Abu Dhabi’s Zayed National Museum has been named one of the World’s Most Beautiful Museums for 2026 by Prix Versailles, making it the only museum from the Middle East to earn a spot on this year’s global list. Presented annually at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the award recognises museums that combine outstanding architecture with cultural impact, innovation and sustainability.
The recognition further strengthens Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision, as Saadiyat Island continues to grow into a major regional hub for art and heritage. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the museum is distinguished by five soaring steel towers inspired by the wings of a falcon in flight, honouring the UAE’s falconry heritage.
The 123-metre towers are not only symbolic but also act as thermal chimneys, helping cool the museum naturally as part of its sustainable design. Spanning more than 56,000 square metres, the museum will showcase over 300,000 years of UAE history through six permanent galleries, while also celebrating the legacy and vision of the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Outside, Al Masar Garden features native plants and falaj-inspired irrigation systems reflecting the region’s environmental heritage.
