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Museums of the UAE: from the first museum in Al Ain to the Louvre and the Museum of the Future

4-minute read · Official sources ·

Visitors under the dome of Louvre Abu Dhabi
Under the dome of Louvre Abu Dhabi. Photo: CC0 — Wikimedia Commons: Visitors_at_Louvre_Abu_Dhabi.jpg

The UAE has museums that tell the story of the past inside forts hundreds of years old, and modern museums that have become national landmarks. Here are the main ones.

Al Ain Museum: where it began

Al Ain Museum was founded in 1969 under the guidance of Sheikh Zayed and is the first museum in the country. It was officially opened on 2 November 1971 and reopened after redevelopment on 24 October 2025.[1][2]

Saadiyat: Abu Dhabi's museum district

On Saadiyat Island stands Louvre Abu Dhabi, designed by the architect Jean Nouvel; the «rain of light» effect under its dome was inspired by palm fronds.[3]

In the same cultural district, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi opened on 22 November 2025, followed by Zayed National Museum on 3 December 2025. One of the Natural History Museum's best-known exhibits is the skeleton of a T. rex named «Stan».[4][5][6]

The Museum of the Future in Dubai

The Museum of the Future in Dubai opened in 2022 and stands 77 metres tall.[7]

Museums in old houses and forts

[8][9][10][11][12]

Test yourself

Three questions from the article. Answer, then tap «Show the answer».

  1. What was the first museum in the UAE?

    • ADubai Museum
    • BAl Ain Museum
    • CLouvre Abu Dhabi
    • DSharjah Museum
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: B) Al Ain Museum

  2. Which architect designed Louvre Abu Dhabi?

    • AZaha Hadid
    • BJean Nouvel
    • CNorman Foster
    • DFrank Gehry
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: B) Jean Nouvel

  3. How tall is the Museum of the Future in Dubai?

    • A50 metres
    • B77 metres
    • C120 metres
    • D30 metres
    Show the answer

    Correct answer: B) 77 metres

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Sources
  1. Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi: Al Ain Museum
  2. Abu Dhabi Media Office: Al Ain Museum reopens on 24 October
  3. Louvre Abu Dhabi: Architecture
  4. Abu Dhabi Media Office: Natural History Museum
  5. Abu Dhabi Media Office: Zayed National Museum
  6. UAE Government Portal: Arab and Islamic heritage
  7. Government of Dubai Media Office: Museum of the Future opens
  8. Government of Dubai Media Office: Dubai Museum and Al Fahidi Fort
  9. UAE Government Portal: Ajman
  10. UAE Government Portal: Explore the UAE
  11. Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi: Qasr Al Hosn
  12. Sharjah Museums Authority: Bait Sheikh Saeed bin Hamad Al Qasimi