Saadiyat Island lies about 15 km from central Abu Dhabi and has become the emirate's main cultural address, with a museum district, beaches and hotels. The island is divided into 7 districts.
Besides the museums, Saadiyat has a long sandy beach, Kai Beach (the island's former public beach), and resort hotels with their own beaches.
What to see on the island
Louvre Abu Dhabi. The island's main museum opened in 2017: a collection where masterpieces from East and West stand side by side, in Jean Nouvel's building under a lattice dome. It is not a branch of the Paris Louvre: the name is licensed for 30 years, and French museums lend some of the works.
Zayed National Museum and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi are the Cultural District's new museums, easy to combine with the Louvre on a joint museums pass.
Manarat Al Saadiyat is a visitor and exhibition centre about the history of the emirate and the island. Next to it is the UAE Pavilion, shaped like golden sand dunes: it was built for Expo 2010 in Shanghai and then shipped here in parts.
How to get there
Sheikh Khalifa Highway (E12) links the mainland to the island. A taxi or car is the easiest option. From Dubai, the free Cultural Express bus runs to the Louvre — see the Louvre page for details.
Tips before you go
Allow a whole day for the museums, and keep the evening for a walk under the Louvre dome or on the beach.
Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi · 24.542698, 54.433395
