Visiting Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace

What is Qasr Al Watan?

Qasr Al Watan, "Palace of the Nation" in Arabic, is part palace, part museum. Its halls host state meetings and receptions, and visitors see the rooms used for them. The general ticket covers:

• the Great Hall;
• the Presidential Gifts hall;
• the Qasr Al Watan library.

The complex covers 380,000 m².

When was Qasr Al Watan built?

Construction ran from 2010 to 2017, and the palace opened to visitors on 11 March 2019.

What you see inside Qasr Al Watan

The palace site names these parts of the visit. The ticket page lists the Great Hall, the Presidential Gifts hall and the library; the other areas are described on the palace's own pages.

• The Great Hall. The central space under the palace's main dome, about 37 m across.
• Spirit of Collaboration. The meeting room used for the UAE's Federal Supreme Council, built as a circular room so that everyone seated can see each other. It is used for state meetings.
• House of Knowledge. The palace library in the east wing, with rare manuscripts and artifacts on the Arab world's contributions to science, the arts and literature. In 2019, the UAE's Year of Tolerance, the Quran, the Bible and the Psalms were displayed side by side here.
• Presidential Gifts. Gifts given to the UAE's leaders on state visits, from carpets to armor. The collection changes, so we don't list pieces.
• Palace Garden and Al Barza. The site names both as parts of the visit; check the palace's pages for what is open on your date.

Because it is a working palace, check the palace's pages for what is open on your date.

Qasr Al Watan facts

• Name. Qasr Al Watan means "Palace of the Nation".
• Built. 2010 to 2017; opened to visitors on 11 March 2019.
• Size. The complex covers 380,000 m².
• Great Hall dome. About 37 m across and about 60 m above the ground, according to press reports.
• Use. It is a working palace: it hosts state meetings and official receptions, which is why hours can change.

Qasr Al Watan tickets and prices

Tickets are sold online on qasralwatan.ae. As of October 2026:

Check the age bands for child tickets, and whether the show is included on your date, on the booking page. We found no combined ticket with the Saadiyat museums on the official site.

Qasr Al Watan opening hours

The palace opens daily, but it is a working palace, so its hours change and sometimes at short notice. Sources we checked give different schedules, so we don't publish hours here: check the official opening-hours page (qasralwatan.ae) on the day you go, or call the contact center on +971 600 544 442.

According to the palace, last entry to the palace is at closing time, and last entry to Palace in Motion is 30 minutes before the show starts.

Palace in Motion light show

Palace in Motion is a light and sound show of about 15 minutes, projected onto the palace's facade after dark. In three acts, it tells the story of the country's past, present and vision for the future.

The start time changes through the year, and the palace publishes it on its opening-hours page; check it before you go. Arrive at least 30 minutes early: entry closes then, and places are limited. If you are going for the show, book the evening slot and use the hours before it for the halls.

Dress code and visitor rules

Wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders. Shorts, sleeveless tops and see-through clothes are not allowed. Comfortable shoes are required; flip-flops and very casual footwear are not allowed. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has its own, stricter code; see our Grand Mosque guide. Local dress rules in general are in our Abu Dhabi travel tips.

What else the palace's visitor information says:

• Photos. Non-commercial photography is allowed in most areas, but not with wearable devices such as smart glasses, and not of security staff or systems. Tripods are allowed only if they are no taller than 15 inches. Commercial filming needs permission in advance.
• Security. The check is like an airport's: remove metal objects and put electronics in your bag. Bags larger than 500 × 350 mm do not go through the scanner.
• Not allowed inside. Food and drinks other than bottled water, knives and scissors of any kind, long umbrellas, alcohol, bicycles, skateboards and pets.
• Getting around. Wheelchairs are free. Strollers can be rented. Restrooms, prayer rooms and first aid are on the grounds.

Nearby: Emirates Palace and Etihad Towers

Qasr Al Watan stands next to Emirates Palace, the Mandarin Oriental hotel that opened in 2005, and the Etihad Towers are a short drive away along the seafront. The hotel is a landmark in its own right, even from the outside. The Observation Deck at 300, on the 74th floor of the towers, has a ticket of AED 95 (≈ $26), part of which you can spend in the café. Together with the Corniche, these are the quickest additions to a palace visit; see things to do in Abu Dhabi.

How long to allow

Ticket sellers suggest about three hours for the palace halls. If you stay for Palace in Motion, add the time until the show.

A full day in the city from Saadiyat: the Grand Mosque in the morning, Qasr Al Watan in the afternoon and Palace in Motion after dark. More ideas in things to do in Abu Dhabi.

Getting there from Saadiyat Island and the Grand Mosque

Qasr Al Watan is in Al Ras Al Akhdar, on the western tip of Abu Dhabi island, next to Emirates Palace. Visitors enter through the Visitor Centre; the ticket includes a free shuttle and parking.

• From Saadiyat: by taxi, about 15–20 min; from the Louvre Abu Dhabi, about 15–20 min.
• From the Grand Mosque: take a taxi; the palace is across the city, on the far side of Abu Dhabi island.
• By car: parking at the Visitor Centre is free; valet parking costs AED 35 (≈ $10).
• From the airport: see our Abu Dhabi airport guide.

For an easy half-day trip to the palace, stay on the island: see Saadiyat hotels.