A Must-Visit Cultural Gem in Abu Dhabi, But Be Warned: It's Not for the Faint of Heart

Hello everyone!

I'm super stoked to share my review of one of Abu Dhabi's most popular attractions - the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Yes, you read that right - a Louvre in the UAE! It's been ten years since its inception, and I've got to say, it's a modern interpretation that's definitely worth visiting.

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a massive exhibition space with several halls. I think the layout takes you on a journey from ancient to more recent eras. Let's get to the good stuff first.

Don't bring anything that might hold you up at the entrance - no sharp objects, food, or water. I made the mistake of bringing a banana, and I had to eat it before entering. No bananas allowed! You can, however, deposit your items in the provided lockers before entering.Don't even think about bringing a local guide or one from your tour operator - it's not allowed. You can, however, hire a guide inside the museum, and they might even speak Russian. I joined a random tour group for a bit, but I didn't have time to follow them for the entire visit.You can connect to the free Wi-Fi at the entrance, download the app, and listen to the audio guide. The interface is pretty cool:

The app is definitely worth it, despite the initial hassle of registering. The labels next to the exhibits are in Arabic and English, but I'm not fluent enough to understand the historical terms. You can either use your camera to scan the labels or type in the numbers - I recommend typing in the numbers for accuracy.

The audio guide is available in Russian, which is a huge plus. Sometimes, there's even music to set the mood. Each recording is about a minute or a bit longer, which is perfect considering the number of exhibits. If you're visiting as part of a guided tour, like I did, you'll get about 1.5 hours to explore. However, if you just want to quickly walk through the halls, 40 minutes should suffice.

I visited the Louvre Abu Dhabi as part of a comprehensive tour, and I was blown away by the sheer number of exhibits. I chose to focus on the ones that interested me the most and listened to the audio guide. Here are some of the exhibits that caught my eye:

These were some of the pieces from the Palace of Versailles:

These ancient Greek columns were a highlight:

I was particularly fascinated by the Roman era - the male statues, not so much for the ladies, but for the gentlemen, of course!

After exploring the halls, I entered a beautiful space with an intricate metal ceiling that created a sense of airiness and lightness. It's a remarkable combination of steel and lace.

You can take a break by the water, sit, and absorb everything you've seen.

So, here are my takeaways:If you listen to the audio guide, you'll barely scratch the surface in 1.5 hours. You'll need more time to truly appreciate the exhibits. If you just want to quickly walk through, 40 minutes should be enough.This place is not for kids - it's way too boring for them. If your little ones are interested in history, they might enjoy it, but otherwise, stick to theme parks. I heard there's a separate area for kids, but I didn't see it.The museum is well-designed - no crowds, plenty of seating areas, and great air conditioning.I highly recommend visiting the Louvre Abu Dhabi, but only if you're genuinely interested in history and art. There are plenty of other amazing attractions in Abu Dhabi that you might enjoy more.