Louvre Abu Dhabi is the Arab world's first universal museum, built on the waterfront of the Saadiyat Cultural District. Rather than sorting art by country, it sets works from different civilisations beside one another so the shared threads between cultures become visible — a journey through humanity's artistic heritage from ancient civilisations to modern innovation, across 9,200 square metres of display space. The permanent collection is enriched by loans from renowned French institutions including the Musée du Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay and the Centre Pompidou, and temporary exhibitions bring fresh perspectives through the year. Galleries move from carved stone figures and antiquities in daylit halls to rooms of framed paintings and sculpture, with seating throughout for a slower look. The building is a work of art in its own right. Designed by Jean Nouvel and drawing on traditional Arabic architecture, it is crowned by a monumental dome of 7,850 interlaced stars. The canopy filters the sun into the famous "rain of light", scattering shifting patterns across the white plaza and the water below, and the museum sits surrounded by the waters of the Arabian Gulf — the walkways and pools beneath the dome are as photographed as the galleries. Your ticket covers entry, access to the galleries and designated visitor areas, and an audio guide through the museum's mobile app. Allow roughly two to three hours. Good to know: dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered; comfortable footwear helps as the visit involves considerable walking, and a light jacket is worth carrying because the museum is air-conditioned. Outside food and beverages may not be brought in. Children under 18 enter free of charge, and children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older; proof of age may be requested. Printed and electronic tickets are both accepted.