Travelling to Abu Dhabi? Make sure Zayed National Museum is on your list
Sponsored: The National Museum of the United Arab Emirates opens to the public this December
The big cultural moment you have been waiting for in the UAE is here: Zayed National Museum officially opens its doors on Wednesday, December 3, and you’ll want to be among the first inside.
Zayed National Museum – متحف زايد الوطني
This long-awaited landmark in Saadiyat Cultural District brings history, heritage and learning together in one stunning space, making it the ideal family outing as the weather cools down.
Before entering the museum, enjoy a stroll along Al Masar Garden, a 600-metre outdoor gallery that takes visitors through the timeline of Sheikh Zayed’s life, set within landscapes that reflect the environments that inspired him. It features sculptures and plants representing the UAE’s desert, oasis, and urban settings.
The garden also offers a multi-sensory experience – including sight where you will come across native and symbolic plants to the Emirati culture, for a touch experience of different textures, materials and sculptural forms, and as for scent, Al Masar Garden is home to flowering species with distinct scents, some of which are linked to traditional practices.
You can also experience sound, where oral histories are heard alongside natural soundscapes that connect visitors with plants, natural materials, and open-air installations.
Al Masar Garden also features three different Garden Cafes along its path for those who wish to grab a quick bite or savour delicious bites from local culinary concepts.
Once you enter the museum, get ready for a journey that reaches deep into the past. Zayed National Museum tells the story of the UAE through its people, all anchored in the vision and values of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
جاك بورلوت © دائرة الثقافة والسياحة – أبوظبي، مقتنيات متحف زايد الوطني Jack Burlot © Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum Collection
Across six permanent galleries, the experience combines a collection of around 1,500 objects, immersive storytelling and interactive displays.
You’ll find everything from a 300,000-year-old stone tool from Jebel Hafit to rare manuscripts. This is a museum that bridges the past and the future.
دائرة الثقافة والسياحة – أبوظبي Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
While exploring the stunning grounds of Zayed National Museum, you are sure to work up an appetite, and luckily, the museum has options for every mood.
Visit Erth Restaurant for a fine-dining experience and authentic Emirati cuisine, or Al Ghaf Cafe for light bites and refreshing drinks.
And you must stop by Al Nagwa Boutique, the museum’s retail space, to pick up beautifully designed keepsakes inspired by the UAE’s culture and craftsmanship.
Grab your tickets
If you’re as excited as we are, you’ll be delighted to know you can already book your tickets to visit this stunning museum.
It’s SAR71 (Dhs70) per adult for general admission tickets, while children under 18 can enter for free. Tickets for senior citizens, people of determination, and their accompanying guests and visitors under 18 are also free.
Tickets are sold with specific time slots to ensure all visitors can enjoy their experience as intended.
Visitors are also encouraged to plan their visit in advance via zayednationalmuseum.ae
Location: Zayed National Museum, Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Images: Zayed National Museum, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
