A working presidential palace, Qasr Al Watan is not only an iconic Abu Dhabi landmark but it also provides residents and tourists with an opportunity to learn more about Arab cultural heritage and history, as well as Emirati governance principles.

If, like us, you are interested in the ins-and-outs of palace life, you can join one of the daily tours of Qasr Al Watan.

Here’s all you need to know about visiting the Presidential Palace.

Jump to:

• What is Qasr Al Watan?
• Opening hours
• What to see and do
• Palace in Motion
• Qasr Al Watan ticket prices
• How to get to Qasr Al Watan

Everything you need to know about Qasr Al Watan

What is Qasr Al Watan?

Qasr Al Watan is a working Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.

A magnificent structure featuring a façade of white granite and limestone, as well as a dome with a 37-metre diameter, construction on the palace finished in 2017, after which it was used purely for official purposes.

To celebrate the heritage of the UAE, the venue was opened to the public in March 2019.

Today, the multi-purpose building is still used for government events, including hosting foreign dignitaries, as well as educational activities and tours.

Qasr Al Watan opening hours

Qasr Al Watan is open to the public daily from 11am to 6.30pm. That said, as it is a working palace, timings can change, so it is best to check the palace’s timetable before you set off.

You can check the updated timetable here.

What to see and do at Qasr Al Watan

Visitors are able to explore a host of facilities and attractions during their visit, including the extensive gardens, The Great Hall, visitors centre, courtyard, and more.

In the evening a sound and light show, titled Palace in Motion, which celebrates the culture and heritage of the UAE, brings the outside of the building to life.

Although you do not have to join a palace tour when visiting, we highly recommend you do to gain the most from your visit.

Zones

For ease of navigation, the palace has different zones to explore, these are:

Media Room

Palace tours start in the media room where visitors can enjoy a special photo opportunity.

The Great Hall

A testament of traditional Arabian craftsmanship and artistry. The Great Hall is an architectural marvel. Take your time to study all the architectural details in the room.

Presidential gifts & souvenirs

Here, visitors can see some of the most unique gifts the UAE has received from other countries.

The Presidential Banquet

Ever wondered where and how the president entertains? Well, now you will know. Visitors to The Presidential Banquet will be able to study the space up close (including the silver, china, and crystal used for the table settings) and learn all about the customs, protocols, and cuisine of a presidential soiree.

Spirit of Collaboration

The meeting place of the Federal Supreme Council, the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council, in this circular hall visitors will learn more about diplomacy and protocol.

Al Barza

First opened to the public in February 2022, Al Barza is the second largest space in the Presidential Palace. Here, you’ll learn about the traditional role of the majlis, which is a designated space for cultural, political and social gatherings.

Presidential meeting room

Official state visits and other meetings are held here.

Qasr Al Watan Library

Here, you can explore 50,000 books that preserve and share centuries of Arabian knowledge and culture. The library is open to visitors of all ages.

The Power of Words

If you’ve looked at Qasr Al Watan on Instagram, you’ll no doubt already be familiar with the spectacular sculpture The Power of Words by Mattar Bin Lahej.

The golden calligraphy piece has taken the words of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding father, and turned them into a beautiful piece of art.

The quote used reads, “Wealth is not money or oil; wealth lies in people and it is worthless if not dedicated to serve the people.”

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House of Knowledge

This exhibition consists of a number of valuable artefacts and manuscripts that show the contributions of Arabian scholars on various fields, including astronomy, art, literature, and more.

To help you navigate the different areas, you can also download the handy palace map here.

Palace in Motion

One of the best things to do at Qasr Al Watan is watch the Palace in Motion light show.

Taking place at 8pm nightly, the light show sees the story of the UAE projected onto the side of the building.

Qasr al Watan ticket prices

If you plan on visiting Qasr Al Watan, you will have to purchase a ticket online prior to your arrival.

General admission ticket prices start at Dhs30 for juniors (kids aged four to 17) and Dhs65 for adults depending on the date. This includes access to the Qasr Al Watan Tour, the gardens, visitor centre, and all the zones, exhibitions, and public spaces, as well as the Palace in Motion show.

In addition to your general admission ticket, you can also purchase an Architectural Craftsmanship Tour ticket to explore all the beautiful details of the palace such as the 149,000 unique pieces of silver, crystal, and china that were used in the construction of the Presidential Banquet or the chandelier made out of 350,000 pieces of crystal, for Dhs20.

Alternatively, you can choose to only purchase a ticket to see the Palace in Motion show, priced at Dhs12 for kids and Dhs25 for adults.

How to get there

The palace is situated on the Corniche (next to Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi) in Abu Dhabi and can be reached via car (there’s ample free parking and a valet parking service for an additional Dhs35) and taxi.

You can also reach the palace by bus. DCT Abu Dhabi and Visit Abu Dhabi run free shuttle buses to the city’s top tourist attractions, including Qasr Al Watan, which is on Route A.

All you will need to do to qualify for a complimentary ride is show your valid palace entrance ticket on the day.

For more info on the Experience Abu Dhabi Shuttle Bus service, click here.

If you are coming from Dubai, you can catch the complimentary Cultural Express shuttle bus to Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan from Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel. For more info, click here.

Dos and Don’ts

As Qasr Al Watan is a working palace, it’s important to note the following when visiting:

• Do wear appropriate apparel that covers shoulders and knees.
• Photography for non-commercial purposes are allowed but remember that you cannot take pictures of people without their permission.
• Mobile phones must be switched to silent mode.
• No smoking is allowed outside of the designated smoking area.
• Food and drinks can only be consumed in restaurant areas and in the gardens. No snacks or drinks will be allowed into the palace.
• No pets are allowed on the grounds.

Dhs25 (palace in motion, adults), Dhs65 (entry, adults), Dhs20 (architectural craftsmanship tour, entry ticket required), Dhs12 (palace in motion, kids), Dhs30 (entry, kids four to 17). Open daily 11am-6.30pm. Corniche, Abu Dhabi, qasralwatan.ae (600 544 442).

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