Abu dhabi: Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the United Arab Emirates 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.
According to Emirates News Agency, 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, stated that the museum reflects the vision and values of Sheikh Zayed, whose belief in culture, education, and knowledge continues to guide the nation. The museum is seen as a space where dialogue, learning, and exchange can flourish, providing a comprehensive narrative of the UAE's journey from its ancient roots to its future aspirations.
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the museum will guide visitors through a pathway that traces the earliest evidence of human inhabitation. It will explore how civilizations lived and thrived over centuries, highlight connections through trade routes, and celebrate the distinctive elements of Emirati culture and heritage. Sheikh Zayed's legacy and values are embedded throughout the museum's narrative.
The museum journey begins at Al Masar Garden, an outdoor gallery that welcomes visitors into the landscapes that shaped life in the UAE. The garden features native plants and trees representing desert, oasis, and urban environments, along with a working falaj irrigation system, artistic sculptures, multisensory installations, and a timeline charting Sheikh Zayed's life and the history of the UAE.
Zayed National Museum's collection includes more than 3,000 pieces, with 1,500 on display, each chosen for the story it tells about the history of the land. The journey through the permanent galleries starts in Our Beginning, which is dedicated to the life and leadership of Sheikh Zayed. Visitors will learn about the UAE's foundational years and the historical and cultural influences that shaped the nation.
Using artistic dioramas, natural specimens, and multimedia installations, the Through Our Nature gallery immerses visitors in the landscapes of the UAE. The gallery examines the historical impact of geography on life in the country's mountains, desert, oases, and sea. The museum narrative then expands in the gallery 'To Our Ancestors', showcasing archaeological findings that reveal 300,000 years of human presence.
Visitors will then explore the 'Through Our Connections' gallery, spanning from the Iron Age to the 1100s CE, showing how new technologies, materials, and faith led to an emerging shared identity. The 'By Our Coasts' gallery highlights the UAE's maritime heritage, from the navigator Ibn Majid to the pearl divers, and the UAE's role in cultural exchange.
The museum journey concludes in the gallery 'To Our Roots', exploring Emirati identity through traditional lifestyles, customs, and economic practices. To mark the opening, a programme of performances, workshops, and activities will invite visitors to explore and participate. Food and beverage options, including Emirati restaurant Erth and cafes, will be available.
Zayed National Museum will stand alongside globally renowned cultural institutions in the Saadiyat Cultural District, such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, creating spaces for cultural exchange and discovery in Abu Dhabi.