Hotels near Museum of the Future

Opened in 2022, the Museum of the Future is a torus-shaped building clad in stainless steel and covered in Arabic calligraphy that doubles as windows. The structure alone - with no supporting pillars and a 77-metre-high void in the centre - earned it recognition as one of the world's most beautiful buildings. Inside, seven floors of immersive exhibitions imagine life in 2071 (the UAE's centenary year), covering space colonisation, bio-engineering, and environmental restoration.

The exhibitions are experience-driven rather than artefact-based. You take a simulated space elevator ride, walk through a generated rainforest ecosystem, and interact with AI-powered installations. General admission is 149 AED (EUR 37) for adults, and a visit takes roughly two hours. The rooftop terrace offers a close-up of the calligraphy facade and views along Sheikh Zayed Road.

Pro Tip: Book the first entry slot of the day (10am) online. Timed entry means the museum never gets crushingly crowded, but the earliest slot gives you the most breathing room. Photograph the exterior at night when the calligraphy glows white against the dark steel.