Paris is the first place that comes to mind when someone mentions the Louvre, but it’s not the only city in the world with a museum that has this name. Abu Dhabi is home to its own Louvre Museum, but they’re two entirely separate museums with their own vision and identity.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi may not be as iconic as the original, but it’s an important cultural institution in this corner of the world. It’s the largest art museum in the Arabian peninsula, and its main mission is to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western art by showcasing art from all around the world.
This impressive museum covers 24,000 square meters with 35,000 works of art on its premises. The building itself was designed by the famed architect Jean Nouvel before opening its doors to visitors in 2017. The museum is instantly recognizable thanks to its huge, silvery dome composed of 7,850 stars, which appears to be floating above the rest of the museum city.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is easily accessible because it’s the main attraction of the Saadiyat Island Cultural District. It’s open to visitors between 10 am and 6:30 pm, Tuesday through Sunday, and you should make sure to book the tickets in advance and set aside at least two hours for exploration.
