Zayed National Museum to Open Its Doors on December 3rd

Zayed National Museum will open to the public in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District on December 3rd, 2025. Developed by the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, the institution is dedicated to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the wider history of the United Arab Emirates.

Designed by Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the building features five steel towers intended to evoke falcon wings. The site includes Al Masar Garden, a 600‑metre landscaped route that links the Louvre Abu Dhabi to Zayed National Museum and the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. The garden incorporates native plants, a working falaj irrigation system, sculptures and installations, alongside a timeline outlining Sheikh Zayed’s life and milestones in the country’s history.

Inside, the museum will present galleries that trace around 300,000 years, with a collection of more than 3,000 artefacts, of which more than 1,500 will be on display. The displays cover the leadership and life of Sheikh Zayed, the country’s natural environments, archaeological finds including a 300,000‑year‑old stone tool and a reconstructed Hili Grand Tomb, trade and cultural exchange from the Iron Age to the 12th century CE, maritime heritage including figures such as navigator Ibn Majid and the pearl diving era, and inland life before the discovery of oil.

An opening programme will feature performances, tours, workshops and interactive activities. On‑site dining will include Erth, Al Ghaf Café and Garden Cafes. Ticketing has been set at AED 70 for adults and AED 35 for students at universities in the country and teachers in the Emirates, with free entry for minors, senior Emiratis and residents, people of determination and accredited journalists. Tickets can be booked in hourly time slots.