The Qasr Al Watan Palace in Abu Dhabi

• Explore the Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi
• Qasr Al Watan Location
• Qasr Al Watan Tickets
• Qasr Al Watan Timings
• FAQs

Looking to take a trip to the Qasr Al Watan Palace in Abu Dhabi? MyBayut is here to give you a sneak peek into everything this landmark has to offer. Discover all the impressive sights and exhibits at the Qasr Al Watan Palace in Abu Dhabi. Here’s what you can expect during your visit to this magnificent part of the grand presidential palace.

What’s inside Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi

The Qasr Al Watan Palace is one of the most popular places to visit in the UAE’s capital. It is part of Abu Dhabi’s Presidential Palace grounds that has been converted into a public space.

Visitors can explore exhibits that represent and preserve the Arab intellectual legacy and cultural heritage. If you plan to visit, here are the most spectacular things you will see at the Qasr Al Watan Palace in Abu Dhabi.

1. The Great Hall

As soon as you enter the through the massive archways of the palace, you will be welcomed into the breathtaking Great Hall. Ornate with complex gold and earth-toned architectural details that are sprawled over the interiors.

The Great Hall itself is one of the most amazing things to see at Qasr Al Watan. But the grandeur of the great hall doesn’t end there; there is a massive 37-metre-diameter dome featuring intricate patterns that you could stare at all day.

2. The ‘POWER OF WORDS’ Art Installation

Just as you’re exploring The Great Hall, you will stumble upon a beautiful gold structure called the ‘Power Of Words’. Designed by local artist Mattar Bin Lahej, this installation features interlaced words from an Arabic quote by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayan that says “Wealth is not money or oil, wealth lies in people and it is worthless if not dedicated to serve the people.”

The ornate presentation of the great founding father is one of the four art installations in The Great Hall. A perfect Insta-friendly spot, you can even go into the installation and get a shot of yourself inside it.

3. Over 50,000 books at the Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Library

Once you finish exploring the grandeur of The Great Hall, the next spot you’ll want to head to is the Qasr Al Watan Library. The library features an extensive collection of 50,000 titles ranging from disciplines like science to literature about the UAE.

There are other literary resources such as dissertations, research articles, newspapers and magazines, as well as e-books, audio and visual content at the Qasr Al Watan Library. This is a unique addition to the list of public libraries in Abu Dhabi and is a great place for bibliophiles to read to their heart’s content.

4. Diplomatic Gifts to the UAE

One of the major exhibits at Qasr Al Watan is the room on the east wing which hosts diplomatic gifts that were exchanged with the UAE as a symbol of good relations with other nations. Some of the items you will find here include vases, daggers, swords and ‘Kiswah’ that drapes the Holy Kaaba which was gifted to UAE by Saudi Arabia. 

5. The “Spirit of Collaboration” room 

Next on the list of exhibits at the Qasr Al Watan Palace is the “Spirit of Collaboration” room on the west wing. This room is the official meeting place for the Cabinet and the Federal Supreme Council of the UAE. It is also used to host official summits such as the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

One of the most notable items you can get to see in this room is a mammoth chandelier ornate with over 25,000 crystals.  It is so big that it actually has a staircase which can fit one person if any maintenance is required.

 6. The Setup of Tables at the Presidential Banquet Hall

The Qasr Al Watan also gives a glimpse look into the famed Emirati hospitality through the banquet hall. You get to find out about the types of dishes served in traditional banquet as well as the sets of unique pieces of silver, crystal and china that are used. 

7. The Magnificent Majlis 

The Majlis called the Al Barza is another must see if you visit this section of the presidential palace. When you’re here, make sure to carefully examine the details of all the interiors because each symbol and design represents a significant aspect of the UAE. The symbols on the ceiling represent interwoven hands and the high columns were inspired by the waves lapping at the shores of the UAE.

