Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

The Saadiyat Cultural District is a premier arts and culture destination with world-class museums, educational institutions, and cultural initiatives that nurture talent and celebrate the achievements of local, regional, and international creatives. It features several museums, galleries, and performance spaces in one compact area.

Highlights for visitors include The Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Abrahamic Family House, and the Manarat Al Saadiyat art gallery. 

In the future, Saadiyat Cultural District will also be home to the Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. In April 2025, an exciting new venue teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi opens, where art and creativity meet science and technology. Read on for more details on many of these attractions. 

Nearby is the Mamsha Al Saadiyat, a beachfront promenade, that provides multiple dining options for day and night so you can refuel between galleries and museums. With cafes through to fine dining restaurants, you can pick up coffees and smoothies, sit down for a Caribbean or sushi lunch, or dine well into the evening on gourmet French or Italian cuisine, to name but a few.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Cultural District

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is the finest art museum in the region. It showcases human creativity from ancient civilizations through to the modern day. There are art and artifacts from all over the world and closer to home, including pieces from the great age of the Silk Road. See the Great Masters on display, such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh, plus works on loan from The Louvre in Paris and many others. 

Since its opening in 2017, the building has been one of the UAE’s architectural highlights. The building straddles both water and land and uses reflections to create a spectacular play of light that makes it seem like it’s floating. 

There’s also a children’s museum on site, a restaurant, and a rooftop art lounge with incredible views of the Abu Dhabi skyline.

The Abrahanic Family House, Saadiyat Cultural District

The Abrahamic Family House brings together three separate houses of worship in one connected space. The Eminence Ahmed El Tayeb Mosque, St. Francis Church Abu Dhabi, and Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue are all housed here. 

In bringing these houses of worship together, the Abrahamic Family House has become a centre for dialogue and knowledge exchange, rooted in the UAE’s values of bringing cultures together. The Abrahamic Family House welcomes visitors, both on guided tours and to worship, to experience this unique space.  Check the website for up-to-date opening hours, worship times, and details of special events.

TeamLab Phenomena, Saadiyat Cultural District

TeamLab Phenomena is Abu Dhabi’s latest cultural attraction. Opened on April 18, 2025, it is all set to propel the Abu Dhabi art world into the future with a multi-sensory immersive experience that combines sight, sound, and touch within huge 3D artworks. TeamLab Phenomena promises to expand the way you feel, communicate, and interact with the world around you.

Manarat Al Saadiyat Art Gallery, Saadiyat Cultural District

Manarat Al Saadiyat is a cultural hub that combines a gallery with creative spaces like photography and art studios. The gallery delivers art education and drop-in sessions.

For visitors to Abu Dhabi, the space offers guided tours. These are an opportunity to learn about the exhibitions and cater to various audiences, including children and adults. The tours are designed to get everyone involved while learning valuable insights about art in the UAE.

Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, Saadiyat Cultural District

Bassam Freiha Art Foundation (BFAF) was established by philanthropist and Orientalist art collector HE Bassam Said Freiha. The foundation hosts exhibitions featuring works from his collection alongside diverse works of regional and international significance.

BFAF is free and open for everyone, The centre aims to nurture new artistic talent, inspire creative discussion, and promote public interest in the arts with year-round diverse and inclusive programming. Check their website for details of upcoming exhibitions and events. 

Check out this detailed itinerary to plan your cultural trip to Saadiyat Island.

Cultural Attractions in Wider Abu Dhabi

For an interesting glimpse into Abu Dhabi history, don’t miss these two places.

Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi

Qasr Al Watan is a striking Royal palace of enormous cultural significance and one of the leading historic places in Abu Dhabi. As a visitor, you can enjoy an enriching interactive journey that takes you into the heart of UAE governance. Explore the region’s rich heritage and witness the extraordinary craftsmanship that built this majestic building.

Highlights include The Great Hall, the House of Knowledge, and the Qasr Al Watan library. Don’t miss the daily light show, Palace in Motion, that illuminates the palace, one of the most iconic historical landmarks in the UAE, each evening. The palace regularly hosts other interesting events, including those highlighting military music and falconry.

Al Ain Oasis, Abu Dhabi

Al Ain Oasis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site out in the desert and is among the best of Abu Dhabi’s historical places, just around a 90-minute drive from Abu Dhabi. This glorious oasis is home to nearly 150,000 date palms and the falaj, an ancient irrigation system that is integral to the UAE’s heritage. 

The site is peaceful, shady and a wonderful place to reconnect with nature. The freedom to roam makes it one of the best historical sites in the UAE for kids.

Further Afield: Historical Places in the UAE

Why not set off on a journey to explore more UAE history?

Sharjah Museum of Ancient Civilisation, Sharjah

The Sharjah Museum of Ancient Civilisation is home to thousands of rare Islamic artifacts from across the region. Within the spectacular building, one floor covers the achievements of Arabian scientists and astronomers. The second is dedicated to celebrating Islamic arts and crafts.

The journey to Sharjah from Abu Dhabi is just over one and a half hours.

Hatta Heritage Village, Dubai

Explore one of the most historical places in Dubai, Hatta Village, outside the city and in the vicinity of the Hajar Mountains. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the past when farming was the lifeblood of this part of the UAE. Many of the village’s farms are still operational today. 

The journey from Abu Dhabi takes around 2.5 hours. Take a hike up the mountains to get exceptional views of the village and surrounding area.

See the Best Cultural and Heritage Sites in the UAE

Have fun exploring the Saadiyat Cultural District and the other treasures that the UAE can offer.  

Which of these cultural and historical places in the UAE will you choose to visit first?