Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum offers a journey through time

Spanning 35,000 square metres, it became the largest museum of its kind in the region

Last updated:
Devadasan K P, Chief Visual Editor and Afra Alnofeli, Visual Journalist
The Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum offered visitors a breathtaking journey through billions of years of Earth’s history, bringing together rare fossils, meteorites and lifelike wildlife displays under one roof.
The Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum offered visitors a breathtaking journey through billions of years of Earth’s history, bringing together rare fossils, meteorites and lifelike wildlife displays under one roof.
Afra Alnofeli/Gulf News
1/12
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi officially opened to the public on November 22, 2025, in the Saadiyat Cultural District. Spanning 35,000 square metres, it became the largest museum of its kind in the region, featuring iconic exhibits such as the Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ‘Stan’ and the Murchison meteorite.
Afra Alnofeli/Gulf News
2/12
Dinosaur skeletons from the Cretaceous Period on display at Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum, showcasing life from 145 to 66 million years ago.
Afra Alnofeli/Gulf News
3/12
Strelley Pool Stromatolite on display at the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum, showcasing one of the oldest known records of life on Earth.
Afra Alnofeli/Gulf News
4/12
From towering dinosaur skeletons of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods to ancient marine fossils discovered in the UAE, the museum guided guests through the dramatic story of life on Earth.
5/12
Eurypterid and Carboniferous plant fossils on display at the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum, offering a glimpse into ancient life hundreds of millions of years ago.
Afra Alnofeli/Gulf News
6/12
Quartz (silicate mineral) from Brazil on display at the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum, showcasing its striking crystalline formation.
Afra Alnofeli/Gulf News
7/12
Ballooning spider (Xysticus cristatus) specimen on display at the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum, highlighting the fascinating dispersal method used by young spiders.
Afra Alnofeli/Gulf News
8/12
Taxidermy display of the Arabian wolf (Canis lupus arabs)
Afra Alnofeli/Gulf News
9/12
Fossil jaw of Archaeopotamus qeshta discovered in Shuwaihat, Abu Dhabi, on display at the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum.
Afra Alnofeli/Gulf News
10/12
Dinosaur skeletons from the Jurassic Period on display at the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum, recreating a dramatic prehistoric encounter.
Afra Alnofeli/Gulf News
11/12
The gallery also featured the Brenham pallasite meteorite, a rare space rock formed in the early solar system, highlighting the museum’s exploration of cosmic origins. Geological treasures such as Brazilian quartz and native sulphur with aragonite from Italy showcased the planet’s extraordinary mineral diversity.
Afra Alnofeli/Gulf News
12/12
Taxidermy display of a polar bear (Ursus maritimus).
Afra Alnofeli/Gulf News

Get Updates on Topics You Choose

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Up Next