Qasr Al Watan / Presidential Palace, Abu Dhabi - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 3 km from Emirates Palace and 39 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Qasr Al Watan is the Presidential palace in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. It is one of the architectural landmarks of Abu Dhabi and among the prime places to visit during Abu Dhabi Tour.

Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace is larger than life heritage structure which stands as a testimony of the United Arab Emirates and its leaders. The beauty of the palace is not just in its infrastructure but also in its reflective culture and governance. To celebrate the heritage of the country, Sheikhs Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates, and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces decided to open the palace to the public in 2019. Prior to its opening, the palace was used only for official purposes, namely hosting foreign leaders of states, and for meetings of the country's supreme council and the federal cabinet. In August 2019, the palace was named among the top 20 landmarks of art and culture in the World by the travel and tourism website of Hotel and Rest.

Qasr Al Watan is a contemporary palace built in the traditional Arabian style. The multi-functional palace made with white granite and limestone features a high level of artistry and craftsmanship in its features, in a tribute to the region's Arabian heritage. The facade of the Palace is constructed from granite and limestone built to last hundreds of years. Its white coloring was chosen to symbolize peace and purity while reflecting Gulf traditions of light-colored buildings to reflect heat. More than 5,000 geometric and floral patterns adorn palace surfaces.

The Great Hall is the prime attraction of Qasr Al Watan, drawing a considerable number of tourists around the year. Measuring 100 m long by 100 m wide, its main dome is one of the largest in the world, with a diameter of 37 m. It houses four art installations, a royal chandelier made with 350,000 pieces of crystal, mirrored cubes that reflect the intricate design detailing of the room. The 'Al Barza' majlis is the largest room in Qasr Al Watan after the Great Hall and can hold up to 300 guests. A majlis is used to formally welcome guests in the Emirati tradition that ensures leaders govern with the consensus of their people.

The 'House of Knowledge' is located in the east wing, where one can explore the palace's vast selection of rare artifacts and manuscripts. In honor of the 2019 UAE Year of Tolerance, three holy books - the Holy Quran, the Holy Bible and the book of David's Psalms are displayed together as a symbol of peaceful co-existence. There is also a library with more than 50,000 books that document the cultural, social and political history of the country. The western wing of the palace has halls which are used for official purposes. Here, there is a room known as the 'Spirit of Collaboration', which was designed to host meetings of the Federal Supreme Council, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Elsewhere, banquets for official events, besides diplomatic gifts from other countries, are kept.

One of the major attractions of the palace is its light and sound show, which depicts the history and growth of the UAE as a nation. This show has been divided into three acts - past, present, and future. There are two gift shops - one in the Visitor Centre and one in the main Palace, selling uniquely crafted gifts and souvenirs inspired by Qasr Al Watan. Also, there is an array of dining options for all tastes and budgets. 'Dhiyafat Qasr Al Watan' and 'Al Fowala' are sit-down restaurants in the main Palace area. If you'd prefer a cafe, try 'Maqha Al Maktaba' inside the library. For a simple option, 'Legma' is the grab-and-go outlet located in the visitor center, Zayed Gate and the main palace.

Timings: 10 AM - 8 PM, Light Show - 9 PM

Entry: AED. 60 for Adults, AED. 30 for Children (4 - 17 Years) & AED. 30 for Guided Tour