23 Aesthetically Pleasing Museums Where the Architecture is as Stunning as the Art

19. Louvre Abu Dhabi, UAE: Light as Architecture

Designed by Jean Nouvel, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is a hypnotic interplay of shadow and light. Its massive, filigreed dome casts a “rain of light” onto the galleries below, creating an almost spiritual ambiance. The building rises out of the Persian Gulf like a mirage, merging Islamic architectural motifs with futuristic vision. Each exhibit feels anchored by the space around it—whether surrounded by water, framed by light, or enveloped by silence. It’s not just a museum—it’s a sanctuary for art.