Qasr Al Watan

Qasr Al Watan – impressive, but crowded and restrictive Qasr Al Watan is an interesting place to visit, but be prepared. Compared to my first visit, things have changed a lot. I went again during the Christmas season, and it was extremely crowded. We waited at least one hour just to get in. Dress code matters. Do not wear anything that could be considered too short or too revealing. If your outfit doesn’t meet their standards, you can be refused entry, no discussion. The palace itself is huge and very impressive architecturally. Visually, it’s powerful and worth seeing. However, the experience involves a lot of waiting and moving through long lines, which takes away from the visit. Once you’re done, you leave the site by shuttle bus that takes you back to the exit area or parking. Logistics are well organized, but it still feels very controlled. Bottom line: worth visiting for the architecture and symbolism, but expect crowds, strict rules, and patience-testing queues, especially during peak season.

An absolute must visit if you’re in Abu Dhabi. The architecture is absolutely spectacular, with gigantic sweeping entrances and gigantic beautiful domes. There’s lots to see and do, from exploring the exhibits to wandering the perfectly manicured gardens. Entry and the security were easy and efficient, and I would recommend buying tickets in advance as you’ll save time queuing. Overall, we spent around 2 hours exploring, but you could spend a lot more if you delved into all the exhibits in detail.

Qasr Al Watan is truly impressive, grand, perfectly symmetrical, and surprisingly peaceful. The architecture is exceptionally detailed, with a strong sense of balance and proportion that makes the space feel calm despite its scale. We visited the banquet halls, library, and Gift Room. The Gift Room was my personal highlight, a fascinating collection of diplomatic gifts from countries around the world, each reflecting cultural exchange and international relations. The gardens are beautifully maintained and offer a quiet contrast to the palace interiors. Photos speak for itself! Highly recommended if you appreciate design, craftsmanship, and meaningful spaces.

Qasr Al Watan is an absolute masterpiece! The palace is not only architecturally stunning but also rich in history and culture. Walking through its grand halls, beautifully landscaped gardens, and intricate interiors feels like stepping into a world of elegance and heritage. The exhibits are informative and give a deep insight into the UAE’s history, governance, and traditions. The staff are friendly and the visitor experience is seamless. Every corner is incredibly photogenic, making it perfect for photography enthusiasts as well. A must-visit for anyone in Abu Dhabi who wants to experience the grandeur and culture of the UAE. Allocate a few hours to truly appreciate everything this palace has to offer!

A huge, pharaonic building. I didn't fully understand its usefulness but it is magnificent. Everything shines, there is luxury and opulence at every step. Impressive! If you come by public transport, the path to the palace is not well signposted and you don't know which direction to go from the bus station. There is also a café where you can have a snack or drink something (without alcohol only).

Visiting Qasr Al Watan was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Everything was organized beautifully, beginning with the ease of online booking—the process was smooth, quick, and straightforward, which made planning the visit completely hassle-free. Upon arrival, the experience only got better. The shuttle bus that takes you to the palace entrance was comfortable and well-managed, setting the tone for the high level of hospitality you feel throughout the visit. Stepping inside the palace is like entering another world. The architecture, details, and craftsmanship are absolutely breathtaking. Every hall tells a story, and every corner reflects the rich heritage and vision of the UAE. Walking through the different halls was truly mesmerizing—each space more impressive than the one before. But the highlight of the visit for me was the Presidential Gifts Hall. Seeing the collection of gifts presented to the UAE from leaders around the world was fascinating. Every piece carries deep meaning and represents a moment of diplomacy, friendship, and respect between nations. Overall, Qasr Al Watan offers a perfect combination of culture, history, and beauty. If you're visiting Abu Dhabi or even living in the UAE, this is a must-see landmark. The entire experience was seamless, enriching, and simply amazing. Highly recommended!

An enormous presidential palace, absolutely stuffed with lots of swishiness! The scale and opulence of this palace is unbelievable, especially as it is only used for meetings and no one lives there! You need to catch the free shuttle bus to get to the palace, and also have your bags scanned/checked. No big deal all this is done very efficiently and quickly, bus ride is only a few minutes. Once inside you will see how huge and cavernous the palace is, there are a few restricted areas and some rooms you can only look through the door. Speaking of doors, the main doors are massive and apparently weigh something like 50 tons! Some rooms have small exhibitions of artifacts, costumes etc. The library is huge as you would expect, although the shelves are not completely full! There are some pleasant garden areas and a water fountain, accessible to tourists too. 1-2 hours should be enough time for your visit.

One of the most magnificent palaces i’ve been to and one of the highlights of the city. Qasr Al Watan is a working presidential palace, not a royal residence, but a venue for important state functions. It hosts diplomatic meetings, Council of Ministers sessions, and other high-level governmental events. Built between 2010 and 2017, the exterior is made from white granite and limestone, giving it a majestic appearance. The central dome (in the Great Hall) is especially impressive: about 37 m in diameter and reaching 60 m in height. The palace uses three main colours: blue, white, and yellow, symbolically representing the Arabian Gulf, purity, and desert sands. The main hall is by far the main highlight of the palace, it’s very gigantic and spacious, richly decorated and simply breathtaking. There are multiple exhibitions within the palace, from gifts from world leaders, to historical manuscripts and a 50,000 books library. There’s also a cafe inside. It’s most definitely not a place you wanna miss if you’re in Abu Dhabi.