The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, opening in November 2025, is set to take visitors on a journey of time and imagination. Nestled in the Saadiyat Cultural District, alongside the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Zayed National Museum, it will become one of the most astonishing museums in the Middle East.

This is not just a museum—it’s a time machine spanning 13.8 billion years of Earth’s story. Each exhibition will transport you from the birth of the universe to the age of dinosaurs and into a future shaped by human curiosity.

A Walk Through Deep Time

From the moment you step inside, you’ll be immersed in an otherworldly experience. The museum opens with the origins of the cosmos—the Big Bang, the spark that set everything into motion. As you move through the galleries, Earth slowly takes shape before your eyes, life begins to bloom, and fascinating creatures rise and fall in a cycle of creation and change.

One of the biggest stars of the exhibition is Stan, the legendary Tyrannosaurus rex. Perfectly preserved and towering in its skeletal glory, Stan is both terrifying and magnificent. Nearby, the ancient Murchison Meteorite, older than Earth itself, sits quietly—a poetic reminder of our cosmic beginnings.

The collection also celebrates regional discoveries, such as the Stegotetrabelodon emiratus, a prehistoric elephant that once roamed what is now desert sand. These fossils tell not only the story of Earth but also the UAE’s role in uncovering the world’s ancient secrets.

Designed by Nature Itself

The museum’s architecture, envisioned by Mecanoo, mirrors the fluid textures of wind-carved rock formations. From above, it looks as though the Earth itself decided to rise and tell its story. The design reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to environmental consciousness and sustainability, aligning nature’s elegance with modern engineering.

A World of Discovery Awaits

Each hall offers a new chapter: the formation of life, the age of reptiles, the evolution of species, and the role of humanity in the grand ecosystem. Visitors will find immersive exhibits, digital storytelling, and working scientific labs where research teams give a real-time look into discoveries happening behind the scenes.

The museum aims to inspire curiosity in every age group—children will marvel at dinosaurs, nature lovers will explore biodiversity, and researchers will connect with the data that defines the history of our planet.

More Than a Museum – A Journey Beyond Walls

The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi bridges science, heritage, and adventure—values that resonate deeply with every traveler visiting the UAE. So, after exploring 13.8 billion years indoors, step out to witness the wonders of today.

Book a Desert Safari in Abu Dhabi and feel the planet’s shifting sands under your feet. Cruise through the Mangrove Kayaking Tours, witnessing life teeming at the water’s edge. Or enjoy Al Ain City Tours, tracing landscapes that have stood the test of time.

The Spirit of Curiosity

More than a collection of fossils and meteorites, the museum is a celebration of our shared connection to the natural world. It reminds us that Earth’s history is not a story written in stone—it’s one that continues every day, shaped by life, science, and the human drive to explore.