From Ancient Artifacts to Modern Masterpieces: How to Explore Abu Dhabi's Museums & Galleries

Abu Dhabi is home to some of the best museums and galleries, especially for learning about the region's flourishing arts scene. With a rich cultural heritage, the museums and galleries of Abu Dhabi have a lot to showcase and often hold world-class exhibitions on a variety of art forms, including paintings, sculptures, films and games. Let us take a look into some of the most prestigious and renowned museums and galleries that Abu Dhabi has to offer.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Established on Saadiyat Island in 2017, it was designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel. Within its futuristic design, it houses more than 600 artworks across 23 permanent galleries. Inside its iconic dome is a complex geometric structure composed of 7,850 stars that appear in various sizes and angles and as the sun passes the pattern it projects a beautiful shadow pattern on the ground known as the “rain of light”.  With many works being brought in from partnering French museums, such as the Louvre, Palace of Versailles and the Musée d’Orsay there is much to see. You will also be able to see many Chinese ceremonial vases, Egyptian antiquities and Neolithic statues from Ain Ghazal. 

Warehouse421

The Warehouse421 was launched in 2015 with the vision to provide a cultural space that would encourage artistic expression, increase the public's perceptive process and reinforce the United Arab Emirates’ creative community. It is a platform for art and culture, design, performance, creativity and music, from UAE-based, regional and international designers, artists and cultural practitioners. Warehouse421 hosts the work of emerging artists and explores the UAE’s ongoing transformation into the complexity and beauty of Emirati adornment, by bringing in new exhibitions and artists to not only present a wide variety of artworks but to also contribute to public discourse, interactivity and innovative community development. It is located in Zayed Port which is a short drive from most hotels and accommodations such as Oaks Liwa Executive Suites which have serviced apartments, rooms and suites such as their Premier Suite which will make your stay in Abu Dhabi quite a comfortable and luxurious one.

Abu Dhabi Heritage Village

The Abu Dhabi Heritage Village is a reconstruction of a traditional village done by the Emirates Heritage Club and is located on Corniche Breakwater, close to Marina Mall and Cornice Beach. It is an open-air museum concept that takes you on a trip to immerse you into what the United Arab Emirates' traditional desert life is like. The recreated complex has all the traditional elements and structures you would find in a traditional village such as a mosque, a souq (Street market), a falaj (irrigation channel), and several barasti (traditional houses). There are also craftsmen and women working on traditional practices such as pottery, glassblowing and metallurgy in the village. The village also has a little spice shop which has a range of dried herbs, handmade soaps and plenty of souvenirs that make ideal gifts to take home for family and friends. 

Shoujaa, Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan with largest model Willys jeep 2009, CC BY-SA 3.0 

Emirates National Auto Museum

A trip to this museum that is dedicated to all things vehicular and is an attraction that brings in tourists from all over the world is a treat for all auto enthusiasts. The Emirates National Auto Museum has over 200 cars that belong to the Emirati royalty, Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan with many of them vintage rare cars. There are plenty of photo opportunities such as the world’s largest model jeep, a retired passenger jet, off-road vehicles, classic American cars and the Sheikh’s Mercedes rainbow collection. The parking lot collection outside has many utility trailers, military vehicles and some of the oldest cars of the automobile industry which make for some great photo opportunities.