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The dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi over the water

No. 51 Top 100 Most Visited Art Museums 2025 · 1,423,588 visitors in 2025

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates · City guide: Abu Dhabi

A universal museum under a vast latticed dome on the waters of Saadiyat Island.

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Photo: Boubloub, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is No. 51 in The Art Newspaper's survey of the world's most visited art museums, with 1,423,588 visitors in 2025, unchanged on 2024. Opened in 2017 in the Saadiyat Cultural District, it was created through an agreement between the UAE and France and shows works from its own collection alongside loans from French museums.

The museum was designed by Jean Nouvel as a cluster of white buildings under a huge latticed dome, about 180 m across, that casts a dappled 'rain of light' onto the plazas and water below.

Light filtering through the dome onto the Louvre Abu Dhabi's plaza
Light filtering through the dome onto the Louvre Abu Dhabi's plaza. Photo: Francisco Anzola, CC BY 3.0, source

Best time to visit

Visit in the late afternoon to see the dome at sunset; the museum's site stays open into the evening, but the galleries close earlier: 6:30 pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30 pm Friday to Sunday. Check the official website before you go.

Highlights & collections

  • 1

    The dome

    Walk under the dome and along the water's edge to see the shifting patterns of light.

  • 2

    Universal galleries

    A journey through human history from prehistory to the present, showing objects from different cultures side by side.

  • 3

    Temporary exhibitions

    Major international exhibitions, often with French partner museums.

  • 4

    Children's Museum

    A hands-on gallery for families.

Getting there

The museum is in the Saadiyat Cultural District, about 15 to 20 minutes by taxi from central Abu Dhabi. Public buses also serve Saadiyat Island.

Visiting tips

Tickets & hours
Buy tickets online or at the museum. Check the official website for prices and hours.
Time needed
Two to three hours.
Currency
UAE dirham (AED). Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Visa & entry
Citizens of many countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and EU countries, get a free visit visa on arrival; others need to arrange a visa in advance. Check the UAE government portal (u.ae) or your airline before you travel.

Official information: Louvre Abu Dhabi (official website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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