8. Ancient Manuscripts in The House Of Knowledge 

‘The House of Knowledge’ is another one of the rooms in Qasr Al Watan where visitors get the chance to see some of the rarest books and manuscripts as well as historic works of calligraphy that are dated centuries back. 

9. THE PALACE LIGHT SHOW 

After you’ve explored all the fascinating rooms in Qasr Al Watan, make sure to wait for the ‘The Palace In Motion’ light show that takes place at 7:30 pm. The 14-minute show features a three-act story of the UAE’s past, present and future using a dazzling array of audio and visual elements. 

• Tickets:
  • From AED 25 (adults)
  • From AED 12 (Junior) aged 4 to 17-years-old
  • Free for kids 3-years-old and below

Dining and Shopping at Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi

While exploring the palace, enjoy delicious snacks and beverages at the Diyafa restaurant located at the exit of the Qasr Al Watan. Moreover, you can shop for souvenirs to take back home from the spectacular gift shop.

More Information On The Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace

If you plan to visit the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi, here is some additional information to help you plan your trip. 

• Qasr Al Watan provides wheelchairs for people of determination and elderly visitors. 
• Photography with mobile phones and DSLR cameras is allowed, but only for non-commercial use. 
• No outside food and beverages, except water and baby food, is allowed into the palace.
• Prayer rooms for both men and women are available. 
• You can also find souvenir shops and restaurants in Qasr Al Watan, located in the Mail Hall area.

What is the Qasr Al Watan Location

Qasr Al Watan Palace is located within the Presidential Palace complex in Abu Dhabi, near Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. It can easily be found on Google Maps.

If you are travelling from Dubai, the drive takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes via Sheikh Zayed Road (E11). From most areas within Abu Dhabi, the journey takes around 20 to 30 minutes.

Visitors must park at the visitor car park and take a shuttle bus to the palace entrance. Valet parking is also available for an additional fee.

Qasr Al Watan Palace Tickets 

There are two types of tickets available: Peak and Off-Peak. The ticket prices for the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi are as follows:

Qasr Al Watan Peak Ticket price: Adult: From AED 80 | Junior: From AED 40

It includes:

• Entry to Qasr Al Watan during operating hours
• Palace in Motion show
• Complimentary shuttle bus
• Free Wi-Fi
• Free parking

Qasr Al Watan Off-Peak Ticket price: Adult: From AED 65 | Junior: From AED 30

It includes:

• Entry to Qasr Al Watan, but access is restricted from 01:00 pm to 04:00 pm
• Palace in Motion show
• Complimentary shuttle bus
• Free Wi-Fi
• Free parking

The tickets for the Qasr Al Watan give you access to all the public spaces within the Palace and Gardens.

If you plan to visit with a guided tour, the prices are in conjunction with the entry ticket. 

• 30-minute Guided Tour: AED 20 per visitor
• Audio Guided Qasr Al Watan Palace Tour available in 5 languages: AED 20 per visitor

Tickets can be purchased on-site directly at the ticketing booth. However, since visiting the palace is one of the most popular things to do in Abu Dhabi, we recommend that you purchase your ticket online to avoid any long queues. People of determination receive complimentary access plus one companion.

FAQs

Is Qasr Al Watan open to the public?

Yes, it’s been open to the public since 2019.

What are the Qasr Al Watan timings?

The Qasr Al Watan timings are from 10:00 am to 05:40 pm. Make sure to arrive there before that so that you have enough time to explore the entire palace.

What is the Qasr Al Watan contact number?

For any further queries, you can contact Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi via their contact centre on +971-600-544-442 or email contact@qasralwatan.ae.

That concludes this guide and review of the Qasr Al Watan Palace. If you’d like to explore similar attractions and landmarks in Abu Dhabi that are architecturally and culturally inspiring, check out the exhibits at Louvre Abu Dhabi. 

For all those looking to live in the capital city, make sure to check out Bayut’s listing for rental properties in Abu Dhabi. As for those looking to invest here, we’ve got the best properties for sale in Abu Dhabi too.