Abu Dhabi—the art capital of the UAE

With the Louvre and Guggenheim slated to open in the coming year, Abu Dhabi is poised to take on the mantle of the art capital of the UAE. Saadiyat Island in particular has museums tracing the history of the emirate from a humble fishing village to its ultra-modern present-day avatar. The Barakat Gallery at the stunning Emirates Palace is a must see for history aficionados―the gallery showcases relics which are almost a millennium old. The cosmopolitan streak of Abu Dhabi makes it one of the foremost cities of the UAE and, over the years, it has been emerging as a city of many interests, art being one of them. The art world of Abu Dhabi is perhaps one of the most important in the Middle East, with numerous exhibitions being held every year. In Abu Dhabi, one can get a taste of various periods of art, through the galleries that exhibit some of the most renowned artists of the world. If you are passionate about art, you must visit the city’s many exhibitions. Then again, art is found everywhere in Abu Dhabi, in the tallest of buildings, the intricate works on Mosques, and the stunningly developed seashore. All you have to do is take notice.