Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi opens this weekend in the Saadiyat Cultural District

If you love a good museum day in Abu Dhabi, there is something very big arriving this November. The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi opens on 22 November in Saadiyat Cultural District, bringing 13.8 billion years of life on Earth to one place.

It is set to be the largest natural history museum in the region and it will take visitors on a journey from the beginning of the universe to the incredible biodiversity we see today.

This one is designed to be the kind of museum you can spend hours in without even realising. It covers everything from the Big Bang and the formation of our solar system to the rise and fall of dinosaurs and the ever-changing story of life on our planet.

You'll also find a strong regional focus woven through the galleries. The natural history of the Arabian Peninsula plays a central role, with discoveries that highlight how much this part of the world has contributed to Earth’s bigger picture.

A few star attractions are already getting attention. Stan, one of the most famous Tyrannosaurus rex fossils in the world, will finally have a home in Abu Dhabi, giving visitors a chance to stand in front of a near-complete T rex skeleton. Alongside Stan is a 25 metre female blue whale specimen, representing the largest animal ever known. The collection also includes the Murchison Meteorite, which carries tiny grains that existed long before our solar system was even formed.

There is a great local story too. One of the most fascinating regional discoveries on display is Stegotetrabelodon emiratus, an extinct ancestor of the modern elephant that once roamed Abu Dhabi. It had tusks in both its upper and lower jaws, a rare feature that gives a surprising insight into the evolution of these animals and the landscape they lived in.

The museum itself is worth the visit for the architecture alone. Designed by Mecanoo, the building rises out of the Saadiyat landscape like a natural formation. Inside, the space opens into a series of galleries including The Story of Earth, The Evolving World, Our World, Resilient Planet and Earth’s Future. You can also step into labs like the PalaeoLab or the Life Sciences Lab to get closer to ongoing research, or explore the Interactive Theatre for immersive visual experiences.

To mark the opening, two international exhibitions will run. The March of the Triceratops will bring the world’s only touring Triceratops herd to Abu Dhabi, and the 61st Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will showcase some of the most striking nature photography from around the globe. Both exhibitions signal the museum’s plans to become a major player in international scientific and cultural exchange.

The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi joins an impressive line-up on Saadiyat Cultural District, alongside Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. It adds another layer to a district that continues to position Abu Dhabi as a global centre for creativity, learning and cultural exploration.

Ticket prices and opening hours

If you are already planning your first visit, the museum has now confirmed its opening hours and pricing.

Open daily from 10am to 6.30pm on weekdays, with extended hours until 8.30pm on weekends.

Ticket options:

• AED 70 for adults

• AED 45.5 for Fazaa and Esaad card holders

• AED 32.5 for UAE university students aged 18 and above with valid ID

• AED 32.5 for UAE employed teachers with valid ID

• AED 32.5 for UAE Military and Homat Al Watan

• Complimentary entry for children under 18

• Complimentary entry for People of Determination and companions

• Complimentary entry for UAE based seniors aged 60 and above

• Complimentary entry for journalists on assignment and ICOM or ICOMOS members

Tickets can be purchased online at nhmad.ae or at the museum once it opens.