The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a universal art museum on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, born from an agreement between France and the United Arab Emirates signed in March 2007 and opened on 8 November 2017. The adult ticket costs AED 70 (VAT included) and entry is free for under-18s; the galleries open at 10 am, until 6:30 pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30 pm Friday to Sunday, while the dome stays accessible until midnight. Here are the official prices and hours, how to get there, the museum passes and the best time to enjoy the dome.
The museum is one of the headline visits of a stay in Abu Dhabi: see our guide to visiting Abu Dhabi, our page on traveling to the United Arab Emirates and our comparison Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
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Louvre Abu Dhabi: key facts
- Price: AED 70 (adults 18 and over, VAT included); free for under-18s, people with disabilities and one companion, and a few other categories — checked 24 October 2026 on louvreabudhabi.ae
- Galleries and exhibitions: Monday to Thursday 10 am to 6:30 pm, Friday to Sunday 10 am to 8:30 pm; last entry 30 minutes before closing
- Dome: open until midnight, last entry at 11 pm
- Booking: online tickets on the official website (« Book Tickets »); some galleries may be closed while new works are installed
- Location: Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi prices and tickets
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (18 and over) | AED 70 |
| Under 18 | Free |
| Seniors aged 60 and over, Emirati nationals and residents | Free |
| People with disabilities (« People of Determination ») and one companion | Free |
| Members (with one guest), ICOM/ICOMOS card holders, journalists | Free |
Free entry for seniors applies only to Emirati nationals and residents: other visitors over 60 pay the adult rate. Since 1 March 2026, the museum also sells « Museums Passes » that combine the Louvre Abu Dhabi with the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum, with the Zayed National Museum, or with both; their prices and conditions are shown on the official page.
Official ticket or reseller?
The official ticket at the reference price is bought on louvreabudhabi.ae. Resellers offer the same ticket alone, or combined with a transfer from Dubai, Qasr Al Watan palace or a guided tour. Compare with the official AED 70 price and check what is included (transport, guide, multi-museum pass) and the cancellation terms.
Opening hours: galleries by day, dome until midnight
The site distinguishes two sets of hours. The galleries and exhibitions close at 6:30 pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30 pm Friday to Sunday, with last entry 30 minutes before. The site itself is open from 10 am to midnight, and you can stroll under the dome until midnight (last entry at 11 pm). The official site does not state a weekly closing day: older guides mention a Monday closure, whereas the page consulted on 24 October 2026 shows Monday to Thursday hours.
When to see the « rain of light » and the sunset
Jean Nouvel’s perforated dome lets light filter through in shifting patches: by day, it is the most photographed effect. In the evening, the building lights up and you can stay under the dome well after the galleries close. To combine the two, we calculated the sunset time at the museum and the time you have afterward under the dome before the 11 pm last entry.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Time between sunset and last dome entry (11 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:08 am | 5:55 pm | 5 h 05 min |
| February | 6:56 am | 6:16 pm | 4 h 44 min |
| March | 6:31 am | 6:31 pm | 4 h 29 min |
| April | 6:01 am | 6:44 pm | 4 h 16 min |
| May | 5:39 am | 6:58 pm | 4 h 02 min |
| June | 5:33 am | 7:12 pm | 3 h 48 min |
| July | 5:42 am | 7:13 pm | 3 h 47 min |
| August | 5:56 am | 6:56 pm | 4 h 04 min |
| September | 6:08 am | 6:26 pm | 4 h 34 min |
| October | 6:20 am | 5:56 pm | 5 h 04 min |
| November | 6:37 am | 5:35 pm | 5 h 25 min |
| December | 6:58 am | 5:36 pm | 5 h 24 min |
Destination de Voyage calculation: the sun sets between 5:35 pm and 7:13 pm depending on the season. From Friday to Sunday, with the galleries open until 8:30 pm, you can visit the rooms, step out under the dome at sunset and stay there afterward; from Monday to Thursday, in winter, the rooms close at 6:30 pm, shortly after sunset.
What to see at the Louvre Abu Dhabi
The permanent route presents the history of art across civilizations, from the first villages to contemporary creations, setting works from different cultures side by side. Some of the pieces are loaned by French museums under the 2007 agreement. Temporary exhibitions complete the route, and the museum has a Children’s Museum. The rooms change regularly: the museum warns that some galleries may be closed while works are installed.
- Guided tours: a tour of the collection highlights with a museum guide takes place every day, according to the official site.
- Architecture tour: a 90-minute guided tour devoted to the building is offered on certain dates.
- App and podcast: the museum offers an app and audio resources to download before your visit.
