. You’re not allowed to eat or drink inside and it’s very important to watch over your kids while inside the premises.
How to Get Around
Trains: If you prefer to take the train, take the M2 train and stop at either the Al Ghubaiba Metro Station or Burjuman Metro Station. From there, you can ride a taxi going to Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood where the coins museum is located.
Buses: Several bus lines stop in Bur Dubai with the Sharaf DG Metro Bus Stop being the nearest station to the coins museum, which is only a few minutes walk away.
Taxis: You can ride a taxi from anywhere in the city to the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood where the coins museum is located.
Car service: If you’d rather travel private, you can arrange for hotel transfers or rent a self-drive car to drive to and from the coins museum.
Where to Stay Near the Coins Museum in Dubai
XVA Art Hotel
Address: Al Fahidi St. – Bur Dubai – Al Fahidi Neighborhood Near Dubai Museum – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 353 5383
Pricing: $$$
XVA Art Hotel is an art-inspired boutique hotel with 15 uniquely designed rooms and suites by in-house art specialists to make your stay extra special.
Located in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, the hotel is just a few minutes away from the coins museum and other important tourist spots around Old Dubai.
If you love art and culture, this hotel will make you feel right at home with its combination of artistic elements in a historical structure that was the former home of the Seddiqi family.
Arabian Courtyard Hotel and Spa
Address: Al Seef Area Opposite Dubai Museum – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 351 9111
Pricing: $$
The Arabian Courtyard Hotel and Spa is a four-star hotel that’s central to Old Dubai but still private enough to make you feel like you’re on a getaway at a resort outside the city.
From its well designed rooms and suites to amenities like a spa and temperature controlled swimming pool, the hotel promises to give you a luxurious holiday that puts you in the middle of Dubai’s history.
And with its Arabian interiors and world-class hospitality, you’ll surely feel like true royalty during your stay.
Ascot Hotel
Address: 13C St. – Bur Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 352 0900
Pricing: $$$
Ascot Hotel is a gem right in the middle of Bur Dubai and has all the amenities you need for an unforgettable holiday, whether you’re alone or with the entire family.
True to the Ascot brand, this hotel is pure indulgence right when you enter its doors and every room is furnished, so you could focus on nothing but relaxing during your stay.
And if you’re the type who doesn’t want to rush to the airport, you’d be glad to know that the Ascot Hotel is just a few minutes away from the Dubai Airport.
Where to Eat Near the Coins Museum in Dubai
Arabian Tea House Restaurant and Cafe
Address: Al Fahidi – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 353 5071
Pricing: $$
The Arabian Tea House Restaurant and Cafe is so popular that it’s considered a tourist attraction in Old Dubai.
Being the first authentic Emirati restaurant, it’s where you go if you want to try traditional food in an area that shows you a glimpse of the city’s history and culture.
Before going around the coins museum and the rest of Al Fahidi, start your day with a sumptuous Emirati breakfast tray consisting of balaleet, cheese, baked beans, dates and traditional bread.
Visiting the restaurant for lunch or dinner? We recommend trying the different types of kebabs and machboos.
XVA Cafe
Address: XVA Art Hotel – Al Fahidi – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 353 5383
Pricing: $$
XVA Cafe is where art meets good – and healthy – food in a beautifully designed hotel right in the middle of the historic Al Fahidi neighborhood.
If you want to treat yourself to good food but still want to stick to your healthy diet, the dishes at XVA Cafe won’t even make you miss meat.
The cafe’s courtyard offers a relaxing ambiance while you enjoy a complimentary mint lemonade to start off your dining experience.
Don’t know what food to choose? We recommend the Bastakiya breakfast to begin your day, the XVA Club sandwich for snacks and the XVA Thali for mains.
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant and Cafe
Address: Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood – 79 Al Mussallah Road – Al Fahidi – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 55 180 2080
Pricing: $$
Al Khayma heritage restaurant and cafe is a cozy dining spot that specializes in using farm-fresh ingredients in all its dishes.
Need a caffeine kick? Try the gahwa or traditional Arabic coffee with chebab or Emirati pancakes. But if you’re in need of a havey breakfast, order the Arabian breakfast tray and you won’t be disappointed.
We also love the restaurant’s lamb biryani, grilled lamb chops or if you’re extra hungry, a mix grill for two.
What to Do at the Coins Museum in Dubai
Study the Coins Up Close
With almost 500 coins on display, you have a lot to explore at the coins museum. Good thing, there are magnifying glasses that you can use to examine each coin up close, although we also recommend that you bring one.
The museum also has an interactive screen where you can learn about the history of each coin including its origins, how it was minted and what it was worth at the time.
Where to Shop Near the Coins Museum in Dubai
Dubai Spice Souk
Address: 41 34th St. – Deira – Al Ras – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 50 222 3627
No trip to Dubai is complete without visiting – and shopping for spices – at the Dubai Spice Souk.
This market is a wonderland if you love to cook because you’ll find hundreds of authentic spices that are used in Middle Eastern cooking.
You can even ask one of the sellers to create a special spice blend just for you. And spices at the souk are a lot cheaper – and tastier – than those you’ll find at the supermarket.
Meena Bazaar
Address: 26 43C St. – Al Fahidi – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Meena Bazaar is a great shopping area to find local products that you can take back home as souvenirs.
Here, you can buy traditional Emirati clothing, some handicraft products and even jewelry.
The Majlis Gallery
Address: Al Fahidi – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 353 6233
If you love art, you’ll have a great time browsing through the different works of local and international artists at The Majlis Gallery.
Known as one of the city’s top art galleries, you’ll find a vast collection of artworks in a beautiful traditional building with shuttered windows and even a wind tower.
Apps to Download When Visiting the Coin Museum in Dubai
Visit Dubai: The app to use if you’re looking for information about Dubai’s top tourist attractions including the coins museum
RTA Dubai Drive: Useful if you’re renting a self-drive car because of its detailed maps of the city
Uber: Booking a ride to take you around the city
Careem: Dubai’s alternative to booking a private car
WithLocals: A useful app where you can book private tours with a local who can keep you company while going around the city