I’ve visited the Louvre in Paris several times, and was thrilled to be able to visit the brand new Abu Dhabi Louvre. But I wasn’t sure what to expect.
The first time my family and I visited the Paris Louvre, it took us 20 minutes to figure out how to get inside (FYI: the entrance is below the glass pyramid, and you have to take an escalator down). That time, and every time since, we’ve gone in with a plan to see a couple of key pieces — such as the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory — but also spent some time wandering through some of the less crowded galleries.
Toby and I found the Abu Dhabi Louvre to be similar in that it’s a beautifully designed building with tons of amazing art inside, but the “first universal museum in the Arab world” is also very different than the O.G. Louvre in many ways — making it worth visiting even if you’ve explored every inch of the fabulous Paris museum.
Layout
While the Louvre in Paris is designed in such a way that you could wander around aimlessly, skipping entire sections or looping back around to certain galleries, the Abu Dhabi Louvre is designed so everyone takes the same path through the museum. Obviously you aren’t required to look at everything you pass, and there are a few rooms you could technically skip, but the layout starts in ancient times and leads you through history. So, even if you’re just looking for modern art, you’ll have to pass through several hundreds years’ worth of other art to get there.
There is a particular focus on art from the Middle East, and the movement of civilizations through the region. I particularly enjoyed the displays and art explaining/illustrating the interconnectedness of the world’s major religions.
Art
I am not an art expert, but it’s hard to see how anyone could be disappointed with the variety and quality of art in this museum. In addition to the ancient pieces and religious texts, there are paintings and sculptures from every era–including plenty of names you will recognize, from Leonardo DaVinci to Jackson Pollock.
Tickets and hours
I would strongly recommend you buy your tickets online beforehand. But, don’t expect to stroll right into the museum. Because it’s still so new, and they only let a certain number of people enter at once, the line to get in is pretty long. However, you will be able to get in much faster if you’re a member, and when we were there, we noticed that parents with kids in strollers were also able to go through the shorter line.
Other notes
You don’t have to be staying in Abu Dhabi to visit the new Louvre. We rented a car in Dubai and drove over for the day, and were also able to visit the stunning Sheikh Zayid Mosque. The 90-minute drive is pretty straightforward, on a nice, new highway, and there is plenty of parking at the Louvre, though you may have to hunt a bit for a spot in the main parking lot.
You can easily spend all day at the museum, and there is a cafe at the end (in the open-air part) if you’re hungry. But even if you don’t plan to stay all day, make sure you give yourself a few hours. It’s definitely worth the time.
Planning to visit the Abu Dhabi Louvre? Pin this post for later:
