Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House

A relic from Dubai’s pre-oil days
Noteworthy for: Built using coral treated with lime and plaster—the standard materials of the day—the structure has a pinky hue that looks especially inviting at dusk.

The 19th century palace is one of the most exquisite examples of traditional architecture in Dubai. Even today, the arched doorways, vaulted ceilings and elaborately carved trellis screens are magnificent to behold. Inside, the rooms open out into a large courtyard, and on the upper floor, they each offer stunning views over the Creek.
The house was home to the ruling family from 1896 until the death of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, grandfather of the current ruler, Sheikh Mohammed. It has since been converted into a museum, where guests can look at rare photographs of the city chronicling Dubai’s development from a small fishing village into the record breaking urban behemoth of today. Other rooms feature antique coins, stamps and various documents dating as far back as 1791.