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Qasr Al Watan
Qasr Al Watan is rather deceiving from the outside as although its traditional architectural style and gentle colours are beautiful in their simplicity, entering the Presidential Palace is rather like opening a pretty box and finding the most exquisite diamond inside.
The craftsmanship of the interior is quite wonderful and the intricate detail in the many different elements is mesmerising. There are three main colours in the design, white, blue and yellow, inspired by the desert, the sea and the sky.
Apart from the Great Hall, there is the Presidential Banquet Hall, Presidential Gifts (currently closed), House of Knowledge, Meeting Room, Spirit of Collaboration and the Library.
The Banquet Hall can hold up to 300 guests and most often hosts lunches rather than dinners for important dignitaries. The House of Knowledge displays contributions to the sciences, such as astronomy, medicine, mathematics and exploration in the Arab Golden Age.
If this is an area of interest, you might also like to visit the Museum of Islamic Civilisation in Sharjah – see my post here.
The Spirit of Collaboration is not only the official meeting hall for the UAE Cabinet and Supreme Council but it is also a frequent venue for meetings of the National Federal Council, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League.
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Qasr al Watan is also known as The Palace of the Nation or the Presidential Palace and was originally constructed to host dignitaries and other important visitors.
It opened to the public in 2019, two years after the completion of its construction. Although there is a sound and light show, this is currently not operating during the mourning period of the late Sheikha Khalifa, may his soul rest in peace.
Qasr Al Watan Timings
Qasr al Watan timings – 11am-8pm, last admission 6:30pm. One of the following is required for admission –
Qasr Al Watan Entrance Fees
Entrance is 65 dhs for adults, 30 for age 4- 17 and free under 4. Persons of Determination can enter for free with one companion, resident senior citizens and Fazaa cardholders are eligible for 30% discount.
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Buy Combo ticket for Qasr Al Watan and Louvre Abu Dhabi
Buy Combo ticket for Qasr Al Watan and Ferrari World
Visit a more in-depth post on Qasr al Watan, Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi at In Scotterati Footsteps
Must visit places in Abu Dhabi
- Sheikh Zayed Mosque
- Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Emirates Palace
- Jubail Mangrove
- Eastern Mangroves
- Abu Dhabi Corniche
- Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Motor Circuit, Yas Waterworld and Circuit X Hudayriyat Mar Vista
- National Aquarium
Buy tickets or see more places to add to your Abu Dhabi trip
For more on the emirate of Abu Dhabi, go to Places to Visit in Al Ain and Al Dhafra Festival
Jump to Abu Dhabi Guidebooks
If you liked this, you might also like my posts on:
Guide Books on Abu Dhabi
- Lonely Planet Pocket Abu Dhabi
- Buy the book (UK) or buy the Kindle edition (UK)
- Buy the book (US) or buy the Kindle version (US)
- DK Eyewitness Top 10 Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- Buy the book (UK) or buy the Kindle edition (UK)
- Buy the book (US)
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