Zayed National Museum, honouring UAE heritage and Sheikh Zayed’s legacy, will open in Saadiyat Cultural District on December 3.
ABU DHABI: Zayed National Museum, the official national museum of the UAE, will open to the public on December 3, 2025. Located in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District, this landmark institution celebrates the nation’s history, heritage and the visionary legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan through immersive storytelling and educational exhibits.
Designed by renowned architect Lord Norman Foster, the museum presents over 3,000 artefacts in permanent galleries that trace the UAE’s journey from ancient human settlements to modern unification. With a strong focus on identity and innovation, the museum highlights Sheikh Zayed’s contributions and enduring values across galleries like “Our Beginning,” “Through Our Nature,” and “To Our Ancestors.”
Visitors will begin their journey at Al Masar Garden, a landscaped outdoor space featuring native plants, sculptures and a timeline of Sheikh Zayed’s life. Inside, the galleries offer archaeological finds, personal items of Sheikh Zayed, voice recordings, historical footage and dioramas exploring the UAE’s natural environment, coastal life and inland traditions.
As part of the Saadiyat Cultural District, Zayed National Museum joins cultural institutions like Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. The opening celebrations will include performances, workshops, guided tours and Emirati culinary experiences at venues such as Erth and Al Ghaf Café.
Zayed National Museum stands as a tribute to the UAE’s past and a symbol of its cultural future, anchoring Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for dialogue, knowledge and innovation.
