On December 11, 2026, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will open its doors — a major new cultural institution on Saadiyat Island. The building was designed by Frank Gehry, a laureate of the Pritzker Prize, one of the most prestigious honours in architecture. The complex consists of ten sculptural cones rising up to 88 metres, which create shade and provide natural ventilation. Inside, arranged around a central atrium, will be 30 galleries covering a total of 11.6 thousand square metres. A further 23 thousand square metres will be given over to open-air exhibition spaces. The museum will be devoted to contemporary art: painting, sculpture, photography and installations.
The opening of the Guggenheim is part of a large programme for the development of the emirate. Plans also include a Disney resort and the Sphere entertainment complex. In addition, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi will expand its offer with a theme project dedicated to the world of Harry Potter.
The emirate's authorities are also seeking to make travel easier for visitors. This summer, the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism held meetings with representatives of the tourism industry in three Indian cities. From July 15, the airline Air India launched a direct flight from Navi Mumbai to Abu Dhabi. In addition, from August to October 2026, the emirate is running a programme under which the authorities cover entry visas for Indian citizens who purchase a package tour.
In 2025, Abu Dhabi welcomed 26.6 million visitors, and hotel revenues grew by 19.5% compared with the previous year. The emirate's cultural institutions received 8.6 million visitors.
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