It won’t be long before doors reopen
In January 2026, we shared that Al Fahidi Fort was on track to reopen after an extensive transformation. This week, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, was the first to tour the site and review the progress of its impressive revamp ahead of welcoming visitors once again.
During her visit, she received a detailed brief on the comprehensive restoration. She was taken on a tour of the galleries, which chronicle the Fort’s history from its construction in 1787 to the present day.
You can watch the video below:
During a site visit, I reviewed the progress of Al Fahidi Fort rehabilitation works.⁰⁰As you stand between the walls of Dubai’s oldest surviving structure, you find yourself face to face with the earliest beginnings of a city that believed in its dream and continues to move… pic.twitter.com/s9o4rDuZXB
— Latifa MR Al Maktoum (@hhshklatifa) February 22, 2026
Her Highness emphasised that Al Fahidi Fort is not just one of Dubai’s most prominent historical landmarks, but a defining point in the emirate’s modern story. She shared, “Al Fahidi Fort stands as a reminder of where our journey began; within its walls lies the spirit of a city shaped by vision and belief in what could be achieved, reflecting the foresight of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who understood that enduring progress is built on strong foundations and clear purpose. The fort carries the memory of a community that safeguarded its values and traditions, and from that foundation, a global city emerged.”
Her Highness added, “Today, Al Fahidi Fort remains a cornerstone of Dubai’s cultural landscape and a key pillar of our cultural tourism offering, providing visitors with a meaningful window into our past and allowing them to experience the stories, traditions, and daily life that shaped our identity. Preserving such landmarks ensures that as we continue to build the future, we remain connected to the heritage that defines who we are.”
What to expect when Al Fahidi Fort reopens?
When the Al Fahidi Fort reopens, it will feature six main galleries and exhibition spaces featuring a wide range of artefacts, archival photographs, and historical documents.
It is all brought to life through cutting-edge digital media, immersive audiovisual features, and interactive 3D displays – each telling the story of the site’s evolution over many decades.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, announced the rehabilitation project of the historical Al Fahidi Fort on January 20, 2021. The project is part of the vision of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum to promote the fort as a cultural landmark and preserve the emirate’s civilisational and cultural heritage. It is also in line with the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to preserve historical buildings in the city.
It is expected to reopen in the first half of 2026. What’s On is keeping a close eye for any updates, so stay tuned.
A little history lesson
Al Fahidi Fort is among Dubai’s earliest buildings, located at the southern end of the Dubai Creek and was built in 1787. It served as the headquarters for the ruler of the emirate.
It was restored during the reign of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and then in 1971, the year when the UAE was founded, Al Fahidi Fort was officially inaugurated as the Dubai Museum and began showcasing the history and heritage of the emirate of Dubai.
Since then, the development and expansion of the Fort continued, and in 1995, the second section of the museum located under the fort was opened, which contains exhibits and collections from the period before the discovery of oil as well as antiquities that were found in Dubai’s archaeological sites.
Images: Dubai Media Office
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