Images: Supplied
The doors of the Zayed National Museum, located in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District, opened to the public on December 3.
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster, the museum blends history, innovation, and culture.
The museum reflects how the story of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is deeply intertwined with that of the UAE, presenting his life as a lens through which to explore the values and aspirations that underpin the nation.
Visitors can enjoy immersive audiovisual displays, multisensory installations, and a collection of more than 3,000 objects, with 1,500 on display.
Zayed National Museum: Where culture and heritage meet
More than a museum, the destination offers a cultural experience: visitors can explore the permanent galleries, including Our Beginning, which traces the life and leadership of Sheikh Zayed; Through Our Nature, immersing guests in the UAE’s diverse landscapes; To Our Ancestors, showcasing 300,000 years of human presence; Through Our Connections, highlighting trade, technology, and the rise of shared identity; By Our Coasts, focusing on maritime heritage; and To Our Roots, reflecting traditional lifestyles and customs.
The museum also features the Al Masar Garden, a 600‑metre outdoor gallery connecting the Saadiyat coast to the museum, complete with native plants, a working falaj irrigation system, artistic sculptures, multisensory installations, and a timeline of Sheikh Zayed’s life.
Dining and leisure are part of the experience, with the fine dining Emirati restaurant Erth, Al Ghaf Cafe, and Garden Cafes.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “As the national museum of the UAE, Zayed National Museum tells the unfolding story of the land and its people. It demonstrates the unifying power of our history and our culture, providing a space where citizens, residents and visitors can see themselves reflected in the story of our people and our land. Bridging past, present and future, it will help shape how we understand the UAE’s evolving cultural narrative. As a world-class centre for research and learning, it will inspire and equip the next generation of Emirati curators, historians and conservators, enabling our nation to further contribute to knowledge production and global cultural discourse.”
Month-long programme to mark the opening
To mark its opening, Zayed National Museum is welcoming the public to experience a programme of performances, workshops and cultural activities running until December 31 under the theme ‘Deep Roots and Everlasting Legacy’.
The museum’s indoor and outdoor spaces will be activated with diverse experiences that honour the UAE’s heritage and celebrate its culture.
The programme brings together music, dance and storytelling to connect audiences of all ages to the nation’s history and heritage.
Highlights include traditional Razfa and Naashat dances; an immersive Gahwa experience designed with Bait Al Gahwa, accompanied by poetry, Taghrooda music, Nahma seafaring chants and the Nadba mountain call; poetry performances; and musical recitals. Hands-on workshops will explore traditional crafts and arts inspired by the museum narrative and collections, and museum tours will be available. Workshops and tours require advance booking.
The museum’s retail shop, Al Nagwa Boutique, offers a curated selection of gifts and souvenirs inspired by the museum’s themes and collections.
Alongside cultural icons like Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum promises to be a lifestyle destination that celebrates the nation’s past while inspiring its future.
Zayed National Museum entry tickets and annual memberships are available at zayednationalmuseum.ae.
