Dubai, September 19, 2026: Dubai’s historic Al Fahidi Fort, the city’s oldest surviving building, is set to reopen to visitors after nearly five years of closure and extensive restoration work.
Located in Old Dubai, the more than 230-year-old fort was built around 1787 as a defensive stronghold. Over the years, it served as a ruler’s residence, a centre of government and administration, and a prison before becoming Dubai’s first museum in 1971.
Al Fahidi Fort Set to Welcome Visitors Again
The fort has been closed since 2021 while extensive rehabilitation work was carried out. According to Dubai Culture and Arts Authority officials, visitors are expected to return in the coming weeks or months.
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The restored site will combine the original fort with a new museum experience featuring historical artefacts, archival material and interactive technology. The visitor journey will also include new exhibition spaces and an underground extension before leading into the historic fort itself.
What Has Changed During the Restoration
The redevelopment is designed to present the history of Dubai through the fort and its collections. The renewed museum experience will include galleries covering areas such as defence, leadership and craftsmanship, along with audiovisual and interactive displays.
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The historic walls, watchtowers, gates and courtyard of Al Fahidi Fort will remain an important part of the visitor experience.
Dubai Tourism Continues to Draw Millions of Visitors
The reopening comes as Dubai continues to attract large numbers of international visitors. Dubai recorded 6.97 million international visitors during the first eight months of 2026, including about 869,000 visitors in August alone.
The city welcomed 19.59 million international visitors in 2025, highlighting the scale of Dubai’s tourism market as new and restored attractions continue to add to its visitor offering.
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These figures refer to Dubai’s overall international visitor numbers, not visitors to Al Fahidi Fort.
A New Chapter for One of Old Dubai’s Landmarks
After remaining closed for restoration since 2021, Al Fahidi Fort is now approaching its return as a museum and cultural attraction.
For tourists interested in Old Dubai, history and culture, the reopening will bring one of the emirate’s most important historic landmarks back into the visitor experience, alongside the traditional neighbourhood surrounding the Dubai Creek.
News Sources: Euronews, The National, Dubai Media Office.
