Museum of the Future

The Museum of the Future is the torus-shaped building on Sheikh Zayed Road that looks like an eye and is covered in Arabic calligraphy. The building alone, designed by Killa Design and opened in 2022, is one of the most striking pieces of architecture built this century. The facade has no straight lines and the Arabic script carved into it is not decorative but functional, serving as windows that let light into the interior.

Inside, the experience is part museum, part immersive theatre. You take an elevator to the top floor (set in space, on a space station orbiting Earth in 2071) and work your way down through themed floors exploring future scenarios: a rainforest DNA library, a wellness floor focused on the senses, a floor about AI and technology, and a creative floor for children. The production values are extraordinary. Every room is a designed experience with sound, lighting, scent, and interactive elements.

Is it a museum in the traditional sense? Not really. There are no permanent collections or artefacts. It is more of an immersive experience about possible futures, designed to be cinematic rather than educational. Whether that appeals to you depends on what you expect from the word 'museum.' If you want to be impressed by design and production quality, this delivers. If you want to learn facts about the future, you might leave wanting more substance.

AED 149 entry. Book online in advance, timed slots sell out. Allow 2-3 hours. Photography is allowed in most areas. The gift shop is better than average. The building is stunning from the outside at night when the calligraphy is backlit.