Abu Dhabi Guide

Set to welcome visitors in December, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated cultural openings of the year. Designed by Frank Gehry, the building is an extraordinary composition of sculptural forms, industrial materials and monumental cones, creating a striking silhouette against the Persian Gulf.

Inside, the museum will focus on modern and contemporary art from the 1960s onwards, with a particular emphasis on connecting artistic perspectives from West Asia, North Africa and South Asia with those from across the world. With its ambition to create a genuinely international conversation around contemporary art, we’re particularly excited to see how the institution develops its identity within the wider Guggenheim network. It feels like an important moment for Abu Dhabi, and one we’re looking forward to following closely.

Louvre Abu Dhabi remains one of the island’s most extraordinary destinations. Designed by Jean Nouvel, its vast geometric dome appears to float above a series of low-rise buildings, creating an intricate play of light and shadow known as the ‘rain of light’. Inspired by traditional Arab architecture, the building is as much an experience as the collection itself. Inside, the museum brings together works from different cultures and civilisations, exploring the connections that run throughout human history.

Designed by Foster + Partners, Zayed National Museum is a striking architectural tribute to the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Its five soaring steel structures, inspired by the wings of a falcon, rise dramatically above an artificial landscape, creating one of Saadiyat’s most recognisable silhouettes. Inside, the museum tells the story of the UAE, tracing its history, heritage and cultural identity while exploring the vision that shaped the nation.

The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi offers a different perspective on the story of our world. Designed by Dutch practice Mecanoo, the building takes inspiration from the natural landscape, with organic forms, landscaped spaces and a strong connection to its waterfront setting. Its exhibitions take visitors on a journey spanning 13.8 billion years, from the origins of the universe to the evolution of life on Earth. A fascinating counterpoint to the art and history institutions surrounding it.

For something a little different, teamLab Phenomena brings art, technology and architecture together in an entirely immersive experience. Developed by the internationally acclaimed Japanese art collective teamLab, alongside Abu Dhabi’s MZ Architects, the building itself is designed around the artworks it houses. Rather than presenting art as something static, the installations respond to their surroundings, evolving through light, movement and environmental conditions. An exciting example of how the boundaries between art, architecture and technology are becoming increasingly fluid.

A longstanding part of Saadiyat’s creative landscape, Manarat Al Saadiyat remains an important space for exhibitions, talks, workshops and cultural programming. More intimate than the island’s monumental museums, it offers a platform for emerging artists and creative voices, with a programme that often provides a closer look at the region’s contemporary art scene. Worth keeping an eye on for its changing exhibitions and events and that is where the fair will be held.