Etihad Museum

The Etihad Museum is a striking contemporary museum located in Jumeirah, Dubai, dedicated to the story of the United Arab Emirates' founding. Housed in a building shaped like a manuscript, the museum sits on the historic site where the UAE constitution was signed in 1971. Inside, interactive exhibits, photographs, and artifacts chronicle the nation's journey from pearl diving and Bedouin life to the discovery of oil and the signing of the union. Visitors can explore the actual Union House nearby, where the founding fathers met. The museum’s design is both educational and visually impressive, with a curved white roof symbolizing the pages of history. It offers a deep dive into Emirati heritage and the visionary leadership that created the modern federation.

Don't miss

• Interactive timeline of UAE history from pre-oil era to today
• The original Union House and the signing table
• Multimedia presentations about the founding fathers
• Striking architecture with a curved, manuscript-like roof
• View of the Dubai skyline from the museum’s outdoor areas

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Etihad Museum

Cheapest way inEntrance Ticket to the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi4.2★ · 32 travelers2–3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$26 per personSee dates →Best full dayDubai To Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Royal Palace & Etihad Tower4.9★ · 10,178 travelers9–10 hoursFree cancellationFrom$89 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleFrom Dubai: Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque, Palace. Souk, Etihad & Louvre4.9★ · 11 travelers7–8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$119 per personSee dates →

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Know before you go

• Photography is allowed inside, but flash may be restricted in some areas.
• Dress modestly out of respect for local culture; shoulders and knees covered.
• Allow at least 1.5 hours to fully explore the exhibits.
• Combine your visit with a walk along Jumeira Beach or to the nearby Dubai Canal.

A bit of history

The museum opened in 2017 on the grounds of the former Union House, where on December 2, 1971, the rulers of seven emirates signed the agreement forming the United Arab Emirates. The site is a national landmark.