Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi to Open on 22 November in Saadiyat Cultural District

International

New landmark museum invites visitors to explore 13.8 billion years of life on Earth through science, discovery, and the story of the Arabian Peninsula

The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will open its doors to the public on 22 November, becoming the largest museum of its kind in the region and a major addition to the Saadiyat Cultural District. Designed as a global hub for science, nature, and education, the museum will take visitors on an awe-inspiring journey through 13.8 billion years of natural history — from the Big Bang to the emergence of life on Earth, and beyond.

A New Cultural Milestone

Spanning 35,000 square metres, the museum represents a significant step in Abu Dhabi’s cultural evolution, positioning the emirate as a leading destination for learning and discovery. Visitors will explore the planet’s past, present, and future through immersive galleries that blend storytelling with cutting-edge scientific research.

Among its most extraordinary highlights are three “travellers from deep time”:

· Stan the T. rex, one of the world’s most complete and celebrated Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons, showcasing the might of Earth’s ancient predators.

· A 25-metre female blue whale, representing the largest animal ever known and illuminating the wonders of evolution and marine biodiversity.

· The Murchison Meteorite, a cosmic relic containing 7-billion-year-old stardust grains—older than the Solar System itself.

A Vision for Science, Sustainability, and Education

H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said:

“The opening of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi marks a major milestone in our journey to shape the emirate’s cultural landscape. The museum offers an immersive look at the story of life on Earth, framed for the first time through an Arabian lens, with the fauna, flora, and geological history of the region forming a prominent part of the visitor journey.

The museum’s research and educational institution supports scientific knowledge and undertakes innovative studies in zoology, palaeontology, marine biology, molecular research, and earth sciences. By fostering engagement with the natural sciences, it inspires future generations and contributes to a more sustainable future.”

Nature Through an Arabian Lens

A distinctive feature of the museum is its focus on the natural history of the Arabian Peninsula, celebrating the region’s rich contribution to Earth’s story. Visitors will encounter the Stegotetrabelodon emiratus, an extinct species of elephant once native to Abu Dhabi. Distinguished by tusks in both its upper and lower jaws, this ancient creature exemplifies the unique biodiversity that has long characterized the Arabian environment.

Part of a Global Cultural Community

The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi joins the prestigious community of institutions within the Saadiyat Cultural District, alongside Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

With its opening, Abu Dhabi continues to affirm its role as a cultural and scientific crossroads — where the deep past meets the possibilities of a sustainable, knowledge-driven future.