Qasr Al-Watan – The Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi
Qasr Al-Watan quite lieterally means The Presidential palace. It is located in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.
It took more than 150 million man hours and millions of dollars to simply erect Qaṣr Al-Waṭan. It is touted as a celebration of the heritage of UAE. There are thousands of Arabic motifs and designs, geometric patterns and floral designs that adorn the Palace.
The Sheikhs Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi) and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Deputy Supreme Commander of Armed Forces of the UAE and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi) spent between 2010 and 2017 to supervise and create this monument. It was opened publicly in 2019.
Before its opening, Qaṣr Al-Waṭan was used to host international leaders of world and official events and meetings of the country’s supreme council and federal cabinet. Despite it being open to the public, these events and meets continue to this day.
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Visit Timings of Qasr Al-Watan:
Ticketing Counter at Qasr Al-Watan
Palace Tickets: 10am-7pm
Palace in Motion ONLY: 6.30pm-7.30pm
Plan your visit to be there at 7:30 pm, to experience the ‘Palace in Motion’, an eye-catching 15-minute exposition. This is a Light and sound projection on the palace walls, recalling the story behind Qasr Al Watan in 3 acts, the past, the present and the future of the United Arab Emirates.
It is advisable to find out if the Qasr Al-Watan may be closed for restoration or official visits.
Otherwise the timings are as follows
Palace and Exhibition closure: 7.15pm
Qasr al Watan: 10am – 8pm
Library: 10am – 7pm
Restaurants at Qasr Al-Watan
Legma – Retail: 10am-7.30pm
Al Fowala: 10.30am-7pm
Diyafat – Retail: 12pm-7pm
Retail Stores at Qasr Al-Watan
Visitor Centre: 10am-8.30pm
Qasr al Watan Gift Shop: 10am-7.30pm
Location of Qasr Al-Watan:
Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi 001 United Arab Emirates.
How to reach Qasr Al-Watan? Well, simply take the Bus number 10 and 34 and get off at the Presidential Palace Abu Dhabi.
Ticket Price to Qasr Al-Watan:
Palace tickets and garden tickets for adults: AED 60 and, for Children: AED 30.
You may pick the same at the Qasr Al Watan entrance and request for a guided tour. Only Garden ticket price for adults is AED 25 and for Children AED 12.
Tickets once bought cannot be cancelled however you can use the same in the coming three months.
Required time to explore Qasr Al-Watan:
It could take from 3-5 hours to move around the palace unless you are an enthusiast of the Arabic architecture then the day is not enough.
What to expect at Qasr Al-Watan
Qasr Al Watan is a prime example of contemporary unit built in a traditional Arabian style. It highlights a very high level of craftsmanship and artistry and is a tribute to the region’s Arabian heritage. Such detailing and ornate designs cannot be made in a day. It took more than a decade.
The ‘Al Barza’ majlis, a 300 capacity hall is the largest room in Qasr Al Watan. This majlis is used to formally welcome guests & heads of states in the unique Emirati tradition. A 5-minute multimedia show on the history of the majlis and the UAE is not to be missed item on the trip.
If you think you have seen enough, then you must check out the 100 metres by 100 metres Great Hall, the architectural heart of Qasr Al Watan. Its prime dome is one of the biggest in the globe, with a diameter of 37 metres. It is home to 4 art installations, mirrored cubes detailing the intricate design of the palace.
Things to do at Qasr Al-Watan Palce
The Qasr Al-Watan has its own fully equipped library with books on a variety of subjects including archaeology, humanities, administration, biographies, statistics, literature, history, culture, heritage, memoirs, human and social sciences, arts, etc.
The Qasr Al-Watan has its own gift shops with high quality memoirs and exclusive merchandise from the palace.
If nothing, simply marvel at the well maintained and manicured lush green gardens surrounding the palace.
Things to remember while visiting Qasr Al-Watan
- There is a valet parking available at the parking for visitors.
- There are also wheelchairs available on request.
- Certain dimensions of luggage is not allowed.
- Mobile phones have to be kept silent while visiting the Qasr Al-Watan.
Image Reference
- Image 1 – mufaddalap / PixaBay
- Image 2 – Xavier Cartron / Wikimedia Commons
- Image 3 – Stan Madoré / PixaBay
