QASR AL WATAN

Qasr Al Watan is a functional Presidential palace and a magnificent cultural monument that invites visitors from all over the globe to explore the UAE's rich heritage of knowledge and culture. This is more than simply a typical palace as it promotes cultural knowledge of the country and highlights its wonderful past.

The architecture and design of Qasr Al Watan echo the importance and purpose of the spectacular exhibitions and famous rooms contained inside its halls, creating an elegantly constructed homage to Arabian tradition and creativity.

Miral created, developed, and now manages the Qasr Al Watan Experience. Visitors of the Qasr Al Watan acquire a better grasp of the UAE's governing traditions and principles, as well as a better appreciation of the UAE's well preserved history and heritage. Tourists may look at a wide assortment of antiquities and manuscripts that showcase the Arab world's advances in science, the arts, the humanities, and literature. The Palace also provides you with a once in a lifetime chance to marvel at towering passageways that are likely to leave you speechless, visit exhibitions that highlight the region's rich Arabic history, and learn more about the monarchs and government institutions that formed our wonderful nation.

It also houses the Qasr Al Watan Library, which stores a large variety of books and materials concerning the UAE, allowing academics to study about the country's growth. Every night, the "Palace in Motion" light and sound display is projected onto the building's façade, and is a tribute to Miral's devotion to creating immersive experiences.

Highlights

• Visit the Presidential Palace complex in Abu Dhabi and view Qasr Al Watan, the city's finest cultural icon.
• The magnificent Great Hall and treasure filled House of Knowledge are an exceptionally well crafted homage to Arabian civilization.
• With admission to the Palace in Motion light display, see the entire palace come to life after a desert sunset.
• Wander the fascinating Great Hall, admiring the intricate mosaic patterns and arching archways, which are examples of traditional Emirati architecture.
• See a 3,50,000-crystal chandelier and stand where the fate of a whole area is determined.

How To Reach

The area is around 150 kilometers from Dubai and is easily accessible through the E11 and Al Shahama - Abu Dhabi Rd/Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan St/E10.

Take the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Highway out of Abu Dhabi and turn left into 1st Street. Then take the second exit, turn right, and continue straight until you reach the meeting location.

Best Time To Visit

From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the Qasr Al Watan is open seven days a week. At 6:30 p.m., the last ticket for entry will be sold, and the palace doors will close at 7:00 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. , the Palace in Motion: Light and Sound performance begins. At 6:30 p.m the last ticket for the show will be available. The best time to visit Qasr Al Watan is during the summer months, when the number of tourists is at its peak. During the winter, the number decreases, and during the monsoon, it is at its lowest. As a result, it is recommended that you visit during the winter months when it is less busy.

Other Essential Information

Places to visit near Qasr Al Watan

1.Observation Deck at 300: The Observation Deck at 300, positioned on Level 74 of Tower 2, provides the best view of Abu Dhabi's metropolis, where visitors may enjoy delectable beverages and the city's best mark tea against a stunning backdrop.

2. Corniche Beach: Corniche Beach is one of the city's most popular beaches and tourist sites. It's known for its immaculate environment and unusual beach goer amenities including a library, numerous sports facilities, and more.

3. Marina Eye: The massive Marina Eye Ferris wheel, one of the most eye catching attractions on the Corniche Breakwater, offers panoramic views next to Marina Mall, one of the capital's finest retail malls.

4. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the nation's biggest mosques and the only one that depicts the distinct connections between Islam and other global civilizations, is stunning and inspirational. A visit to this beautiful piece of heritage is a must.

History of Qasr Al Watan

Sheikhs Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the UAE, and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, chose to open the palace to the public in 2019 to commemorate the national past. The palace was exclusively utilized for formal purposes prior to its opening, including entertaining foreign heads of state and sessions of the nation's supreme council and federal cabinet. The palace is still utilized for these reasons even after it has been opened to the public.

Sheikhs Mohammed bin Zayed and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, conducted an event to open the palace to the world on March 11, 2019. The palace was selected among the top 20 sites of art and culture of the nation by the tourism and tourist website Hotel and Rest in August. The Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace was shortlisted for the World Travel Awards in 2020 as the Middle East's most important cultural tourism destination.

Interior and Exterior Design of Qasr Al Watan 

When you explore Qasr Al Watan, you'll fall in love with Arab culture and architecture. The building, which is located inside the Presidential Palace complex, will astound you with its spectacular grandeur, rich lawns, and overall splendour. Learn about the country's history as you walk through its opulent halls. Soak yourself in their rich history and culture to gain a sense of their drive and determination. The ticket provides admission to the palace's grounds, Visitor Center, and all other displays and zones. The Palace in Motion performance, which combines lights and sound to narrate the narrative of the palace, is also available at night.

The predominantly white palace has an artistically constructed and ornately adorned façade composed of white granite and limestone. It has a 37-meter-diameter dome, a 350,000-piece crystal chandelier, and a variety of chambers. The dome is situated on top of the central room known as "The Great Hall," which is flanked on both sides by two wings. The "House of Knowledge" is located on the eastern wing, and it houses a variety of important relics and other artefacts. The halls in the western wing are utilised for formal functions.

Place to Eat near Qasr Al Watan 

1. Sayad - Sayad, a wonderful venue for family get togethers and social events, offers the gastronomic finery of Mediterranean cuisine. The menu tempts customers with a delectable selection of meals meant to be shared by discriminating diners in a lively setting all day.

2. Mezzaluna - Mezzaluna is designed to evoke the magnificent heritage of Northern Italian restaurants, with their tree lined lanes, rolling hills, and sun kissed fields, by welcoming each visitor as family and providing an authentically Italian dining experience. Mezzaluna provides hand-crafted regional Italian specialities and has been voted one of Abu Dhabi's top Italian restaurants on several occasions.

3. Kamoon - This amazing dining experience at Kamoon begins with the engaging ambience and magnificent views of the Arabian Gulf. Enjoy genuine Arabic cuisine cooked with the highest quality ingredients hand picked by the brilliant chef and his staff to provide you with an authentic Arabic dining experience.

4. Hakkasan - The 16,000 sq ft facility, which includes a restaurant, bar, and lounge as well as four private dining rooms, is divided by carved oak screens and latticing that recall the opulent furnishings of Hakkasan's London flagship restaurant.