Emirates Palace
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi
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Photo: EditQ, CC0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- AED 65, ages 4–17 AED 30
- Hours
- Daily, about 10:00–17:00 — set month by month
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 2 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Status
- Open to visitors, tickets on sale (as of 03.11.2026)
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Adult ticket
- AED 65, Palace in Motion included
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Ages 4–17
- AED 30
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Ages 3 and under
- Free
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Light show only
- AED 25, children AED 12
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Dress code
- Shoulders and knees covered, no flip-flops
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Bags
- Max 50 × 35 cm, no lockers
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Re-entry
- Not allowed once you leave the palace building
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Where to buy
- Official website or the Visitor Centre ticket desk
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Parking
- Free at the Visitor Centre; valet AED 35
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Getting there
- Taxi from Qasr Al Hosn ≈ 10–15 min, or the free Experience Abu Dhabi shuttle
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Address
- Al Ras Al Akhdar, western tip of Abu Dhabi island
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
37 mdiameter of the dome over the Great Hall
2 sourcesi
English and Russian WikipediaThe National, 202611 March 2019the palace first opened to the public
2 sourcesi
English and Russian WikipediaThe National, 2026 (year of opening)Working palacehosts state visits and meetings of the Federal Supreme Council and the UAE Cabinet
2 sourcesi
English and Russian WikipediaQasr Al Watan official website350,000crystal pieces in the Spirit of Collaboration chandelier
2 sourcesi
English and Russian WikipediaThe National, 202650,000+books and documents in the palace library
2 sourcesi
English and Russian WikipediaThe National, 20262017construction completed (Wikidata gives 2015)
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English and Russian WikipediaPresidential Giftsan exhibition of gifts presented to UAE leaders
2 sourcesi
Qasr Al Watan official websiteThe National, 2026Power of Wordssculptures by Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej
2 sourcesi
English WikipediaThe National, 2026Al Ras Al Akhdarthe district at the western end of the Corniche
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Qasr Al Watan official websiteVisit Abu DhabiQasr Al Watan tickets and prices
An adult ticket is AED 65, a junior ticket (ages 4–17) is AED 30 and children 3 and under go free. It covers every open hall, the gardens, the library and the evening Palace in Motion show. A show-only ticket is AED 25 (children AED 12). Children 11 and under must be with a ticketed adult.
Buy on the official Qasr Al Watan website — the e-ticket arrives by email and you can show it on your phone — or at the Visitor Centre desk. Tickets are dated, non-refundable and single-entry. Online payment is by bank card; a guided tour can be added at the gate.
Opening hours and Palace in Motion times
The palace is open every day, with no weekly closing day. For November 2026 ticket partners list 10am–5pm, while some guides give 11am–6:30pm — treat both as unofficial, because the official calendar only loads in a browser. Last entry is at closing time, but you need about two hours inside, so arrive by 3pm.
After sunset the façade becomes the screen for Palace in Motion, a light and sound show of about 15 minutes, starting around 7:45–8pm; the time moves with the seasons. Show entry closes 30 minutes before it starts. Times change during Ramadan and public holidays, when the show may not run.
How to get to Qasr Al Watan
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Emirates Palace is about 21 min away on foot.
More tips
- Abu Dhabi has no metro. From Qasr Al Hosn downtown, a taxi takes about 10–15 minutes west along the Corniche.
- For free, take the Experience Abu Dhabi tourist shuttle: route A2 runs from the Qasr Al Hosn stop to Qasr Al Watan. No ticket — you scan a QR code on board. Check the timetable on Visit Abu Dhabi.
- Everyone arrives at the Visitor Centre: ticket desk, free parking and an airport-style security check. Bags must fit 50 × 35 cm, and there are no lockers.
- A free palace shuttle runs from the Visitor Centre to the palace entrance in a few minutes.
- Inside: the Great Hall, the east and west wings, the library and gardens. Staying for the show? Stay put — once you leave the building there's no way back in.
Is Qasr Al Watan worth visiting?
Yes, if you like architecture and grand interiors: nothing else in Abu Dhabi matches the scale of the Great Hall and its 37-metre dome. It is not a historic building, though — it was finished in 2017 and opened to the public on 11 March 2019. For genuine old Abu Dhabi, start at Qasr Al Hosn and save the palace for an afternoon that runs into the light show.
With one day in the city, put the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque first; Qasr Al Watan is the strongest second pick, especially if you want an evening plan.
What to see inside
- The Great Hall under its 37-metre dome — the shot everyone comes for.
- The Spirit of Collaboration chamber, with a chandelier of 350,000 crystal pieces, where summits and Cabinet meetings take place.
- The Presidential Gifts exhibition — objects presented to UAE leaders by visiting delegations.