- Cafés and restaurants: the museum café, Aptitude Café, Art Lounge on the terrace, Fouquet’s brasserie.
Getting there and services
The museum is in the Cultural District of Saadiyat Island. The official site lists five ways to get there: by car (from Dubai or Yas Island, take the Saadiyat Island / Yas Island exit then follow signs to Cultural District / Louvre Abu Dhabi), by bus, by taxi, on the « Cultural Express » shuttle and by boat. A paid valet service is offered. For the rest of your stay, our Abu Dhabi guide details the districts and getting around.
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the museum, cloakrooms, ATM and first-aid post on level −1.
- Wheelchairs and strollers loaned free of charge at the « Loan Desk ».
- Prayer rooms on level −1.
- Visitor Regulations to be accepted at entry, available on the website.
Best time to visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi
The museum is air-conditioned, so it can be visited all year. The climate matters mainly for the open-air dome and for the rest of the day in Abu Dhabi:
| Month | Max °C (°F) | Min °C (°F) | Rain mm (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24.5 (76) | 13.8 (57) | 12.5 (0.5) |
| February | 26.5 (80) | 15.9 (61) | 8.1 (0.3) |
| March | 29.7 (85) | 17.5 (64) | 12.9 (0.5) |
| April | 35.0 (95) | 21.1 (70) | 5.2 (0.2) |
| May | 39.6 (103) | 24.6 (76) | 0.3 (0.0) |
| June | 41.4 (107) | 26.9 (80) | 0.0 (0.0) |
| July | 42.5 (109) | 29.7 (85) | 0.7 (0.0) |
| August | 43.4 (110) | 30.2 (86) | 0.1 (0.0) |
| September | 40.9 (106) | 27.4 (81) | 0.0 (0.0) |
| October | 36.6 (98) | 23.7 (75) | 0.2 (0.0) |
| November | 31.0 (88) | 19.6 (67) | 2.4 (0.1) |
| December | 26.5 (80) | 15.7 (60) | 7.8 (0.3) |
From May to September, maximum temperatures exceed 39 °C (102 °F): visit the galleries during the day and keep the dome for the evening. From November to March, maximums stay between 24 and 31 °C (75 and 88 °F). These figures are the same as on our Abu Dhabi page, which details the seasons.
Entry requirements
See entry requirements for the United Arab Emirates for passport, visa and safety information.
Common mistakes
- Relying on an old guide that announces a Monday closure: check the hours of the day on the official site.
- Arriving in the late afternoon on a weekday: the galleries close at 6:30 pm Monday to Thursday, last entry 30 minutes before.
- Counting on a senior discount: free entry for ages 60 and over is reserved for Emirati nationals and residents.
- Paying for a resold ticket that costs much more without transport or a guide included.
What to see nearby
Our Abu Dhabi guide presents the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan palace and the Corniche. From Dubai, the museum can be combined with the Burj Khalifa and the Burj Al Arab on the same trip.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Louvre Abu Dhabi cost?
AED 70 for an adult aged 18 and over, VAT included; free for under-18s, according to the official site consulted on 24 October 2026.
Is the Louvre Abu Dhabi closed on Mondays?
The official page consulted on 24 October 2026 shows Monday to Thursday hours (10 am – 6:30 pm) and does not state a weekly closing day; check before you go.
How late can you stay under the dome?
Until midnight, with last entry at 11 pm, while the galleries close earlier.
How long should you allow for the visit?
The museum does not state a visit duration; the guided architecture tour lasts 90 minutes. Allow extra time for the dome and the terrace.
Do you need to book?
The museum sells its tickets online; booking avoids waiting at the ticket desks, but the site does not require a reservation for standard entry.
Is the Louvre Abu Dhabi linked to the Louvre in Paris?
Yes: it operates under an agreement between France and the United Arab Emirates signed in March 2007, which provides in particular for loans of works from French museums.
Our sources
- Louvre Abu Dhabi (louvreabudhabi.ae), « Visit Us » page: prices, hours, access, services, consulted on 24 October 2026
- Wikipedia, « Louvre Abu Dhabi » article (March 2007 agreement, opening on 8 November 2017, architect Jean Nouvel)
- 1991–2020 normals for the Abu Dhabi International Airport station, World Meteorological Organization (NOAA archive), as repeated in the Wikipedia « Abu Dhabi » article
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, applied by Destination de Voyage to the coordinates of the Louvre Abu Dhabi (15th of each month, year 2027, clear horizon)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Prices, hours and access rules may change: check the official website before you go.
