Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the UAE located in the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District, will open to the public on December 3, 2025.
Zayed National Museum will present the history of the UAE through an immersive journey that spans from ancient times to the present day. It will blend archaeological artefacts and historic objects with audiovisual and sensory experiences, as well as contemporary installations, reported WAM.
The landmark institution honours the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his commitment to cultural heritage, education, identity and belonging.
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, visitors will follow a pathway that traces the earliest evidence of human inhabitation, explores how civilisations lived and thrived over centuries, highlights connections through trade routes and celebrates the distinctive elements of Emirati culture and heritage. Sheikh Zayed’s legacy and values are embedded within the narrative throughout.
The museum journey begins at Al Masar Garden, an outdoor gallery that will welcome visitors into the landscapes that formed life in the UAE. Stretching 600 metres from the Saadiyat coast, between Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, to the museum entrance, Al Masar Garden features native plants and trees representing desert, oasis and urban environments. It also includes a working falaj irrigation system, artistic sculptures, multisensory installations and a timeline charting the life of Sheikh Zayed and the history of the UAE.
Zayed National Museum’s collection includes more than 3,000 pieces, of which 1,500 will be on display, each carefully chosen for the story it tells about the history of the land.