The UAE's working presidential palace: state halls and a 37-metre dome — 39 AED, kids 28.
from46 AED
Qasr Al Watan is Abu Dhabi's working presidential palace, part of which is open to visitors. It is not a reconstruction but a real residence that hosts state receptions and summits. Inside: the Great Hall under a 37-metre dome, a 12-tonne crystal chandelier, the Gulf Cooperation Council meeting room, and the House of Knowledge with rare manuscripts including Arab treatises on astronomy and medicine.
✨ What to expect
The white marble and limestone palace stands in the park of the presidential district. Allow an hour and a half to two hours; audio guides come in several languages. In the evening the façade hosts the 'Palace in Motion' light and sound show — if you arrive in the afternoon, it is worth waiting for dark.
👶 The child fare runs up to sixteen
Note the upper limit: here the child ticket applies from four up to sixteen, not up to twelve as at most UAE venues. For a family with teenagers that is a real difference. Under-fours go free.
👗 Dress code
Softer than at Sheikh Zayed Mosque, but cover shoulders and knees. No abaya is issued or required here — modest clothing is enough.
🗺 What to pair it with
The palace sits naturally in the same day as Sheikh Zayed Mosque: they are twenty minutes apart, and both are about the country's ceremonial face — one religious, one governmental. Adding the Louvre the same day is not advised: that visit runs two to three hours and the day turns into a race.
🚕 Getting there
Abu Dhabi, the presidential district. About an hour and a half by taxi from Dubai. If you would rather not drive yourself, we run a group Abu Dhabi tour that takes in both the palace and the mosque.
Worth settling before you buy
| Option | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Palace entry, any day | 46 AED | 29 AED |
Open date, the ticket is valid all day
Tickets are usually non-refundable after issue. Final terms are included in the voucher.
A genuine working residence hosting state functions; the ceremonial wing is open to visitors.
The Louvre is art and dome architecture; the palace is UAE grandeur and state life. The current ticket price is shown on the selected option.
About an hour and a half by taxi. Or our 'Abu Dhabi with Qasr Al Watan and lunch' group tour, which also takes in Sheikh Zayed Mosque — its current price is shown on that tour's own card.
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from 65 AEDChoose the option, date and number of guests in the app. Prices in AED; pay in cash or by card.