Later this year, Egypt is set to open its Grand Egyptian Museum, making it the largest archaeological museum in the world. The hotly-anticipated location just near the Pyramids will feature over 100,000 ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the biggest collection of King Tutankhamun pieces.
But as we impatiently wait for the historic opening, we’d be remiss not to mention the slew of museums in the region that already impress us, welcoming millions of visitors a year and that should include you too.
So, if you happen to be in any of these destinations, here are the coolest museums to stop by.
The Palestinian Museum – Palestine
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The museum dedicated to Palestinian culture and history is set next to the Birzeit University campus, north of Ramallah. You can visit its large exhibition spaces or take a stroll through its beautiful gardens that’ll take you through the agricultural and plant history of Palestine.
Louvre Abu Dhabi – UAE
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The Louvre Abu Dhabi is more of a micro-city than a museum. With 55 buildings including 23 galleries, the space on Saadiyat Island boasts artworks from 17 of France’s most renowned cultural institutions. The fascinating design by Jean Nouvel, surrounded by water under a huge modernist silvery dome, is an unmissable hot-spot for art lovers.
Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech – Morocco
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Located near the Jardin Majorelle—an astonishing botanical garden purchased by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé in 1980, the museum has one of the designer’s largest collection of garments as well as sketches, collection boards, prints and portraits of Saint Laurent himself. You can also spend your coffee break at the decadent Le Studio café and lose yourself in the museum’s own library of over 5,000 books.
Jordan National Gallery – Jordan
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The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts in Amman is the first of its kind in the Middle Eastern nation. It has one of the largest art collections in the region featuring over 3,000 works from artists across the globe. You can also catch exhibitions by local and regional contemporary artists.
Museum of Happiness – Saudi Arabia
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The most instagrammable museum in the region yet, the Museum of Happiness is guaranteed to give you an instant boost of serotonin. Sprawling over 1,300 square metre, the Riyadh-based space has everything from a pool of marshmallows to a yellow rubber duck-filled bathtub. Your post-fun break? The Happiness café, where you can find the sweetest selection of teas and desserts.
Atelier Assaf – Lebanon
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Set in the mountainous landscapes of Al Warhaniyeh, in Shouf Caza, Atelier Assaf will take you through a nature-immersed journey through contemporary art and sculptures and a decadent botanical garden. The environmental project is run by three brothers and sculptors Assaf, Mansour and Aref who took up the craft from their father and share an old family affair with art. Notably, fine artist Aref Al-Rayess was their godfather whilst their uncle is the celebrated fine artist Fouad Al-Warhani.
