Louvre Abu Dhabi — guided tour of the universal museum

The Louvre Abu Dhabi opened in November 2017 as the result of a 30-year intergovernmental partnership with France. It's housed in a Jean Nouvel-designed building whose lattice dome scatters daylight into what the architect calls 'rain of light' — the dome alone is worth the entry fee.

What to see

The museum's curatorial concept is universal — it tells human history chronologically through art and artefacts from every major civilisation. Across 23 galleries you'll find:

• A 4,500-year-old funerary set from the Egyptian Old Kingdom.

• A 9th-century Quran from Cordoba.

• Leonardo da Vinci's La Belle Ferronnière (on long-term loan from the Louvre Paris).

• Van Gogh's self-portrait and Magritte's iconic 'L'Homme au chapeau melon'.

• Contemporary Emirati and regional artists in the final galleries.

How long to allow

Plan for 2.5-3 hours to walk all 23 galleries without rushing. The optional audio guide (free with admission via a QR code) is excellent and adds 30-45 minutes if you listen to most stops. If you only have 90 minutes, focus on galleries 1-12 (Antiquity through to the Renaissance) and the dome.

Practical info

• Tickets: AED 63 standard, AED 31.50 children 13-22, free for under-13s.

• Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:30; closed Mondays.

• Photography is allowed in most galleries; flash and tripods are not.

• On-site café and a higher-end restaurant (Fouquet's) for lunch.

Getting there

By car, 1 hour 30 from Dubai via E11. By bus, several day-tour operators include hotel pick-up plus entry from AED 250. The museum has a large free car park.