Zayed National Museum listed as one of 'world's most beautiful'

Zayed National Museum has been listed as one of the World's Most Beautiful Museums 2026 by Prix Versailles.

The museum has been recognised as one of only seven institutions globally, and the only one from the region, highlighting its architectural excellence, commitment to sustainability, innovative design and contribution to cultural landscapes.

Prix Versailles is an international architecture and design award presented annually at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

Zayed National Museum tells the story of the land and its people and honours the legacy and values of UAE's Founding Father late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his commitment to the preservation of the Emirati identity.

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the museum sits at the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District.

Spanning more than 56,000 square metres, the museum is defined by five steel towers inspired by the wing of a falcon in flight, a direct reference to the Emirati tradition of falconry. Rising to 123 metres, it is the tallest structure in the district. Incorporating advanced environmental systems, the towers function as thermal chimneys to naturally regulate airflow, while the textured surface of the building’s mound represents the topography of the UAE and also functions to insulate the building from solar gain.

Surrounding the museum, Al Masar Garden features native plant species and traditional falaj irrigation. Inside, six permanent galleries trace more than 300,000 years of human history on this land, from early archaeological evidence to the formation of the UAE.

The World's Most Beautiful Museums category was introduced in 2024

2026 honourees

• The Science and Technology Museum in Shenzhen, China
• Xuelei Fragrance Museum in Guangzhou, China
• MoN Takanawa in Tokyo, Japan
• Lost Shteti Museum in Šeduva, Lithuania
• National Medal of Honour Museum in Arlington, United States
• Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Of the seven museums selected for the 2026 World’s Most Beautiful Museums List, three will receive the further distinction of a World Title, Interior and Exterior from Prix Versailles.