Abu Dhabi, the political capital of the United Arab Emirates, holds the seat of power in the country. However, this is not the only thing that the emirate is known for. In fact, Abu Dhabi is a popular tourist destination known for its natural, cultural, and entertainment avenues. When it comes to cultural attractions of Abu Dhabi, museums are at the forefront. The museums of Abu Dhabi not only give you a glimpse of the history and culture of Dubai but also celebrate art, both local and global. Some of these museums are usually included in Abu Dhabi tour packages. With this note, let us take a look at the best museums of Abu Dhabi.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
It is truly fitting to begin this list with the most prestigious museum in Abu Dhabi, the Louvre. The first universal art museum in the Arab world, Louvre Abu Dhabi would give you a feel of the greatness and magnificence of its French counterpart. The structure of the Louvre Abu Dhabi is in itself iconic. Located right on the Arabian waters, the building of the museum is highlighted by a large, silver dome made with different geometric patterns. The interiors are equally astonishing. Spread around an area of 9200 square meters, the museum is home to more than 700 art pieces from pre-historic times to the modest ones. Many of the collections here are a loan from the renowned museums of France, including Louvre Paris, Centre Pompidou, and Musee d’Orsay.
Location: Saadiyat Island
Timings: 10 AM to 6.30 PM (Tuesday to Thursday) and 10 AM to 8.30 PM (Friday to Sunday) (Closed on Monday)
Entry Fee: AED 63
Qasr Al Hosn
Qasr Al Hosn is not just a museum. In fact, it is structure of great historical importance. A stone structure, Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest building in Abu Dhabi, dating back to the 18th century. Once the home of the ruling family of the emirate, Qasr Al Hosn was transformed into a museum in 2018. Before stepping into the museum and checking out its exhibits, you must walk around the inner fort and outer palace to admire the architecture of the place. And there are the exhibits, which will give you a peak into the past of the area. Here, you will find artefacts and archived materials dating back to 6000 years. Qasr Al Hosn is one of the best places to go to if you want to experience the UAE before it became the ultra-modern country it is today.
Location: Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street
Timings: 9 AM to 8 PM (Saturday to Thursday) and 2 PM to 8 PM (Friday)
Entry Fee: AED 30
Zayed National Museum
The latest museum to join the list of museums in Abu Dhabi is the Zayed National Museum. Opening in December 2025, this museum tells you all about the founding father of the UAE and its former ruler, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The museum tells you all about the Sheikh and things he did to bring the country to where it is today. Apart from this, the Zayed National Museum takes you on a tour of the history, culture, and heritage of the UAE. You will find six permanent galleries here, each with a theme, which include Our Beginning, Through Our Nature, To Our Ancestors, Through Our Connections, By Our Coasts, and To Our Roots. A visit to the Zayed National Museum is truly a lesson in the history of the land.
Location: Saadiyat Cultural District
Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM
Entry Fee: AED 70
Emirates Heritage Village
Emirates Heritage Village Abu Dhabi is an open-air museum that gives you the chance to glimpse into the desert life of Arabs. The place is a replica of how a desert village looked like, including its traditional Bedouin hut, a mosque, and even a souk. As you explore the place, you will get to see artisans showcasing their various skills like glassblowing, weaving, pottery, metalwork, and so much more. Apart from watching, the artisans may also invite you to try your hand at some of these skills. At the end of the tour, do check out the souk where you can buy herbs, spices, handicrafts, etc. The highlight is that there is no entry fee here, making it one of the free places to visit in Abu Dhabi.
Location: Marina Mall Island
Timings: 9 AM to 4 PM (Sunday to Thursday) and 7.30 AM to 12 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM (Friday)
Entry Fee: Free
Emirates National Auto Museum
The United Arab Emirates, especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi, are most popular for their fancy cars. If you are awed by the sight of these cars as you explore the emirates, a visit to the Emirates National Auto Museum is a must. One of the most unique Abu Dhabi museums, Emirates National Auto Museum is a private car collection of Sheikh Hamdan. It has over 200 automobiles. The star attraction here is the seven customized Mercedes Benz vehicles, each representing the colors of the rainbow. A gigantic Dodge Power Wagon (the largest truck in the world), the 21-feet Hummer H1, first-gen Porsche Boxster, etc., are some of the iconic cars you can see here. The Emirates Auto Museum has numerous prototypes, concept vehicles, and American classics as well. It is a truly a paradise for car lovers.
Location: Al Dhafrah
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM (Closed on Tuesday)
Entry Fee: AED 55
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi
There is no dearth of art museums in Abu Dhabi, but there is nothing usual about teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. Introduced by Japan’s teamLab (an art collective), this unique museum combines art, science, and nature along with technology to bring you artwork that you have never seen before. What makes it even more interesting is that these artworks are not just digital recordings. In fact, each artwork is unique as it emerges as a reaction to the visitors and the environment. Moreover, all the artworks are based on natural elements like air, water, light, etc. The names of some of the artworks include Biocosmos, Waves, Flutter of Butterflies, Autonomous Abstraction, Floating Microcosms, The Accumulation of Time, Waterfall of Light Particles, and more. If you love art and technology, visiting teamLab Phenomena is one of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi.
Location: Saadiyat Cultural District
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM
Entry Fee: AED 150
Abrahamic Family House
Although not exactly a museum, the Abrahamic Family House is a cultural attraction that you must visit in Abu Dhabi. This a complex that celebrates the importance of three different faiths in one place. It is home to three structures – a mosque, a church, and a synagogue – emphasizing on the idea of diversity of beliefs and faith. There are guided tours that will take you to each of the structures to know about the religions and the importance of coexistence. You also get to be a part of rituals integral to each of the religions here. The place also hosts conferences and talks conducted by scholars and thought leaders, who come together to share cross-cultural ideas, knowledge, and dialogues. If you are interested in such kind of discourse, a visit to the Abrahamic Family House would be a good idea.
Location: Saadiyat Cultural District
Timings: Each place of worship has different opening timings
Entry Fee: Depends on the tour you booked
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Featured Khalifa Park Museum and Aquarium
The Khalifa Park Museum and Aquarium is not usually found on the long list of tourist attractions of Abu Dhabi. But it is a one-of-kind museum, something you must definitely check out. This museum is tucked inside the large Khalifa Park, which is located close to the Grand Mosque. What makes this museum truly special is that instead of walking around checking the numerous exhibits, here you sit in a capsule/cabin that takes you on a ride through the history of the region. You will get to see and hear about the transformation of the UAE from desert-dwelling to pearl diving and fishing to the discovery of oil and how it became the modern country it is today. The aquarium, on the other hand, will give you a glimpse into the underwater world.
Location: Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM (Sunday to Wednesday) and 10 AM to 11 PM (Thursday to Saturday)
Entry Fee: AED 5
Conclusion
The best museums of Abu Dhabi have established the emirate as a great cultural center. Moreover, many of these museums are also a gateway to the history and culture of the UAE.
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