Dubai Pearl Museum
Dubai Pearl Museum
4.3
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.3
7 reviews
Excellent
5
Very good
1
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0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
DoInDubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates33 contributions
Nov 2013 • Friends
Many visitors and residents of Dubai are aware of the Dubai Museum in Bur Dubai, but a little bit further in Deira is an immaculate collection of Dubai’s pearls housed in a permanent museum type display on the top floor of Emirates NBD. The informal tour begins with a short (10 minute) dvd explaining the fascinating history of pearling in the UAE, the lives of the workers who dived for pearls and how they prepared for the long, difficult voyages as well as explaining the growth of a natural pearl in an oyster.
There is a semi guided walk around the display of literally thousands of pearls most of which were donated by Sultan Al Owis who’s father, a pearl trader, started off this prolific collection. Apparently pearls are best displayed on a red background to show their lustre and indeed all the displays are against a red velvet background. As well as the pearls themselves there is a collection of the real instruments and tools required for extracting and sorting the pearls, I found the collection of different sized brass sieves fascinating. Pearling was a unique tradition for a whole community in the UAE that touched all facets of life. The exhibition is a wonderful and unique way of preserving a piece of history and heritage that is too easily forgotten in modern Dubai. Visit the pearl museum for a glimpse of the real Old Dubai. I highly recommend it. You do need to book in advance though, this link has all the details you need:
http://doindubai.com/2012/02/23/pearls/
There is a semi guided walk around the display of literally thousands of pearls most of which were donated by Sultan Al Owis who’s father, a pearl trader, started off this prolific collection. Apparently pearls are best displayed on a red background to show their lustre and indeed all the displays are against a red velvet background. As well as the pearls themselves there is a collection of the real instruments and tools required for extracting and sorting the pearls, I found the collection of different sized brass sieves fascinating. Pearling was a unique tradition for a whole community in the UAE that touched all facets of life. The exhibition is a wonderful and unique way of preserving a piece of history and heritage that is too easily forgotten in modern Dubai. Visit the pearl museum for a glimpse of the real Old Dubai. I highly recommend it. You do need to book in advance though, this link has all the details you need:
http://doindubai.com/2012/02/23/pearls/
Written May 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manish K
Dubai, United Arab Emirates3,916 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
Not many people know about the Pearl Museum in the Deira area of Dubai. This museum is located in the headquarters of the Emirates NBD bank and one needs to get a prior appointment, before visiting. The museum holds an amazing collection of natural pearls, which was gifted to the bank by Sultan Ali Al Owais, a former chairman of the bank.
The museum contains a rich display of information about the practice of pearl diving followed in these areas prior to the discovery of oil. One gets to see the hardships faced by the pearl divers and the various stages involved in the collection and trade of these much admired jewels. The highlight is, of course, the actual pearl collection, which leaves one spellbound. There are also sections in the museum, showing old coins and currencies used in the Gulf countries. In addition, one is also rewarded with some of the best views of the Dubai creek and the Bur Dubai and Deira regions.
What I must make a special mention of is the staff. They went out of their way to accommodate a visit for me, even though I had little time on hand during my recent trip to Dubai. They ensured I had a great visit and their hospitality alone deserves giving this place five stars. Truly a welcoming and enlightening experience and I thank the staff, particularly Ms. Kautar, for their assistance.
The museum contains a rich display of information about the practice of pearl diving followed in these areas prior to the discovery of oil. One gets to see the hardships faced by the pearl divers and the various stages involved in the collection and trade of these much admired jewels. The highlight is, of course, the actual pearl collection, which leaves one spellbound. There are also sections in the museum, showing old coins and currencies used in the Gulf countries. In addition, one is also rewarded with some of the best views of the Dubai creek and the Bur Dubai and Deira regions.
What I must make a special mention of is the staff. They went out of their way to accommodate a visit for me, even though I had little time on hand during my recent trip to Dubai. They ensured I had a great visit and their hospitality alone deserves giving this place five stars. Truly a welcoming and enlightening experience and I thank the staff, particularly Ms. Kautar, for their assistance.
Written October 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kloudia
Minnesota1,385 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
i loved the video in the beginning of the museum tour
it is exciting to know more about the tradition and habit of the old life time here
it is exciting to know more about the tradition and habit of the old life time here
Written October 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brendon H
Tokyo11 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
I received reply from museum after my sending request. I supposed that it is confirmation. But I just showed the date which I can visit in my first request, so I fixed the date to visit and sent it (I thought I can choose whichever I like since the reply mail does not mention except some regulation and welcome message). I have not received reply, so I called several times, but no reply. So eventually I went to NBD Bank under the heating sun. At reception, again no answer to calling. After 10-15 mins finally it connected and the lady said they did not send confirmation, and it was fully booked! I was astonished and could not believe what she said. All the date which I wrote in the request were already fully booked according to she said.
So, why did the museum send some welcome mail to me? This is very bad experience. Just waste of time killing precious minutes or hours in my visit to Dubai
So, why did the museum send some welcome mail to me? This is very bad experience. Just waste of time killing precious minutes or hours in my visit to Dubai
Written July 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew W
Canada10 contributions
Jan 2016 • Family
Nice museum. You can learn everything about pearls. It will be a nice trip for the peoples who love pearl.
Written January 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria
Lucknow, India1,524 contributions
Oct 2018
I was a bit apprehensive about this one since most of my friends had no idea what it was all about but I am glad I went for it. A very different experience altogether, definitely worth a visit I would say.
Written October 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mmmeowr
Los Angeles, California
What email address to I use to request an appointment for the Pearl Museum in Dubai?
Written October 17, 2017
Good afternoon.
I'd like to visit The Pearl Museum in Deira. Could you please tell me the address? I know it is located on the top floor of the Emirates NBD Bank but I can't understand exactly where it is...
Also, do I have to book my visit in advance?
Thank you very much!
Tiz
Written August 20, 2016
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