Zayed National Museum is the national museum of the United Arab Emirates and the centrepiece of the Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi. It opened on 3 December 2025 and tells the story of the land and its people, as a tribute to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the nation’s Founding Father. Whether you live in the UAE or are visiting Abu Dhabi, it is one of the best places to understand the country’s history and identity.
The museum was designed by Lord Norman Foster and Foster + Partners. Its silhouette is inspired by a falcon’s wing, a nod to the bird at the heart of Emirati heritage and to Sheikh Zayed’s passion for falconry. The design was first revealed about fifteen years before opening, and the building is now one of the most recognisable landmarks on Saadiyat Island.
Inside, six permanent galleries cover around 300,000 years of history, traditions and daily life in the region. The collection ranges from archaeological finds to contemporary installations. A highlight is the Magan Boat, the result of the museum’s first research partnership with Zayed University and New York University Abu Dhabi.
Your visit starts outdoors at Al Masar Garden, a 600-metre outdoor gallery that runs from the Saadiyat coast between Louvre Abu Dhabi and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. It is a good first stop, especially in the cooler months.
Food options include the Emirati restaurant Erth, Al Ghaf Café and the Garden Cafés, so you can easily spend half a day here.
The museum sits alongside Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. You can combine several of them in one trip.
