Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the United Arab Emirates located at the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District, will officially open to the public on 3rd December 2025.
The museum will take visitors on an immersive journey through the UAE’s history — from ancient civilisations to the modern day — combining archaeological artefacts, historical objects, audiovisual storytelling, and sensory installations.
Dedicated to honouring the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE, the landmark institution celebrates his lifelong dedication to cultural heritage, education, identity, and national pride.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said, “As the national museum of the UAE, sitting at the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District, Zayed National Museum presents the story of our land, our people, and our heritage in a way that is alive, evolving, and open to all. The museum reflects the vision and values of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose belief in culture, education, and knowledge continues to guide us.
“History and innovation come together within the museum, creating a space where dialogue, learning, and exchange can flourish, and where visitors of all generations can engage with our nation’s journey from its ancient roots to its aspirations for the future. In opening these doors, we reaffirm our commitment to culture as a source of knowledge, connection, and inspiration for generations to come. The inauguration of Zayed National Museum is a defining milestone in the enduring cultural journey of Abu Dhabi.”
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the museum’s narrative will guide visitors through a chronological exploration of human settlement in the region. It will highlight trade connections, celebrate Emirati traditions, and weave Sheikh Zayed’s legacy throughout.
The experience begins at Al Masar Garden, an outdoor gallery that leads visitors through landscapes central to life in the UAE. Spanning 600 metres between Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, the garden showcases native plants and trees representing desert, oasis, and urban ecosystems, along with a functioning falaj irrigation system, sculptures, sensory installations, and a timeline chronicling Sheikh Zayed’s life and the UAE’s history.
The museum’s collection exceeds 3,000 artefacts, with 1,500 on display — each chosen for the story it tells about the land and its people.
The permanent galleries begin with Our Beginning, dedicated to Sheikh Zayed’s life and leadership. Through recordings of his voice, archival photos, films, personal items, and letters, visitors will gain insight into his early years in Al Ain, his vision for unity, and his enduring influence on the nation.
In Through Our Nature, visitors explore the UAE’s diverse landscapes — mountains, deserts, oases, and seas — and how geography has shaped life and sustainability over millennia.
To Our Ancestors showcases archaeological discoveries that reveal 300,000 years of continuous human presence. Highlights include one of the world’s oldest pearls and a reconstruction of the Hili Grand Tomb, providing insight into early civilisations and their way of life.
Through Our Connections covers the Iron Age to the 1100s CE, illustrating how trade, technology, and the rise of Islam shaped identity, communication, and culture across the region.
By Our Coasts explores the UAE’s maritime heritage and trade legacy, from the era of navigator Ibn Majid to the pearl divers and merchants who defined the nation’s coastal identity.
The journey concludes in To Our Roots, which delves into inland life, customs, and social practices that shaped Emirati identity and resilience.
To celebrate the opening, a diverse programme of performances, workshops, tours, and activities will be held, inviting visitors to engage with the museum and its stories. Dining options will include the fine-dining Emirati restaurant Erth, as well as Al Ghaf Café and Garden Cafés.
Zayed National Museum joins the ranks of world-class institutions on Saadiyat Island, including Louvre Abu Dhabi and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, alongside the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Together, these institutions form Saadiyat Cultural District — a global destination for creativity, dialogue, and discovery, where heritage and innovation converge to shape Abu Dhabi’s cultural future.
(Inputs from WAM)
