Highlights
- Working presidential palace open to visitors
- Great Hall beneath a 37-metre dome
- House of Knowledge manuscript collection
- Presidential Banquet hall
- Palace in Motion evening light show
- Formal gardens and waterfront setting
About this experience
Qasr Al Watan is part of the UAE Presidential Palace complex in Ras Al Akhdar and functions as a working seat of government that also opens to visitors. It was built to put Arabian architecture and craftsmanship on display rather than to imitate a European palace.
The Great Hall runs 100 metres square beneath a dome 37 metres across, finished in geometric tilework and mirrored detail. The House of Knowledge holds manuscripts and Arab contributions to science and astronomy, and the Presidential Banquet hall seats hundreds. After dark, Palace in Motion projects a light-and-sound show onto the palace facade. It is closed on Mondays.
Inclusions & exclusions
What's included
- Palace entry
- Great Hall, House of Knowledge and Presidential Banquet access
- Gardens access
Not included
- Guided tours
- Food and beverages
- Hotel transfers
- Parking
Good to know
Things to know
- Qasr Al Watan is the working Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi, opened to visitors.
- General admission covers the palace tour, the gardens, the Visitor Centre and all public zones and exhibitions within the palace and gardens.
- The Palace in Motion light show runs in the evening and is ticketed separately from general admission.
- There is a published dress code and it is enforced at the entrance.
Know before you go
- Clothing must cover both knees and shoulders. Shorts, sleeveless tops and see-through garments are not allowed.
- Wear comfortable closed shoes. Flip-flops and very casual footwear are not allowed.
- Non-commercial photography is welcome inside the palace.
- Free wheelchairs are available on site.
- The palace covers a lot of ground, so allow time for the gardens as well as the interior.
Health & safety
- Strict state security screening; professional tripod cameras, drones, and large luggage prohibited.
Voucher
Mobile voucher - Scan smartphone voucher directly at the Visitor Centre security turnstiles.
Meeting point
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Audio guide available
- Hearing loop
Presidential Palace halls, Great Hall, and Presidential banquet rooms are 100% step-free with complimentary wheelchair loan.
Operating hours
- Mon - Sun10 AM - 8 PM
Daily 10:00 to 20:00. Palace in Motion sound and light projection show scheduled in the evening (timings announced on-site and updated seasonally).
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation until a set number of hours before
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to visit date.
Activity details
- Intensity: Low
- Min age 0
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Tell us your dates and group size and we'll confirm availability for Qasr Al Watan.
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