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Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi to Open This November
Abu Dhabi’s brand new Natural History Museum opens on 22 November 2025. It’s huge, immersive, and tells the story of Earth, from the Big Bang to humans, with some jaw-dropping exhibits.
A New Chapter for Natural History in Abu Dhabi
If you're curious about life on Earth, its origins, evolution, and where we might be headed, you’re going to want to visit this. Abu Dhabi is about to unveil a bold new destination: the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, opening 22 November 2025 in the Saadiyat Cultural District.
Massive scale, ambitious vision
Spanning 35,000 sq m, this will be the largest museum of its kind in the region. From cosmic beginnings to future possibilities, its galleries are designed to take you on a journey through 13.8 billion years of natural history.
The building itself is by Dutch architects Mecanoo, and its design draws inspiration from natural rock formations.
What you’ll see inside
The museum’s permanent galleries include:
- The Story of Earth: how our planet came to be
- The Evolving World: life through the ages, including dinosaurs
- Our World: biodiversity, ecosystems, and current life
- Resilient Planet: how life copes with change like climate and environment
- Earth’s Future: what might happen next
Some of the standout exhibits include:
- Stan, one of the most complete T. rex skeletons on display
- A 25-meter-long blue whale skeleton that showcases the scale of life in the oceans
- The Murchison Meteorite, with grains that predate Earth by billions of years
There’s also a strong focus on the Arabian Peninsula’s own natural history, such as an extinct elephant species with tusks both above and below its jawbones, called Stegotetrabelodon emiratus.
Temporary Exhibitions & Special Features
To mark its opening, the museum will host two temporary international exhibitions:
- The March of the Triceratops, the only touring herd of Triceratops fossils
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year (61st edition), showcasing global nature photography
Visitors can also look forward to interactive labs, theatres, and immersive experiences built into the museum.
What it means for Saadiyat & Culture in Abu Dhabi
Located alongside other cultural landmarks like the Louvre Abu Dhabi and teamLab Phenomena, this museum strengthens Saadiyat Island’s position as a hub for art, science, and culture.
It’s not just a landmark, it’s a statement. Abu Dhabi is investing in culture that blends science, creativity, and discovery.
Practical Bits
- Opening date: 22 November 2025
- Location: Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi
