The Louvre Abu Dhabi is an impressive museum that runs in agreement with France, being allowed to use Louvre’s name until 2037.
It has been described as ‘France’s largest cultural project abroad’, and it boasts a large number of galleries with rotating and permanent exhibitions, art displays, and activities.
Unlike its French namesake, though, Abu Dhabi Louvre museum has introduced an exhibition design to explore the connections that exist between different cultures and civilizations. They’re displayed in chronological order for visitors to understand.
I was a resident of Dubai for one year and somehow I didn’t make it to the museum while I was there. However, I went back for a visit and decided it was time to check it out – and oh, I’m glad I did!
I loved making my way through the exhibitions, but even more, I was awestruck by the architecture of it. Showcasing countless pieces of art on the inside, the museum’s building is equally worthy of admiration. It features a massive roof that resembles a dome and man-made canals and pools surrounding it.
Jean Nouvel, Louvre Abu Dhabi’s architect, created a true masterpiece whose construction took 4 years, so don’t forget to check it out! The museum should definitely be on your Abu Dhabi itinerary.
Read on to find all the information you need to know before visiting. From the Louvre Abu Dhabi tickets to the best time to visit, everything’s covered so you can plan a fantastic time in this spectacular museum.
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The Louvre Abu Dhabi Opening Hours
The Louvre Abu Dhabi timings are Tuesday to Wednesday from 10 AM to 6.30 PM, and Thursday to Sunday from 10 AM to 8.30 PM. The last entry is 30 minutes before closing time, and the ticket office closes an hour before.
How To Get to Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is located on Saadiyat Island, approximately a 15-20 minutes drive from downtown Abu Dhabi.
▶️ If you want to use public transportation from Abu Dhabi, you can take route 94 of the public bus, which will leave you right in front of the museum.
▶️ You could otherwise take a taxi to be dropped off by the main entrance, or drive to the museum.
Louvre Abu Dhabi’s address is Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, and these are the coordinates of the visitors’ parking if you’re using a GPS. There’s both parking and valet service available.
Louvre Abu Dhabi Tickets & Tours
You can buy your entry tickets at the museum or online. If you’re visiting in the high season (winter), I recommend buying your ticket online in order to avoid wasting time in line.
➤ The Louvre Abu Dhabi Entry Ticket enables you to visit all the museum’s galleries. It also includes access to the Children’s Museum and special exhibitions on your chosen day and timeslot. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Abu Dhabi Tours with Louvre Museum
You could otherwise opt to join a tour of the city that includes the Louvre museum in its itinerary.
➤ The Private Abu Dhabi City Tour with Louvre Museum & Lunch is a full-day excursion that will take you to the landmarks of UAE’s capital city. You’ll drive along the Corniche, visit the Grand Mosque, and also spend a couple of hours in the Louvre museum, with an admission ticket included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ The Grand Mosque and Louvre Museum Tour is a half-day trip that includes a visit to the spectacular Grand Mosque. You’ll also go to the Louvre, where you’ll have free time to explore the different wings and galleries at your leisure. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Abu Dhabi Tours from Dubai with Louvre Abu Dhabi
If you’re staying in Dubai, it’s easy to add the Louvre to your Dubai itinerary. In fact, taking a day trip to Abu Dhabi and visiting the museum and the Grand Mosque is one of the very best things to do in Dubai!
In this case, the best way to visit the museum is with a tour, as it gives you the opportunity to explore Abu Dhabi and some of its landmarks as well.
➤ The Abu Dhabi City Tour, Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace & The Louvre allows you to explore several highlights of the city. These include the Grand Mosque, Heritage Village, Emirates Palace, and the Louvre Museum, among others. You’ll enjoy pick-up and drop-off from your Dubai accommodation and tickets to the museum. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ This Abu Dhabi Full-Day Trip with Louvre from Dubai takes a small group to two of the city’s most popular attractions, with hotel transfers. You’ll get to tour the Grand Mosque with your knowledgeable guide, and also enjoy a visit to the Louvre Museum. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ The Private Abu Dhabi City Tour with Louvre Museum & Lunch is a full-day excursion. You’ll visit Heritage Village, drive along the Corniche, and tour the Grand Mosque and the Louvre. Admire Qasr Al Watan and have lunch at Marina Mall. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
What You’ll Find at Louvre Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi is an art museum that features four different, major exhibitions throughout the year. Most of them are created in collaboration with the French Louvre and include loaned art pieces and works from their collections.
Following the museum’s theme, they are curated and organized in chronological order. They depict the different civilizations and showcase human creativity throughout history, from the first villages and empires to the modern world.
While you’ll find plenty of paintings at Louvre Abu Dhabi, there are also collections and displays showcasing pictures, objects, and tokens of the different civilizations.
The museum is divided into 4 wings, each of which features 3 galleries. The first one is dedicated to the First Great Powers, Villages, and Civilizations.
It presents the history of the first human settlements (all the way back to 10,000 BC!) and showcasing figurines and statues from that era.
This wing also explores the first appearances of kingdoms and the emergence of the great first powers, with all their splendor.
The second exhibition revolves around the ancient Asian Trade Routes, Universal Religions, and Mediterranean history.
It explores how the spread of religions, especially Christianity, Buddhism and Islam, transformed communities all over the world. It also showcases the expansion of trading networks between the continents in the early centuries AD.
The third wing focuses on the First Globalization and all its developments, as well as art from the 18th century and a collection about the embodiment of a State.
Cosmography and navigation instruments from the 15th and 16th centuries are also on display, along with objects and art from the new empires and societies.
Finally, the fourth wing depicts the Modern World, showcasing the industrial revolution, economic powers, and the development of society.
The challenges that this sort of development demands, the role of art in modernization, and the reinvention of society through technology, architecture, and said art are also explored in the exhibit.
Temporary Exhibitions at Louvre Abu Dhabi
The new temporary exhibition , which will take place from the 16th of October until the 9th of February 2025, is called Post-Impressionism: Beyond Appearances.
In partnership with Musée d’Orsay will showcase the works of artists like Cézanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh, and Seurat.
The exhibit will display over 100 pieces, and its main purpose is to explore the new techniques and artistic approaches that redefined the art world. It focuses on the years between 1886 and 1905.
Louvre Abu Dhabi for Children
For younger visitors, Louvre Abu Dhabi has the Children’s Museum, which is free for kids. It features rotating exhibitions with interactive displays and the opportunity for kids to learn and have fun.
The current exhibition is Emotions! an art adventure spread over three floors. It encourages them to learn about their emotions and express them through drawing, acting, and playing.
Artworks play an important role in the experience, inviting kids to discover their secrets and the messages they represent. They achieve that through games, rewards, and fun activities that engage their minds and bodies.
The exhibit is aimed at children aged 4 to 10, and while they enjoy free access, they have to be accompanied by a paying adult. The entrance fee for adults is AED 63 at the time of writing.
Other Things You’ll Find at Louvre Abu Dhabi
▶️ Dance and painting masterclasses are often held at the museum, inspired by the latest exhibitions or aligned with the current displays. These classes have different fees, but in most cases they also include the entrance to the museum.
▶️ The Museum Café offers views of the sea and city skyline, and a great assortment of dishes to enjoy a quick lunch. There’s a kid’s menu and delicious cuisine that blends European and Emirati flavours.
▶️ There’s also a fine dining French restaurant at Louvre Abu Dhabi, where you can indulge in a meal (or dessert!) after touring the museum.
▶️ Feeling a little more adventurous? Then go kayaking around Louvre Abu Dhabi’s canals! It’s surely a fantastic way to contemplate its stunning design, which is one of the main attractions of the museum.
Tips for Your Visit To the Louvre in the United Arab Emirates
What’s the best time to visit Louvre Abu Dhabi?
The best time to visit Louvre to avoid crowds is early in the morning, right after opening time.
How much time do you need for your visit?
3 hours is the maximum amount of time you’re allowed to stay in the museum. Visiting the Louvre Abu Dhabi shouldn’t take you more than 2-3 hours.
What should you know before visiting Louvre Abu Dhabi?
▶️ The museum is accessible for disabled visitors, who are eligible, along with one companion, for complimentary entrance upon showing their disability card. Wheelchairs and strollers are allowed, and they are also available for loan on request. Guide dogs are welcome as well.
▶️ You’ll find multiple resting areas throughout the exhibitions, where you can take a break on a couch if you need to.
▶️ It’s allowed to take photographs and videos for personal use, but tripods, selfie sticks, and the use of flash are prohibited.
▶️ Eating and/or drinking in the galleries is not allowed. Nor is smoking, having telephone conversations, getting too close or touching the artwork, or wearing a backpack on your back.
▶️ The museum is kept at a cool temperature to protect the artwork, so you may want to take a jacket with you.
▶️ There is free parking for visitors and valet service.
