Women’s Museum at Bait Al Banat
Al Sabkha, Gold Souq, near Al Khor St, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
With three floors of exhibitions dedicated to Emirati women, the Women’s Museum at Bait Al Banat is one of Dubai’s most revealing cultural institutions. Founded in 2012 by Professor Rafia Ghubash, it showcases women’s art, photography, poetry, costume, and writings to tell the story of UAE women past and present.
The Basics
Occupying a restored 1950s house—the Bait Al Banat—in Dubai’s Deira district, the Women’s Museum hosts permanent and changing exhibitions on different aspects of women’s lives, from their roles in the family and business to academia, the arts, and politics. Admire paintings by female artists in the galleries; view historical photography, costume, and jewelry collections; and explore the works of Emirati poet Ousha Bint Khalifa and other luminaries. A Women’s Studies Center, visitor café, and craft shop complete the attractions.
Visits to the museum feature on a number of Dubai tours that spotlight the city’s older neighborhoods and cultural heritage. Typically, these combine a short time to look around the exhibitions with stops at Deira’s modern Gold Souk and the Dubai Museum.
Things to Know Before You Go
The Women’s Museum at Bait Al Banat is a must-visit for anyone interested in the arts and UAE history and culture.
Factor in about 60 minutes to explore the displays.
Visitors are offered tea, coffee, and dates as part of the museum experience.
Exhibition captions are in Arabic and English.
The museum only has stairs between its three floors, so it isn’t wheelchair-friendly.
How to Get There
The Women’s Museum is located on the northern edges of Deira’s old Gold Souk, on 28 Street—a pedestrianized alleyway. To visit, leave the metro at Al Ras station, walk northward along Al Khor Street, turn right onto 9 Street past the Al Maha hotel, and turn left into 28 Street. Alternatively, catch a bus to the nearby Gold Souk stop or park in the Gold Souk parking lot, both a 5-minute walk away.
When to Get There
The Women’s Museum at Bait Al Banatis open year-round, Saturday to Thursday 10am to 7pm. Expect it to be busier on Thursdays and Saturdays—especially in the mornings and evenings.
The Old Gold Souk
A visit to the museum takes you deep into Deira’s old Gold Souk: a maze of lanes stuffed with gold, textile, electronics, and clothes shops. Once you’ve explored the museum, use it as a jumping-off point for a morning’s or evening’s shopping.
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