Abu Dhabi has not left its traditions and heritage behind in this modern era. The Emirate commemorates and remembers the sacrifices of its leaders. One such tribute has been given to the UAE’s beloved founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in the form of the Founder’s Memorial.
If you want to connect to history and learn more about the life and legacy of the UAE’s founder, this is the place to visit. Let’s have a sneak peek inside the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi.
- Insights into the Founder’s Memorial Abu Dhabi: Connecting Dots to the Past
- Plan a Visit
- What’s Inside the Founder’s Memorial Abu Dhabi
- Rules to Follow
- Nearby Restaurants
- FAQs
Insights Into the Founder’s Memorial Abu Dhabi: Connecting Dots to the Past
With the rise of modernism, younger generations often get detached from their culture and history. As loyal citizens of the UAE, we should always remember the legacy left behind by past leaders. This helps not only commemorate them but also teach them their life values.
In remembrance of the UAE’s late President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founder’s Memorial stands as a tribute. Established by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs in 2018, the Memorial cherishes the life, values and legacy of Sheikh Zayed. It is to remember the man who took charge of a deserted underdeveloped country and transformed it into a world of opportunities.
Since its inauguration, it has been one of the top places to learn about the UAE’s history. Both locals and expats have this place on their list of must-visit Abu Dhabi tourist places due to its popularity. Here are some highlights that are worth noting:
Area
The memorial is set across an area of 33,000 square metres.
A Treasure Trove
To make learning fun and exciting, the Memorial perfectly blends art, nature, creativity, and multimedia. This makes it attractive to people of all ages, and it’s a treasure trove for all history lovers. Believe us, the more you explore inside, the more intrigued you will be to learn.
Facilities
To better facilitate the tourists, the memorial provides the following facilities:
- Two restrooms
- Kid changing areas
- Prayer rooms
- Helpful staff and visitor desk
- Free parking (accessible via 18th Street)
Plan a Visit
If you want to educate yourself or your kids with a whole lot of knowledge, plan a visit to the Memorial now. Here is all you need to know to easily facilitate your visit:
Location
Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Ticket Price
There is no entry fee; anyone who has a knack for exploration is welcome to visit.
Opening Hours
The Welcome Centre is open every day from 09:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Contact Information
- Phone: +971 2 410 0100
- Email: hello@thefoundersmemorial.ae
Bookings
Individuals and families can visit the memorial without prior booking. However, if you are visiting as a group, say, a school or a university, booking in advance is a must. For bookings, email at:
- visit@thefoundersmemorial.ae
How to Get There
The Founder’s Memorial is located in a bustling district, which makes it easily accessible. Here are a few ways to reach the place:
Visit from Other Emirates
Here is how you can visit the memorial from other Emirates by car:
- Dubai: 1 hour 23 minutes via E11
- Sharjah: 1 hour 47 minutes via E11
- Ajman: 1 hour 59 minutes via E11
- Umm Al Quwain: 2 hours 14 minutes via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road/E311
- Fujairah: 2 hours 45 minutes via E11
- Ras Al Khaimah: 2 hours 44 minutes via Emirates Road/E611
Nearby Bus Stops
Abu Dhabi’s public transport is both reliable and comfortable. Here are some nearby bus stops to the Founder’s Memorial:
- ADNOC HQ: 9 minutes walk
- Emirates Palace Hotel: 9 minutes walk
- Corniche Street: 12 minutes walk
What’s Inside the Founder’s Memorial Abu Dhabi
Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect inside the Founder’s Memorial:
1. The Welcome Centre – A Grand Starting Point
The Memorial is all set to welcome you to the UAE’s historical roots. The first step inside will lead you to the Welcome Centre. The centre has multimedia screens to showcase movies, rare footage and clips of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s life.
This celebrates Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s remarkable achievements to let visitors know more about his values. The best part is the centre screens movies, audio, written documents from his close people and even some parts of his speeches.
2. The Sanctuary Garden – Explore the Heritage
Do you love taking a stroll on an elevated walkway while immersing yourself in the lush green landscapes? The Sanctuary or Heritage Garden inside the founder’s memorial is a perfect definition of beauty and tranquillity. When planning a visit, a must-do ritual is to click some nice photographs here.
Once done with the ritual, take a seat and relax in the calm atmosphere. The best part about the garden is you can see the beauty of the Constellation. Moreover, it is also a viewpoint for other heritage items. These include falaj (old water irrigation system) and traditional flora and fauna. From ghaf trees to henna and date palms, you can connect with nature here.
3. The Constellation – A Masterpiece
Probably one of the unique features of the Founder’s Memorial is Ralph Helmick’s craft. It is one of the largest portraits of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan standing 30 metres tall. The speciality is that it is made using 1327 three-dimensional shapes of different patterns and sizes.
The real beauty is to be experienced at night when these shapes shine just like stars on a night. It represents the UAE founder’s real values and paves the way for youngsters to follow the right path.
4. Tour Guides – Elevate Your Visit Experience
Do you want to know more about every artefact and space of the Memorial? Here comes Emirati Cultural Tour Guides offering a free tour around the Memorial. The best part is you can book English or Arabic speaking sessions.
Visitors can avail these complimentary 30-minute tours from 09:00 am to 10:00 pm. It is better to book the guide in advance to avoid hassle upon arrival. As there is an influx of tourists, you may not be able to book a tour guide upon arrival. Use the same email provided above for bookings.
Rules to Follow
When planning your visit, it is best to follow some rules to avoid any issues. Here is a round-up of what needs to be done:
- Any form of food or drink inside the Memorial is prohibited. However, you can purchase water from the vending machine behind the Welcome Centre.
- Visitors are allowed to click photographs and make videos. However, permission must be obtained from management for commercial shootings.
- Dressing must be appropriate for visiting the memorial.
Nearby Restaurants
After a tiring day of exploration, there could be nothing better than a good meal. Grab a bite at these top picks offering a variety of cuisines. Here are must-try restaurants near the Founder’s Memorial:
- Mamafri Restaurant | Asian delights: 7 minutes drive
- Bab Al Rayan Restaurant & Cafeteria | Middle Eastern cuisine: 9 minutes drive
- Mannat Hyderabad Restaurant | Indian delicacies: 9 minutes drive
- Bro Station Restaurant | American cuisine: 11 minutes drive
- Gazebo Restaurant | Indian delicacies: 11 minutes drive (Located on the Ground Floor of Khalidiyah Mall)
FAQs
There is no entry fee, and everyone, including tourists, can learn about the historical heritage.
Al Hosn Festival is a way to showcase the UAE’s cultural heritage. The festival is held once a year and combines exhibitions and a chance to learn more about the Emirates’ history.
Here is a list of must-visit historical places in the UAE:
– Al Bidya Mosque
– Emirates Heritage Village
– Ajman Museum
– Al Shindagha Museum
– Fujairah Fort
– Jumeirah Mosque
– Louvre Abu Dhabi
– Al Ain Oasis
– Dubai Heritage Village
Plan a visit with your friends or family to the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi and enjoy a day of absolute fun. Learn more about the life and values of the UAE’s founder, connect with history, and enjoy some good food. Happy Exploration!
Furthermore, if you want to settle in the UAE’s capital, consider these 13 best areas to live in Abu Dhabi.
