GATE DXB / 28.10.2026
Ships, maps and scents: a day at Louvre Abu Dhabi
Published 28 October 2026. Visit the organiser’s website for visiting details.
Plan a visit to Saadiyat around one exhibition rather than trying to see an entire museum in a day. Spices and Wonders: Sailing the Indian Ocean is at Louvre Abu Dhabi until 14 February 2027, offering a different way to think about the water beyond the museum’s dome.
What to look for
The exhibition follows a thousand years of maritime connections between Africa, Asia and other parts of the world. Navigation, long voyages and travelling objects sit at the heart of the story. Trade routes also carried knowledge and cultural practices. Official exhibition information: https://www.louvreabudhabi.ae/en/exhibitions/spices-and-wonders-exhibition
More than 240 artworks and historical objects are on display. Highlights described by the museum include a manuscript by navigator Ibn Majid, six large ship models and an olfactory installation developed with Givaudan. Six raw scents and three blends inspired by historical recipes offer another way to approach the journeys behind the objects.
Organised with France’s Guimet museum, the exhibition also has a children’s trail with questions and facts. For a family visit, choosing a few subjects, such as ships, maps or scents, may be more manageable than trying to cover every room. Official press materials: https://www.louvreabudhabi.ae/about-us/pressroom
Planning a trip from Dubai
Louvre Abu Dhabi is in the Saadiyat Cultural District. The museum’s directions from Dubai follow the E11 and then the E12 towards Saadiyat. Travel time varies with your starting point and traffic.
- Adult admission, age 18+: AED 70, including VAT.
- Under-18s: free admission under the museum’s rules.
- Galleries and exhibitions: Monday–Thursday 10 am–6:30 pm; Friday–Sunday 10 am–8:30 pm.
- Last entry: 30 minutes before galleries and exhibitions close.
General admission includes the exhibitions and museum galleries. Check guided tours and special events separately. Confirm tickets and hours before travelling: https://www.louvreabudhabi.ae/en/buy-ticket
Leave time after the exhibition to walk beneath the dome. One exhibition, the museum’s architecture and a pause by the water can be enough for an unhurried day away from Dubai.