- Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai set to reopen after restoration
- Five-year restoration project overseen by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority
- Fort built in 1787 near banks of Dubai Creek
- Refreshed museum experience with updated artifact displays
- New underground extension focuses on fort’s defensive history
Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai’s oldest existing building is set to reopen to the public by the end of 2026 following a comprehensive five-year restoration project. The historic landmark built in 1787 near the banks of Dubai Creek has been closed since 2021 to undergo extensive rehabilitation overseen by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. According to Ayisha Khansaheb the director of Al Fahidi Fort and specialised museums the site will host tourists and residents in the coming weeks or months.
The restoration project aims to bridge Dubai’s heritage with a modernised visitor experience serving as a cultural gateway to the story of the emirate before the era of modern skyscrapers. The fort which originally opened as the Dubai Museum in 1971 will feature updated artifact displays and advanced digital media galleries. A newly constructed subterranean wing will focus specifically on the fort’s defensive history.
Visitors will once again be able to walk the historic coral-stone walls, scale the watchtowers and explore the central courtyard. The project has added enhanced climate control systems to better protect delicate antiquities alongside improved accessibility features for visitors with mobility challenges. Historically the fort has served as a defensive stronghold, a royal residence, an arsenal for weapons and a prison. Before its closure it was one of Dubai’s most visited cultural spots drawing around 1.5m visitors in 2019 alone.
