Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi is on the list the most beautiful museums in the world 2026, having received international recognition for its architecture and sustainable engineering solutions.

Falcon-inspired architecture

The museum building was designed by British architect Norman Foster (Foster + Partners) and immediately stands out due to its design:

• five towers up to 123 meters
• a shape that resembles a falcon's wings in flight
• a reference to the traditions of falconry in the UAE

At the same time, towers perform not only a decorative function — they work as natural cooling system, regulating the flow of air inside the building.

What will be inside the museum

The total area of the complex exceeds 56,000 square meters.

The museum will house:

• 6 permanent galleries
• exhibitions covering more than 300,000 years of regional history
• archaeological findings and key stages in the formation of the UAE

A separate part of the museum will be dedicated to the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his role in creating the country.

The space around the museum

Al Masar Garden is being created near the museum:

• landscaping using native plants
• irrigation systems inspired by traditional falajas
• a combination of landscape design and historical elements

International recognition

The list of the most beautiful museums also includes projects from:

• of China
• Japan
• USA
• of Uzbekistan
• Lithuania

Some of them will later receive additional Prix Versailles awards for architecture and design.

Saadiyat Cultural Center

The museum will be part Saadiyat Cultural District — districts that already have:

• Louvre Abu Dhabi
• future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi

The result

The Zayed National Museum is not just a museum, but an architectural and cultural project that combines history, modern design and sustainable technologies.