Zayed National Museum to Open December 2025 on Saadiyat Island

ABU DHABI, UAE - 9 July 2025 - Abu Dhabi’s Zayed National Museum is set to officially open its doors in December 2025. Zayed National Museum opening date announced. A major milestone for the UAE’s cultural sector and a long-anticipated moment for the region.

The world’s oldest natural pearl and an 1,100-year-old Qur’an will be among the star exhibits at Zayed National Museum. The mega museum, on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi and designed by the British firm Foster + Partners, will open in December 2025, it was announced today.

Located in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District, the museum will honor the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding father, and will present a sweeping narrative of the nation's history spanning 300,000 years.

A Landmark of National Heritage

Designed by Foster + Partners, the museum’s five soaring steel towers evoke falcon wings—paying homage to the UAE’s deep-rooted falconry tradition. The design isn’t just symbolic; the towers serve as solar thermal chimneys to help cool the building naturally.

Inside, the museum will feature six permanent galleries and a dedicated space for temporary exhibitions. Key artefacts on display will include the Abu Dhabi Pearl, considered one of the oldest known natural pearls, along with Bronze Age tools, manuscripts, and a rare 11th-century Qur’an.

A Hub for Research and Cultural Education

The museum will also house a dedicated research fund supporting academic work on Emirati heritage and history. This initiative underscores its role as more than just a cultural landmark, it’s also a centre for knowledge and dialogue.

Strengthening Saadiyat’s Cultural District

The Zayed National Museum will join a growing network of world-class institutions on Saadiyat Island, including Louvre Abu Dhabi and the soon-to-open Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Natural History Museum. This cultural hub reflects the UAE’s commitment to arts, education, and global exchange.

The opening of the Zayed National Museum is set to be a major milestone in the UAE’s cultural landscape, blending heritage, design, and innovation into one national icon.