Zayed National Museum will open to the public on 3 December 2025 in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District
The Zayed National Museum, the official national museum of the United Arab Emirates, will open its doors to the public on 3 December 2025 in the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi.
A landmark cultural institution, the museum will offer an immersive journey through the UAE’s rich and diverse history, from its earliest human presence to the present day, honouring the life, leadership, and enduring legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the museum’s striking design and curated content reflect Sheikh Zayed’s deep commitment to heritage, education, identity and environmental stewardship. Visitors will travel through a series of immersive galleries that blend archaeological artefacts, audiovisual storytelling, sensory installations, and contemporary art.
The experience begins at Al Masar Garden, a 600-metre landscaped path leading from the Saadiyat coast to the museum entrance. Featuring native desert, oasis and urban flora, a traditional falaj irrigation system, and artistic installations, the garden sets the tone for a museum deeply rooted in place and memory.
Inside, the museum’s permanent collection — comprising over 3,000 objects, with 1,500 on display — offers a layered narrative across six galleries:
- Our Beginning explores the life and values of Sheikh Zayed, featuring personal items, voice recordings, film archives, and documents that shaped modern Emirati identity.
- Through Our Nature immerses visitors in the UAE’s diverse natural landscapes and their influence on human life.
- To Our Ancestors reveals 300,000 years of history, including archaeological finds from the Stone and Bronze Ages.
- Through Our Connections traces regional and international trade, technological advancement, and the arrival of Islam.
- By Our Coasts celebrates the UAE’s maritime legacy, from historic navigation to the pearl trade.
- To Our Roots explores traditional Emirati inland lifestyles, customs, and social practices.
The museum’s opening will be marked by a programme of performances, workshops, guided tours, and family-friendly activities. Visitors will also be able to enjoy Emirati fine dining at Erth, as well as refreshments at Al Ghaf Café and Garden Cafés.
Positioned among world-class institutions such as Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum will reinforce Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a global hub for culture, dialogue, and innovation.
As a cornerstone of the Saadiyat Cultural District, the museum not only preserves the UAE’s past but also reflects its future, where heritage, creativity, and knowledge shape a shared national and global identity.
