Residents and tourists will be able to visit some of Abu Dhabi’s leading museums and heritage attractions for free from May 16 to 18 as part of celebrations for International Museum Day.
The initiative includes complimentary access to several cultural institutions and historical sites across the emirate, including major attractions within the Saadiyat Cultural District on Saadiyat Island.
International Museum Day is observed globally every May 18 to highlight the role museums play in preserving heritage, promoting cultural exchange, and connecting communities through art and history.
Among the participating sites is the Zayed National Museum, which recently earned recognition from TIME Magazine’s list of the World’s Greatest Places for 2026.
Designed by British architect Lord Norman Foster, the museum showcases more than 300,000 years of UAE history and features exhibits including the reconstructed Magan Boat and the Abu Dhabi Pearl.
Visitors will also gain free access to the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, which features exhibits tracing the history of the universe and life on Earth, including “Stan,” one of the world’s most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons.
Louvre Abu Dhabi, known as the first universal museum in the Arab world, is also part of the initiative. The museum is currently hosting the exhibition “Picasso, the Figure,” featuring more than 130 works exploring Pablo Picasso’s fascination with the human form.
Other participating attractions include Al Ain Museum, the UAE’s oldest museum; Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi’s oldest stone structure; Al Maqta’a Museum; and Delma Museum in the Al Dhafra Region.
Authorities said the initiative aims to encourage more residents and visitors to explore the UAE’s growing cultural and heritage destinations.
The free-entry program comes as Abu Dhabi continues expanding its position as a regional cultural hub through new museums, exhibitions, and tourism projects.
