Abu Dhabi’s long-awaited Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the UAE, will open to the public on December 3 2025 in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District.
The landmark institution will chronicle the UAE’s history from ancient times to the present day through 3,000 artefacts, immersive storytelling and multi-sensory experiences.
The museum pays tribute to the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his lifelong commitment to cultural heritage, education and identity.
Visitors will explore how his vision continues to shape the nation’s values of knowledge, openness 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… The inauguration of Zayed National Museum is a defining milestone in the enduring cultural journey of Abu Dhabi.”
Created by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the museum leads visitors along a pathway tracing early human habitation, regional trade routes and the development of Emirati culture.
Sheikh Zayed’s values are embedded throughout the narrative.
Visitors will begin at Al Masar Garden, a 600m outdoor gallery stretching from the Saadiyat coast—between Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi—to the museum entrance.
The garden features native flora, a working falaj irrigation system, sculptures, and a timeline charting Sheikh Zayed’s life and the UAE’s formation.
