The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is scheduled to open its doors to the public on November 22 in the Saadiyat Cultural District. As the largest museum of its kind in the region, it will serve as a new global destination for science education and cultural exchange, inviting visitors to explore the entire 13.8-billion-year story of life on Earth.
The 35,000-square-metre museum, designed by renowned architects Mecanoo to resemble a natural rock formation, is a significant addition to the UAE’s cultural landscape. Its mission is to foster engagement with the natural sciences and inspire future generations to contribute to a more sustainable future.
The museum features an exceptional collection, including three globally significant exhibits:
Stan, the Tyrannosaurus rex: A nearly complete skeleton of the apex predator that ruled the Earth 67 million years ago.
A 25-metre female blue whale specimen: Representing the largest animal ever known, offering extraordinary insight into evolution and marine biodiversity.
The Murchison Meteorite: An artefact that predates our Solar System, containing 7-billion-year-old grains.
Crucially, the natural history of the Arabian Peninsula forms a central part of the museum’s narrative. The museum highlights the region’s unique contribution to Earth’s story, including the display of an extinct species of elephant known as Stegotetrabelodon emiratus, distinguished by tusks in both its upper and lower jaws.
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."
The museum is also established as a global hub for cutting-edge research, with state-of-the-art laboratories advancing studies in palaeontology earth sciences and biodiversity.
To mark its launch, the museum will feature two temporary international exhibitions: The March of the Triceratops, showcasing the world’s only touring Triceratops herd, and the 61st Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.
The Natural History Museum joins institutions including Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, further cementing Saadiyat Cultural District as a global centre for knowledge and cultural exchange.
Meet Saadiyat Cultural District Stand S10-210