Must-Visit Art Galleries in Dubai That Live up to the Hype

Go beyond Dubai’s famous landmarks like Burj Khalifa and The Palm Jumeirah to discover a creative art scene featuring numerous art galleries, design hubs and events like Dubai Design Week.

The city constantly expands its creative landscape, acting as a showcase for regional Arabic artists and offering international artists resident exhibitions.

Discover more about must-visit art galleries in Dubai that live up to the hype.

Where: 17th Street, Al Quoz 1 

When: Open daily from 10am to 7pm  

How to get there: The closest metro station to Alserkal Avenue is Onpassive Metro Station, which is serviced by the red line. From Al Safa Bus Terminus (next to the metro station it is a ten minute bus ride via bus 110, to Alserkal Avenue).

Alserkal Avenue is an open space for arts and culture and creativity in Al Quoz in western Dubai. This previous industrial area has been transformed into a hub for arts and culture and this collaborative space brings together foodies, artists, embroiderers, musicians and organic growers. 

Over the weekends you can enjoy curated activations ranging from music performances, Farmers Market, theatre and dance performances, artist exhibitions, film screenings, and open mic poetry performances.

Artisan markets focused on local designers creating clothes, furniture, accessories and dry food items are regularly featured. Weekly workshops feature different artistic courses such as Tatreez, Palestinian embroidery, to learning how to paint self-portraits.

Strawberry Fields presents a variety of kid-friendly workshops and activities from storytelling tents to gift basket decorating, and joyful colouring. Musical performances range from Kuwaiti seafaring music to soulful jazz.

Notable artists who have entertained visitors include composer Ghazi Faisal Al-Mulaifi, Poet Tishani Doshi and Artist Essa Grayeb amongst others.

Where:  Alserkal Avenue, Warehouse 78 Street 8, Al Quoz 1

When:  Generally open Saturday to Thursday from 10am to 7pm, and closed on Fridays

How to get there: Metro and bus or Exit 43 off Sheikh Zayed Road 

Currently, the third solo exhibition by the artist collective Slavs and Tatars, Simurgh Self-Help, showcases a new body of work inspired by Marcel Broodhaers’ Musée d'Art Moderne-Département des Aigles (1968-1972), one of the 20th century's most influential conceptual art pieces. The work creatively explores ‘the eagle’ through the lens of Simurgh, a mythical bird from Turkish and Persian folklore.  

The gallery has a reputation for promoting a diverse range of artists from the Middle East including supporting emerging artists and hosting talks, workshops and activations that provide a platform for dialogue and interaction. A powerful example of the galleries social ethos was an exhibition entitled I Won’t Wait for Anybody Else by Iranian artists, Ramin Haerizadeh, Rokni Haerizadeh and Hesam Rahmanian.

Where:  Level 2, Building 3, Dubai Design District

When:  Generally open Monday-Friday from 8am to 5pm

How to get there:  The nearest Metro station to d3 is the Dubai Mall Metro Station. The RTA Bus Route D03 will take you in and out of d3.

Dubai Design District is Dubai’s first urban beach park located on the D3 Waterfront next to Dubai Creek is an interactive space. Housing established designers and artists it is also a hub for emerging creatives, startups and design students through in5 Design. in5 Design, equipped with cutting-edge facilities and machinery, prototyping, and fashion and 3D printing labs, gives aspiring talent an opportunity to transform their imaginative ideas into commercial reality. 

You can shop, dine, and experience contemporary art in this creative design district. The retail section offers a range of homewares and furniture stores, galleries, restaurants and cafes. Design-led boutiques include fashion, jewellery, accessories, ergonomic furniture, kitchen design and more. 

The Block Park is an outdoor urban beach park with outdoor seating and entertainment areas. Designed to offer an escape from the city there are different spots for relaxation, fitness and inspiration. Home to one of the best skateparks in Dubai, The Block Park also offers open-air basketball and volleyball courts, climbing walls, and an urban beach. 

The Design District hosts the annual Dubai Design Week, a six day design celebration showcasing a diverse range of brands and local talent.

Where:  The Dubai Mall, Level 2, Opposite Galeries Lafayette

When:  Generally open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 12am and Friday to Sunday from 10am to 1am

How to get there:  Take the Red Line to the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station and use the covered walkway or Metro Link Bridge to access the mall. 

Arte Museum Dubai, created by d'strict, is an interactive multimedia art exhibition located at Dubai Mall. Focused on the theme of 'Eternal Nature,' the museum features digital artworks inspired by Dubai’s natural landscapes combining visuals, soundscapes, and scents to bring the artworks to life. 

The soundscape, composed by Korean composer Young-gyu Jang, harmoniously blends lifelike nature sounds to music scores. Each artwork is further brought to life by different scents, created by acclaimed perfumer Marianne Nawrocki Sabatier from the Grasse Institute of Perfumery in France. These fragrances combined with the stunning visuals and sounds offer an immersive experience.

Where:  Unit H74, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1

When:  Generally open Monday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm, with Fridays open from 2pm to 8pm.

How to get there: The closest metro station to Alserkal Avenue is Onpassive Metro Station, which is serviced by the red line. From Al Safa Bus Terminus (next to the metro station it is a ten minute bus ride (bus 110) to Alserkal Avenue.

TheJamJar, also located in Alserkal Avenue, is a creative arts hub that hosts a diverse range of art programs, educational workshops and community-driven projects. The space includes a DIY Painting Studio alongside creative learning programs and workshops. 

In the DIY studio you can rent a painting kit which includes an easel, canvas, and an unlimited supply of acrylic paints and brushes for the day. It’s a great family-friendly activity – every member of the family can participate. 

Adult and teen workshops include composition, colour theory and figure drawing. Children’s workshops include hands-on print making, 3D sculpture and collage. And even toddlers between the ages of 2 and 4 years of age can explore colours and textures, practice motor skills and let their imaginations run wild.

Stay at one of our Mercure hotels while taking in Dubai’s many art galleries and interactive community art projects. With a wide range of rooms designed to suit every need, from solo travellers to families, our hotels offer the ideal blend of comfort and convenience. 

Mercure Dubai Deira is located nearby the Gold Souk Metro station which puts you in close proximity to the D3 Dubai Design District. The hotel’s rooms are spacious and contemporary and you can dine on locally inspired dishes at either the Blue Panda or Farmstead restaurant.  Enjoy cocktails and refreshments while relaxing at the rooftop infinity pool or after a workout at the hotel gym. 

The Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights Hotel Suites & Apartments on Sheikh Zayed Road is situated a two minute walk from the Metro station offering easy access to Alserkal Avenue on the Red Line. Each suite comes with a dedicated living area, separate bedroom with balcony, and walk-in showers and bathtubs. These family-friendly, fully serviced apartments offer you your own space and are perfect for extended stays.

Mercure Gold Hotel Al Mina Road Dubai offers stylish, comfortable rooms, plus a pool and spa and fitness facilities near the Dubai Convention Centre and Jumeirah Beach.