Louvre Abu Dhabi is a beacon of culture and the arts and a feat of architecture that is just as stunning now as it was when it opened in 2017. The first time we stepped beneath the impressive floating dome—which, incidentally, weighs as much as the Paris Eiffel Tower—we can still clearly recall our amazement. We're still in awe of it after hundreds of photos and several trips later.

Since its opening in 2017, the Louvre Abu Dhabi has become one of the city's most popular tourist destinations and the Arab world's most visited museum.

When planning a vacation in the UAE, visitors from all over the world prioritize visiting the museum, and for good reason.

Visit Louvre Abu Dhabi to enjoy the beauty of modern architecture

Everything you need to know about the Louvre Abu Dhabi before visiting

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is brimming with rare historical items and traditional and modern works of art that bridge the East and West in the past.

We'd be surprised if you haven’t been yet, as there’s so much to see and do at the iconic landmark. And if you have, why not visit again to see the latest exhibitions, join a workshop, or listen to a talk?

Here’s all you need to know about the Louvre Abu Dhabi to make the most of your first (or next visit) to the museum.

1. What is the Louvre Abu Dhabi?

Louvre Abu Dhabi is one of the best museums in the UAE

Louvre Abu Dhabi, the UAE's largest museum, opened in 2017 following a cooperation with a renowned French institution. The museum displays over 600 historical, cultural, and artistic items worldwide. 

Louvre Abu Dhabi is regarded as the Arab world's first worldwide museum, with a collection of Renaissance paintings, ancient Chinese sculptures, 15th-century globe maps, and modern art created by UAE artists. Despite being relatively young, it has quickly become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions and cultural landmarks.

2. Where is the Louvre Abu Dhabi?

The way to get the Louvre in Abu Dhabi

The Louvre Abu Dhabi and its massive dome construction are located on Saadiyat Island, a short distance from Abu Dhabi's shore. It's just a 5-minute drive from downtown Abu Dhabi or an hour's journey from Dubai. 

How to get there

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is situated in the Saadiyat Cultural District on Saadiyat Island and may be accessed by a private car, taxi, bus, or shuttle.

Visitors visiting the museum can park for free or pay for valet parking at Gate 1.

3. Tickets & opening hours of Louvre Abu Dhabi

Louvre Abu Dhabi tickets:

• The general admission tickets at the Louvre Abu Dhabi cost $17.

• Teachers, university lecturers, and UAE military personnel pay a reduced haft fee of $8.5

• Children under 18, residents over 60, Louvre Abu Dhabi members, ICOM and associated card holders, journalists, and People of Determination (accompanied by one companion) 

With their tickets, visitors can enter the museum galleries, temporary exhibitions, the Children's Museum, outdoor plazas beneath the dome, cafés, restaurants, bars, and the museum store. Remember that tickets must be purchased online before your visit.

Louvre Abu Dhabi opening hours:

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to midnight every Tuesday to Sunday. Nevertheless, galleries and exhibits close at 6.30 pm on weekdays and 8.30 pm on weekends.

4. What can I do in the Louvre Abu Dhabi?

Enjoy a lot of special exhibitions in the Lourve Abu Dhabi

Displays and exhibitions

Louvre Abu Dhabi is a crossroads between East and West. Treasures from history's biggest civilizations may be found here, including those from Ancient Egypt, Ancient China, the Ottoman Empire, Western culture, and, of course, the Arab civilization. The museum houses a large collection of artifacts from various cultures. 

It's fascinating that the displays are organized chronologically rather than by material or culture. Each of the museum's halls depicts the narrative of mankind in twelve chapters. The collections of Louvre Abu Dhabi begin with Egyptian antiquities and culminate with jaw-dropping artworks such as Mathilde Laurent's The Perfumed Cloud and Ai Weiwei's Fountain of Light, a stunning display of glass and crystals 23 feet tall.

With 8,600 square meters of indoor display space and 23 permanent galleries covering 6,400 square meters, we are not exaggerating when we say there is a lot to see at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

The paintings are often changed, and some are lent out for a limited period of time, allowing you to have a unique experience each visit.

While traversing the hallways, you'll find legendary works, including Leonardo da Vinci's La Belle Ferronnière, Giovanni Bellini's Virgin and Child, and Vincent Van Gogh's 1887 self-portrait. 

Those who admire contemporary art will enjoy the Louvre Abu Dhabi's modernist galleries. The exhibition features works by emerging Arab artists and established modernists like Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol. 

Architecture

See the modern design of architecture in Abu Dhabi Lourve 

If that wasn't enough, the museum building itself is a work of beauty! The famous French architect Jean Nouvel built the spectacular dome structure and cuboid architecture comprising the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Under its massive dome canopy, you'll find light and water interplays, ideal for Instagram photos or an afternoon rest!

Children’s Museum

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is also a family-friendly attraction, with children able to interact with art in both the main galleries and the specialized Children's Museum. Offering family-friendly exhibitions and activities, young children may learn about creative methods and history and develop an interest in art and culture.

The area, which caters to youngsters aged six to twelve, is intended to foster creativity and encourage the next generation of creatives.

From Tuesday, July 18, 2023, to June 2025, the Children's Museum will hold a temporary exhibition titled Picturing the Cosmos. The educational display will take children on a voyage across space through diverse artistic depictions over the ages.

Restaurants and cafés

After touring the numerous exhibits, visitors may unwind and reflect in one of the museum's cafés or restaurants.

Choose between a peaceful lunch at the Museum Café and a supper with a view at the Aptitude Café.

Meanwhile, Art Lounge provides a stylish outdoor environment with stunning views of Abu Dhabi and a diverse range of beverages and light nibbles.

Those looking to eat in grandeur should visit Fouquet's Abu Dhabi. Pierre Gagnaire, a legendary French chef, designed the menu for the elegant restaurant inside the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Inspired by the same-named Parisian restaurant, anticipate classic French cuisine with a contemporary touch. (It is a fancy restaurant, so no shorts, please.)

Above the restaurant, visitors may locate Marta's Bar, a speakeasy-style business that serves cocktails and light meals in the day and evening.

5. How much time do tourists need to explore the museum?

Enjoy a lot of modern art masterpieces in the world

Although the Louvre Abu Dhabi is not as massive as the Louvre Paris, you will still need plenty of time to visit the museum's many wings. It just takes around 3 hours to visit the leading collections. However, if you have the time, it's enjoyable to linger about your favorite exhibitions. 

Planning your trip with UAE e-visa to explore the Louvre in Abu Dhabi

When planning your trip to UAE to explore the world-renowned Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi, making the necessary arrangements, including obtaining a UAE e-visa through UAE Visa Services, is essential. The UAE e-visa makes it easier than ever to enter the UAE. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a cultural jewel that houses a fascinating collection of art and artifacts worldwide.

As you explore its wide galleries, you'll encounter treasures from different ages and continents, taking you on a riveting trip through human ingenuity and cultural legacy. The Louvre Abu Dhabi combines worldwide treasures and local storytelling, ranging from ancient sculptures to modern artworks. This museum guarantees an educational experience for anybody interested in history, art, or beauty. 

So, plan your vacation, obtain your UAE e-visa, and prepare to immerse yourself in the delights of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, where art, history, and architectural brilliance come together in a truly remarkable environment.