Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi to open November 22 — a 13.8-billion-year journey through life on Earth

Dinosaurs, meteorites, and the world’s largest blue whale skeleton are about to find a new home in the UAE. On November 22, 2025, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will open its doors in the Saadiyat Cultural District, offering visitors an extraordinary journey through 13.8 billion years of Earth’s history.

Spanning 35,000 square meters, it will be the largest museum of its kind in the region, combining science, nature, and culture in one world-class destination.

A journey through time — from the Big Bang to modern biodiversity

The museum invites visitors to travel through time — from the birth of the universe and the formation of the solar system, to the age of dinosaurs and today’s diverse ecosystems.

Its most iconic exhibits include three “travellers from deep time”:

✔ Stan, the nearly complete skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex, 67 million years old
✔ A 25-meter female blue whale, the largest animal ever known
✔ The Murchison Meteorite, containing 7-billion-year-old stardust formed before our solar system existed

Arabia’s natural legacy

A special section will showcase the natural history of the Arabian Peninsula, including the discovery of the Stegotetrabelodon emiratus — an extinct species of elephant found in Abu Dhabi with tusks on both the upper and lower jaws.
This rare fossil reveals the region’s deep evolutionary past and highlights its global scientific significance.

Designed to inspire

Created by renowned architectural firm Mecanoo, the museum’s design rises organically from the Saadiyat Island landscape, resembling desert rock formations.
Inside, visitors will explore themed galleries such as The Story of Earth, Our World, Resilient Planet, and Earth’s Future, along with interactive labs and a theatre for immersive time-travel experiences.

Global exhibitions at launch

The grand opening will feature two major international showcases:

✔ “The March of the Triceratops” — the world’s only touring triceratops herd
✔ “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” (61st edition) — the planet’s most prestigious nature photography exhibition

These exhibitions will mark the start of the museum’s global cultural and scientific collaborations.

Part of Saadiyat Cultural District

The museum joins Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena, the upcoming Zayed National Museum, and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, further establishing Saadiyat Cultural District as a world hub for knowledge, creativity, and discovery.

A new chapter for Abu Dhabi and the UAE

When it opens this November, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will not only celebrate the wonders of our planet but also position the UAE as a global center for natural sciences, research, and education.

For investors and residents alike, Saadiyat Island continues to evolve as Abu Dhabi’s most prestigious cultural and lifestyle destination.
Contact SPI Dubai to explore exclusive property opportunities near this landmark — where art, nature, and innovation meet.

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