Dinosaurs, meteorites and the world’s largest blue whale skeleton will soon call Abu Dhabi home. The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi opens on November 22, 2025 in the Saadiyat Cultural District, taking visitors on a 13.8-billion-year journey through the story of life on Earth.
It will stand as the region’s largest museum of its kind — a new global destination for science, nature and culture.
Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi
As the largest museum of its kind in the region, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi aims to inspire global dialogue on the story of life on Earth and the future of our planet.
The 35,000sqm museum will take visitors on an immersive journey through 13.8bn years of natural history, from the Big Bang and the formation of the solar system to the rise and fall of the dinosaurs and the extraordinary biodiversity of today’s world.
Among its most remarkable exhibits are three “travellers from deep time.”
The first is Stan, a nearly complete skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex, which ruled the Earth some 67m years ago. It will be joined by a 25m female blue whale — the largest animal ever known — and the Murchison Meteorite, which contains 7bn-year-old grains formed before the Solar System itself.
His Excellency 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.”
He added that the museum’s research and education programmes will support scientific studies in zoology, palaeontology, marine biology, molecular research and earth sciences, fostering engagement with the natural sciences to inspire future generations and advance sustainability.
Arabia’s natural history
The museum will spotlight the natural history of the Arabian Peninsula, including the discovery of the Stegotetrabelodon emiratus, an extinct species of elephant found in Abu Dhabi.
This ancient member of the Elephantidae family had tusks on both its upper and lower jaws — a rare trait unseen in modern elephants — offering visitors a glimpse into the evolutionary journey of these creatures and the region’s deep natural heritage.
Designed by acclaimed architects Mecanoo, the museum’s structure rises organically from the Saadiyat Island landscape, echoing the natural rock formations of the desert.
The building reflects the museum’s mission to connect people with the natural world and inspire the next generation to question, discover and help shape a sustainable future.
Inside, visitors will explore a series of permanent galleries, including The Story of Earth, The Evolving World, Our World, Resilient Planet and Earth’s Future.
Additional side galleries such as The PalaeoLab, The Life Sciences Lab, Arabia’s Climate and The Human Story deepen the experience. An Interactive Theatre will offer immersive visual journeys through time.
Global exhibitions at launch
To mark its opening, two major international exhibitions will debut:
- The March of the triceratops, showcasing the world’s only touring triceratops herd
- The 61st Wildlife Photographer of the Year, one of the world’s most prestigious showcases of nature photography
Together, these exhibitions will launch the museum’s international programme and pave the way for new forms of scientific and cultural collaboration.
Saadiyat Cultural District
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi joins a distinguished community that includes Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the forthcoming Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Collectively, these institutions position Saadiyat Cultural District as a global hub for knowledge, creativity and cultural exchange — a place where the past, present and future of humanity converge.
What happens next
When it opens on 22 November 2025, the museum will welcome visitors to explore the wonders of life on Earth and beyond — from 7-billion-year-old meteorites to creatures that once ruled the planet’s oceans and skies.
Its arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter in the UAE’s cultural and scientific story, placing Abu Dhabi firmly on the world map of natural history research and education.
