The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi announces the inauguration of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, a landmark institution designed to strengthen the emirate’s global leadership in science-led culture, education and research. The museum opens its doors to the public on 22 November in Saadiyat Cultural District.
H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: "The opening of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi marks a major milestone in our journey to shape the emirate’s cultural landscape. The museum offers an immersive look at the story of life on Earth, framed for the first time through an Arabian lens, with the fauna, flora, and geological history of the region forming a prominent part of the visitor journey. The museum’s research and educational institution supports scientific knowledge and undertakes innovative scientific studies in zoology, palaeontology, marine biology, molecular research and earth sciences. By fostering engagement with the natural sciences, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi inspires future generations and contributes to a more sustainable future."
A defining feature of the museum is its focus on the natural history of the Arabian Peninsula. The narrative foregrounds the region’s geological evolution, ancient landscapes and long-lost species, offering visitors insight into the Gulf’s unique ecological past and its relevance to future environmental stewardship. These stories place Arabia’s natural heritage on the global natural-history stage in an unprecedented way.
Designed by renowned architects Mecanoo, the museum’s building rises from the Saadiyat Island landscape like a natural formation. Its silhouette echoes natural rock formations, reflecting the museum’s mission to connect people with the natural world and inspire the next generation to question, discover, and take part in shaping a more sustainable future.
Inside, the museum features a series of permanent galleries and exhibitions that take visitors on a journey through time. The main galleries include: The Story of Earth, The Evolving World, Our World, Resilient Planet, and Earth’s Future, alongside side galleries such as The PalaeoLab, The Life Sciences Lab, Arabia’s Climate, Beyond the Horizon, and The Human Story. Visitors can also explore the Interactive Theatre, which offers immersive visual experiences that transport them through time.
To mark its opening, the museum also unveils two major temporary exhibitions: The March of the Triceratops, showcasing the world’s only touring Triceratops herd, and the 61st Wildlife Photographer of the Year, one of the most prestigious global showcases of nature photography. Together, these exhibitions will launch the museum’s international program and pave the way for a new era of scientific and cultural collaboration at both local and global levels.
The museum joins a community of institutions including Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, reinforcing Saadiyat Cultural District as a global centre for knowledge, creativity, and cultural exchange – a place where the past, present and future of humanity come together in one living story.
About the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is established with the ambition to become a trusted research museum with world-class collections, engaging visitor experiences, strong educational programmes, accessible community science, and a commitment to sustainable change through national and global collaboration. Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi, the museum tells the epic story of life on earth through an Arabian lens. The 35,000 sqm museum build by renowned architects Mecanoo, offering an immersive journey through time, inviting visitors to explore the story of life on Earth from the beginning of the universe to the possibilities and responsibilities of our planetary future.
From rare meteorites and iconic dinosaur fossils to the lost world of Abu Dhabi and life on earth today, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi connects past, present, and future through its globally significant collections and the powerful stories they reveal. Interactive exhibits, immersive experiences, and community-science programmes make the museum an ever-changing space of curiosity and connection for families, students, researchers and lifelong learners.
More than a museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is a global hub for cutting-edge research. State-of-the-art laboratories will advance studies in palaeontology, earth sciences, biodiversity research, conservation and community science, fostering international collaboration and knowledge that supports a healthier planet. Guided by the UAE’s commitment to science, sustainability and global dialogue, the museum inspires visitors of every age to become advocates for nature and stewards of our shared future.
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