Zayed National Museum

Zayed National Museum is the UAE’s flagship museum of its own story, and one of the newest landmarks in the Saadiyat Cultural District. Opened in December 2025 beside Louvre Abu Dhabi, the building’s soaring forms are inspired by the wings of a falcon, a fitting tribute to the life and values of the nation’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Inside, more than 1,500 objects trace human life in this land across an extraordinary span of time. The gallery To Our Ancestors begins some 300,000 years ago, with stone tools from Jebel Hafeet, and continues through the Bronze Age tombs of early communities. Through Our Connections follows the Iron Age, the caravan and sea trade routes, and the arrival of Islam, with pieces such as Chinese porcelain that reached these shores by boat.

Treasures not to miss

Look out for the Abu Dhabi Pearl, a natural pearl recovered on Marawah Island and among the oldest ever found, and rare folios of the Blue Quran. In the atrium stands an 18-metre reconstruction of a Magan boat, the kind of vessel that carried copper and goods across ancient trade networks. A dedicated section and cinema space explore Sheikh Zayed’s vision for the country.

The museum is designed to be welcoming, with stair-free routes and lifts, and children under 18 currently enter free, which makes it an excellent family outing. Combine it with a stroll around the cultural district for a full day of discovery. We will confirm your preferred date and time slot, along with the final price, on WhatsApp before payment.