Highlights
Zayed National Museum tickets offer access to the UAE’s national museum in the Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi, where visitors can explore the country’s history, culture, and heritage spanning 300,000 years. Explore a collection of around 3,000 artefacts, with more than 1,500 objects currently on display across the museum
The museum features six permanent galleries, a temporary exhibition space, and an outdoor gallery, with exhibits exploring everything from ancient archaeological discoveries to the legacy of Sheikh Zayed.
Availablity
Included in the TimeZayed National Museum Timings & Opening Hours
Zayed National Museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Entry is by timed slot, with last entry one hour before closing. Hours can change during Ramadan and public holidays, so check before you go.
What Is Zayed National Museum?
The official museum describes itself as the national museum of the UAE, located in Saadiyat Cultural District and telling the story of the UAE from ancient history to the modern nation, including the legacy of Sheikh Zayed. The collection features 300,000-year-old Paleolithic tools, Bronze Age treasures, and Sheikh Zayed's personal items including his 1966 Chrysler Newport—making it a uniquely Emirati cultural experience unlike any international museum.
Architectural Marvel by Foster + Partners
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster, the museum seamlessly blends traditional Emirati building principles with cutting-edge sustainability. The five distinctive steel towers function as thermal chimneys, naturally cooling the building while symbolizing the falcon—the UAE's national bird and tribute to Sheikh Zayed's passion for falconry and conservation.
Explore Six Permanent Galleries
Our Beginning – Celebrates Sheikh Zayed's transformative leadership, vision, and the founding principles that shaped the modern UAE.
Through Our Nature – Examines how diverse landscapes influenced civilization, featuring copper specimens and environmental artifacts spanning millennia.
To Our Ancestors – Showcases 300,000 years of human presence through Paleolithic tools and intricate 5,000-year-old Umm Al Nar tomb carvings.
Through Our Connections – Investigates the region's role as a crossroads of civilizations, displaying Islamic manuscripts and ancient trade evidence.
By Our Coasts – Celebrates maritime heritage through pearling equipment, traditional dhow models, and fishing implements from coastal communities.
To Our Roots – Honors inland desert, oasis, and mountain communities with Bedouin textiles, date cultivation tools, and agricultural traditions.
Al Masar Garden: An Outdoor Journey
Begin your museum experience along the stunning 600-meter Al Masar Garden, an outdoor gallery featuring native drought-tolerant plants that recreate desert, oasis, and urban landscapes. This curated pathway presents a visual timeline of Sheikh Zayed's life while showcasing a working 5,000-year-old falaj irrigation system—offering insight into ancient Arabian water management still relevant today.
Zayed National Museum Ticket Price
Zayed National Museum tickets currently cost AED 62 for standard adult admission, while children under 18 can enter free. Ticket options may include single-museum entry as well as combined passes for visitors planning to explore multiple museums in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District.
Your ticket covers the six permanent galleries and the temporary exhibition space. Al Masar Garden, the 600 m outdoor walk to the entrance, is also open to visit.
For another immersive cultural experience in Abu Dhabi, explore teamLab Phenomena tickets.
Zayed National Museum Accessibility Features
Zayed National Museum leads globally in inclusive design with pioneering Emirati Sign Language tours conducted by hearing-impaired specialists Bader and Shooq Almaskari—a first for national museums worldwide. Additional features include:
- Quiet Mornings for sensory-friendly experiences
- Dedicated Calm Room with sensory kits
- Accessible routes, seating, and facilities throughout
- Complimentary visual story guides and sensory maps
- Multilingual audio guides available
Dining & Amenities
Erth Restaurant – Fine dining showcasing Emirati cuisine (10:00 AM–10:00 PM)
Al Ghaf Café – Light refreshments and traditional beverages (9:00 AM–8:00 PM)
Garden Cafés – Outdoor refreshment options within Al Masar Garden
Additional amenities include free WiFi throughout the museum, secure cloakroom services for bags and luggage, and complimentary visual story resources.
Zayed National Museum Tickets Inclusions
- All six permanent galleries across two floors
- Temporary exhibition spaces featuring rotating displays
- Complete access to Al Masar Garden outdoor gallery
- Interactive learning and public engagement areas
- Multimedia displays and digital storytelling installations
- Daily cultural performances and heritage demonstrations
- Complimentary visual guides and sensory maps
- Free WiFi connectivity throughout
Important Information
- Age Policy: Open to all ages; children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
- Dress Code: Clothing should cover shoulders and knees, respecting UAE cultural norms
- Cloakroom: Storage available for bags, luggage, and personal items
Book Zayed National Museum Tickets with Travellers Choice
Book your Zayed National Museum tickets online with Travellers Choice, a licensed travel agency in Dubai (License No. 671267) serving visitors across the UAE. Choose your date and time slot in advance and keep your confirmation on your phone.
Make a day of it with other Saadiyat Cultural District attractions:
- Louvre Abu Dhabi tickets: art and artefacts from ancient to contemporary times, nearby.
- Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi tickets: family-friendly exhibits on the story of Earth, in the same district.
- Planning more days in the capital? Browse Abu Dhabi attractions and tickets.
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