His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has officially inaugurated the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi (NHMAD).
Located in the UAE capital city of Abu Dhabi, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi forms a pivotal part of the ambitious new Saadiyat Cultural District, this landmark institution instantly reinforces the UAE's leadership in culture and scientific discovery, inviting visitors to embark on an inspiring journey spanning 13.8 billion years of history — from the very creation of our universe to the story of life on earth.
The museum is set to open its doors to the public on November 22, 2025, proudly taking the title of the largest institution of its kind across the Middle East.
What can visitors expect?
NHMAD’s extraordinary exhibits include two massive, world-first displays that bring the awe-inspiring age of the dinosaurs back to life.
Guests are greeted in the main atrium by an unprecedented sight: the world’s first-ever display of a sauropod dinosaur herd, featuring five different species of these long-necked giants standing majestically together. Deeper into the galleries, another spectacular scene awaits: a dynamic display featuring two fossilised Tyrannosaurus rexes locked in battle over the carcass of a Triceratops. This exhibit, the first of its kind globally, includes "Stan," one of the best-preserved 67-million-year-old T. rex specimens ever discovered.
Crucially, the newly opened museum anchors its global narrative with a special focus on the natural history of the Emirates and the wider Arabian region. Galleries transport visitors seven million years into the past, revealing a surprisingly green and lush, savannah-like landscape that was once roamed by now-extinct animals, including a giant elephant with four tusks, which is also featured prominently in the exhibition.
Beyond the immersive visitor experience, research, education, and sustainable conservation are at the heart of the NHMAD’s mission. The facility includes dedicated onsite research facilities that will support interdisciplinary research and contribute directly to global knowledge production. Guided by the UAE’s commitment to environmental stewardship, the museum seeks to educate and empower young citizens to become future scientists, researchers, and conservation leaders, ensuring they are inspired to pursue careers in natural history and environmental responsibility.
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi joins a growing community of world-class institutions — including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi — that collectively define the Saadiyat Cultural District as a global destination where art, science, and heritage are brought together to shape future generations.
Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi opens to the public on November 22,
Tickets start from Dhs70 per person
Buy your tickets here
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