Ajman Museum

Ajman Museum is a useful first stop for understanding the coastal city before heading to its souqs and seafront. It occupies a restored eighteenth-century fort in Al Bustan, so the architecture is part of the collection: look at the defensive form of the building alongside the objects it now protects.

Inside, the strongest themes for a first visit are archaeology, pearling and the practical work of everyday life. The tourism authority identifies finds from the Al Muwaihat cemetery, as well as manuscripts, weapons, dhow models and irrigation displays. Rather than trying to absorb every object, follow one connection through the rooms: how people obtained water, earned a living or exchanged goods.

The exhibits have Arabic and English interpretation. For families, a simple approach is to ask children to compare a boat model with an irrigation model and explain what each helped people do. Travellers interested mainly in architecture can give more attention to the fort itself, then continue into the surrounding older commercial district.

Make the museum the fixed part of a flexible old-Ajman outing, with Saleh Souq and the Corniche as optional additions. Its official page gives conflicting daily and Friday opening information. That makes a direct schedule check worthwhile before arranging transport, especially if this is your only opportunity to enter.

• Restored fort architecture
• Archaeological collections
• Pearling and traditional-life exhibits