Residents and tourists can enjoy free entry to Abu Dhabi’s top museums and heritage attractions from May 16 to 18 in celebration of International Museum Day.
The initiative gives visitors complimentary access to several cultural landmarks across the emirate, including major attractions inside the Saadiyat Cultural District on Saadiyat Island.
International Museum Day highlights the importance of museums in preserving heritage, promoting cultural exchange and connecting communities through art, history and storytelling.
Zayed National Museum
The Zayed National Museum continues to attract global attention less than six months after opening. TIME Magazine included the museum in its 100 World’s Greatest Places 2026 list, while Prix Versailles recognised it as one of the world’s seven most beautiful museums.
Designed by Norman Foster and Foster + Partners, the museum features six permanent galleries, a temporary exhibition hall and Al Masar Garden.
Visitors can explore more than 300,000 years of UAE history and discover exhibits that celebrate the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Key attractions include the Magan Boat reconstruction project and the Abu Dhabi Pearl, one of the world’s oldest natural pearls.
Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi takes visitors on a journey through 13.8 billion years of history, from the birth of the universe to the evolution of life on Earth.
The museum presents its collections through an Arabian perspective and showcases major exhibits such as Stan the T. rex, one of the largest Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons ever discovered, and the famous Murchison Meteorite.
Visitors can also enjoy temporary exhibitions including March of the Triceratops and the 61st Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Known as the first universal museum in the Arab world, the Louvre Abu Dhabi displays artworks spanning more than 10,000 years of civilisation.
The museum also stands out for its iconic dome, which creates the famous “rain of light” effect.
Current exhibitions include Picasso, the Figure, running until the end of May. The exhibition explores Pablo Picasso’s fascination with the human form through more than 130 artworks displayed alongside pieces by Arab modernist artists.
Al Ain Museum
Al Ain Museum opened in 1969 and became the UAE’s first museum.
Founded by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the museum sits inside the UNESCO-listed Al Ain Oasis.
The museum documents the region’s history from around 300,000 years ago to modern times through archaeological discoveries and historical artefacts.
Visitors can also explore nearby landmarks including Al Jahili Fort.
Qasr Al Hosn
Qasr Al Hosn features Abu Dhabi’s oldest stone structure, originally built in the 1760s as a watchtower protecting a freshwater source.
The site later expanded into a fort and royal residence for the ruling family before reopening as a museum in 2018 after extensive restoration work.
Today, visitors can explore artefacts and archives dating back to 6000 BC.
Al Maqta’a Museum
The restored Al Maqta’a Museum reopened last year following major conservation work.
The museum displays vintage police vehicles, historical uniforms and archival collections, while the nearby Al Maqta’a Tower remains one of Abu Dhabi’s earliest defensive landmarks.
Delma Museum
Located on Delma Island in the Al Dhafra Region, the Delma Museum occupies a former pearl merchant’s home dating back to the early 20th century.
The island first welcomed settlers nearly 7,000 years ago and remains famous for its archaeological importance and preserved historic buildings.
Visitors can reach the island by ferry, making it one of Abu Dhabi’s most unique cultural destinations.
