Qasr Al Watan is Abu Dhabi’s Presidential Palace and a cultural landmark where you can explore themes of UAE heritage, governance, knowledge and craftsmanship. In Al Ras Al Akhdar, it offers a palace visit that you can combine with other Abu Dhabi sights.
- Location: Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi
- Adult general admission: AED 65; child admission: AED 30
- Palace in Motion: a nightly show lasting approximately 15 minutes
- Visitors enter through the Visitor Centre; general parking is free
Planning the journey to Qasr Al Watan
Plan your own transport to and from Qasr Al Watan, as the palace does not arrange it for visitors. The entrance is through the Visitor Centre, where free parking is available; valet parking at the Visitor Centre car park costs AED 35.
Qasr Al Watan is in Al Ras Al Akhdar. To place it in a broader city plan, you can pair the palace with a one-day Abu Dhabi itinerary and sequence other stops around your plans.
Tickets and entry requirements
General admission covers the palace and Palace in Motion, while the separate show ticket grants access to Palace in Motion only. The Abu Dhabi tourism board lists general admission at AED 65 for adults and AED 30 for children; Palace in Motion tickets are AED 25 for adults and AED 12 for children.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 10:00–17:00
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Online tickets arrive by email and can be printed or shown on your phone; tickets are also sold at the ticketing booth. Tickets are valid on the date printed, and you cannot re-enter after leaving. Bring the original ticket or online e-ticket, plus the purchasing credit card or valid government-issued ID matching the booking name.
Dress requirements cover knees and shoulders. Shorts, sleeveless tops and see-through garments are not allowed. Guided tours can be purchased at the gate, subject to limited capacity, and are not required for admission. If you book one, its ticket is valid only with general admission, and you should arrive at the Visitor Centre 30 minutes before the scheduled tour.
Palace spaces open to visitors
Visitor zones include the Great Hall, Presidential Gifts, Spirit of Collaboration, Presidential Banquet, House of Knowledge and Qasr Al Watan Library. Together, they give the visit a focus on the palace’s cultural and civic themes, as well as its craftsmanship.
Qasr Al Watan was built between 2010 and 2017 and opened to the public in 2019. For an outdoor finale, Palace in Motion is a light-and-sound show presented in front of the main palace. The show takes place nightly from 8pm and lasts approximately 15 minutes.
Visitor facilities and accessibility
Wheelchairs are available free of charge, and stroller rental costs AED 20. The Visitor Centre is the entry point for palace visitors, so you can arrange your arrival around that entrance.
If you want to include another major Abu Dhabi cultural stop, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque visitor guide can help you plan that part of your city itinerary too.
Timing a visit with other Abu Dhabi sights
Set aside time for the palace zones before the evening Palace in Motion show if you plan to see both. The general-admission ticket includes the show, while a show-only ticket does not include palace access. Because tickets are dated and re-entry is not allowed, plan your arrival and any other stops around the date on your ticket.
Qasr Al Watan can fit into a wider Abu Dhabi outing from Andalus Al, a four-star resort. For ticket prices, show schedules and visitor arrangements, check the official site before you go.
FAQs
How much are Qasr Al Watan tickets?
General admission costs AED 65 for adults and AED 30 for children. Palace in Motion tickets are AED 25 for adults and AED 12 for children.
Does general admission include Palace in Motion?
Yes. General admission includes access to the palace and the show; a Palace in Motion ticket by itself covers the show only.
Can you buy tickets at the palace?
Yes. Tickets are available at the ticketing booth, and online tickets can be shown on a phone or printed.
Is parking available at Qasr Al Watan?
Yes. General parking is free, and valet parking at the Visitor Centre car park costs AED 35.