- The Qasr Al Watan Library, with more than 50,000 books on the history and culture of the country and region.
- Mattar bin Lahej's Power of Words sculptures by the Great Hall and in the gardens.
- The gardens and façade at sunset, then Palace in Motion on the palace walls.
Where is Qasr Al Watan?
It stands in Al Ras Al Akhdar, at the western tip of Abu Dhabi island where the Corniche ends, next door to Emirates Palace. The palace sits inside the secured presidential compound, so every visitor goes through the Visitor Centre rather than the palace gates.
Don't come straight from Zayed International Airport (AUH) with luggage: suitcases won't get through security. Leave luggage at your hotel or at the airport.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
Qasr Al Watan or Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
| Qasr Al Watanyou are here | Working presidential palace | AED 65, ages 4–17 AED 30 | Palace in Motion light show | State halls, gifts, library |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque | The country's main working mosque | AED 10 tourist fee since September 2026 | — | Prayer hall and courtyards |
Only one day in Abu Dhabi? The mosque comes first. Make the palace your second day or your evening with the show.
Abu Dhabi palaces compared
Abu Dhabi's palaces rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Emirates Palace | 41 | 45 min | Free entry; gold cappuccino AED 90 | 20 min walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qasr Al Hosn | 38 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ AED 30, under-18s free | 5.5 km |
| Qasr Al Watanyou are here | 35 | 2 h | AED 65, ages 4–17 AED 30 | — |
Old downtown, the Corniche and the palace in a day
Qasr Al Hosn in the morning, a walk along the Corniche past Emirates Palace, the palace by 3pm and the light show on its walls after dark. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Qasr Al Hosn1 h 15 min · ≈ AED 30, under-18s free
- 30 min walk from the previous stopAbu Dhabi Corniche1 h 30 min · Free; family beach sections AED 10
- 48 min walk from the previous stopEmirates Palace45 min · Free entry; gold cappuccino AED 90
- 20 min walk from the previous stopQasr Al Watanyou are here2 h · AED 65, ages 4–17 AED 30
4 places · about 7 h 8 min with walks · 98 min on foot in total
Nearby and on your route
How to do it right
- Arrive around 3pm: you see the halls in daylight and then catch the light show on the same ticket.
- Pack a scarf or light layer — the easy way to meet the dress code if you're in summer clothes for the rest of the day.
- Shoot the Great Hall from the entrance while the whole dome still fits in frame; your phone's wide-angle lens helps.
- Eat beforehand: the cafés inside are closed and outside food isn't allowed.
- Driving? Parking at the Visitor Centre is free, so skip the valet.
Questions
How much are Qasr Al Watan tickets?
AED 65 for adults and AED 30 for ages 4–17; children 3 and under are free. The ticket includes the Palace in Motion show.
Is Qasr Al Watan open now?
Yes — as of 3 November 2026 it is open and selling tickets. It closes during state visits, so check the official site the day before.
What are Qasr Al Watan opening hours?
Daily; in November 2026 roughly 10am–5pm (unofficial), with last entry at closing time. Hours change month by month — check the official calendar.
What is the dress code at Qasr Al Watan?
Shoulders and knees covered; no shorts, sleeveless tops, see-through clothes or flip-flops. The palace rules say nothing about headscarves.
What time is Palace in Motion?
Every evening after sunset, around 7:45–8pm, for about 15 minutes. Be there 30 minutes early — entry closes then.
How do I get to Qasr Al Watan?
Taxi (about 10–15 minutes from downtown) or the free Experience Abu Dhabi shuttle to the Visitor Centre, then the free palace shuttle to the entrance.
How long do you need at Qasr Al Watan?
About two hours for the halls, library and gardens; add an hour if you stay for the evening show.
Is Qasr Al Watan worth it?
Yes for architecture and interiors on a huge scale. It's a modern building, so for real history pick Qasr Al Hosn — and if you have one day only, do the Grand Mosque first.
Can you take photos inside Qasr Al Watan?
Yes, personal photos and video are allowed everywhere. You can't film security staff, wearable cameras are banned and tripods must be under 15 inches.
Can I bring luggage to Qasr Al Watan?
No. Bags larger than 50 × 35 cm are refused and there are no lockers, so leave suitcases at your hotel or the airport.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Qasr Al Watan official website (qasralwatan.ae): tickets, terms, visitor rules, dress code, getting here, 03.11.2026
- Visit Abu Dhabi (Department of Culture and Tourism): junior and show-only prices, 03.11.2026
- English and Russian Wikipedia: Qasr Al Watan; Wikidata Q61973220
- The National, August 2026 — the halls, dome, chandelier and library
- Property Finder, February 2026 — Experience Abu Dhabi shuttle routes
- Headout, Ticket Fairy — opening hours and show times (unofficial)
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