The five historical museum buildings on Museum Island have been part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1999, and represent a collection that is unique in the world. Each museum building on the island was designed by famous architects of their time. Museum Island is home to collections in the Altes Museum (Old Museum), the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery), the Bode Museum, and the Neues Museum (New Museum). The Pergamon Museum is closed for renovation until 2037 or 2043. The exhibitions cover prehistoric times, ancient history and 19th-century art.

The Zayed National Museum is one of the most meaningful places in Abu Dhabi to explore the story of the nation and the wider region. Named in honour of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the museum brings together culture, heritage, history and the principles he championed. You will be taken on a journey through time, beginning nearly 300,000 years ago in the stone-tool era, before moving through a series of galleries featuring both permanent and temporary exhibitions. If you like to plan ahead, the museum website provides all the information you need before your visit. Facilities include a cloakroom, free Wi-Fi, ATMs and restrooms. When it comes to dining, the museum features a restaurant and three cafés set within Al Masar Garden. Before leaving, you can stop by Al Nagwa, the museum’s boutique, which offers jewellery and a selection of high-quality gifts.

The Basilica of St. Mary, made partly of limestone rock from the area, offers opportunities for quiet contemplation, a visit to the shrine or simply a stroll in the garden nearby. Being the oldest Catholic church in South Florida, it has been given the title of 'basilica' in 2012 because of its historical significance, its spiritual weight and being an excellent example of the eclectic period of American Victorian architecture.