As a legacy of Sheikh Zayed’s vision, the museum stands not only as a guardian of the past but as a space for the world to connect with the evolving story of the United Arab Emirates
Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the United Arab Emirates, will open its doors in December 2025 in the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi, one of the highest concentrations of cultural institutions globally. The landmark institution honours the Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his commitment to education, identity and belonging.
Through immersive exhibitions, active research, and engaging public programming, the museum builds on Sheikh Zayed’s vision, upholding the values he stood for, including humanitarianism and preserving legacy. Visitors will explore six permanent galleries across two floors, spanning 300,000 years of human history, as well as a temporary exhibition gallery. The museum’s collection features artefacts from across the UAE, including donations that speak to the rich heritage of the country, in addition to domestic and international loans.
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “The cultural legacy of the UAE has been nurtured over decades, from the establishment of its earliest cultural institutions to today’s expansive vision for cultural exchange and knowledge. Saadiyat Cultural District represents the next chapter in this national journey, curating world-class institutions that honour the past and engage the future. As the national museum of the United Arab Emirates, Zayed National Museum is the legacy of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It is a tribute to his boundless belief in people, in their ability to learn, to uphold the values of unity, compassion and national pride. This museum is more than a place of preservation; it is a promise to future generations, a beacon of our identity, and a space where our story is told not just through objects, but through emotion, memory and vision. This institution will carry our story forward for generations to come.”
The museum includes Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age artefacts, uncovered by research teams across the United Arab Emirates over fifty years ago. These artefacts tell a story of resilience and resourcefulness of the country’s first communities, from the world’s oldest falaj irrigation system to evidence of Bronze Age copper mining.
Museum highlights will include the Abu Dhabi Pearl, one of the world’s oldest natural pearls, shedding new light on the history of pearling in the Arabian Gulf; the Blue Qur’an, one of Islamic art’s finest manuscripts; and a recreation of an ancient Magan Boat, the outcome of the museum’s first research partnership with Zayed University and New York University Abu Dhabi.
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the museum’s design embodies the heritage of the United Arab Emirates, which is at the forefront of its sustainable design. The five steel structures which rise above the museum are inspired by the wing of a falcon in flight, with falconry a practice that is an integral part of Emirati culture.
The museum will offer an inclusive and accessible experience that connects people across generations and geographies. Through its galleries, learning programmes, and pioneering research, it will bring global perspectives into dialogue with the UAE’s heritage and contemporary identity. From inspiring young people and engaging People of Determination and senior citizens, to driving international scholarship, Zayed National Museum will stand as a dynamic platform for cultural exchange and shared understanding.
As part of Saadiyat Cultural District’s mission to foster dialogue and promote cultural equity, Zayed National Museum will present collections and narratives that celebrate the region’s rich heritage while engaging with diverse global perspectives. It will stand alongside several globally renowned cultural institutions within the District, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a global meeting place for culture, ideas, and innovation.
About Zayed National Museum:
Zayed National Museum, located in the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi, is the national museum of the United Arab Emirates. Guided by the values of its Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the museum tells the story of the nation from ancient times to present day. Through exhibitions, research and public programming, it explores the UAE’s history, culture and heritage, honouring Sheikh Zayed’s enduring legacy and his commitment to knowledge, unity and the preservation of Emirati identity.
About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions.
By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.
