Qasr Al Watan is the Presidential Palace of the UAE, and unlike most palaces it is still a working building: state visits and official summits take place here. Visitors can walk through its Great Hall, see the gifts given to the nation by world leaders, explore a library of tens of thousands of books, and stay into the evening for Palace in Motion, the light and sound show projected onto the palace itself. This guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, the show and how to plan a visit.
Quick answer: A general admission ticket to Qasr Al Watan covers the palace, the gardens and the evening Palace in Motion show. Standard prices have been around AED 65 for adults and AED 30 for children aged 4 to 17, and children aged 3 and under enter free. The palace opens daily from late morning until early evening, and the show starts after sunset. Allow two to three hours, and cover your knees and shoulders.
- Adult ticketAround AED 65 (book from AED 62)
- Child ticket (4–17)Around AED 30 (book from AED 29)
- Free entryChildren 3 and under
- Light showEvery evening, included
- Time needed2–3 hours
- LocationAl Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi
Last checked: 10 October 2026, against the official Qasr Al Watan website. Prices can vary by booking channel and season, and the palace's hours and show times change through the year, so confirm on the day you visit.
What is Qasr Al Watan?
Qasr Al Watan, which means "Palace of the Nation", opened to the public in March 2019 within the Presidential Palace compound in Abu Dhabi. It is not a historic palace but a modern one, built in white granite and limestone in a traditional Arabian style, with a central dome 37 metres across. The palace is still used for official state business, which is part of what makes a visit feel different from a museum.
The visit is designed to explain how the UAE is governed and what its culture values. You'll see rooms used for meetings of the Federal Supreme Council, official banquets and diplomatic gifts, as well as a large collection of manuscripts and books.
Qasr Al Watan ticket price
There are two main ticket types:
| Ticket | What it includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| General admission (adult, 18+) | Palace, gardens, exhibitions and the Palace in Motion show | Around AED 65 |
| General admission (child, 4–17) | Same as adult | Around AED 30 |
| Child, 3 and under | Same as adult | Free |
| Palace in Motion only | The evening show only, without the palace | Check the official website |
| Guided tour (add-on) | A guided walk through the palace | Extra, bought with your ticket or at the gate |
The official website loads its prices at the time of booking, and the price you see can vary by channel and season. Third-party ticket sites often sell general admission below the standard rate.
Where to buy tickets
- Official website: tickets are sold online at qasralwatan.ae and are valid only on the date printed on them.
- Through DUBEX TOURS: Qasr Al Watan tickets are currently listed at AED 62 for adults and AED 29 for children, with instant confirmation.
- At the gate: possible, but booking ahead saves time, especially before the evening show.
Tickets are non-refundable and valid for one entry only. Once you leave the grounds, you can't re-enter on the same ticket.
Who gets free entry?
- Children aged 3 and under. Bring photo ID as proof of age if you're asked.
- People of Determination. UAE-registered People of Determination enter free with one companion. International visitors with a visible disability also enter free, but their companion pays.
Wheelchairs are available free of charge for People of Determination and elderly visitors. Children aged 11 and under must be with an adult who has a valid ticket.
Qasr Al Watan opening hours and timings
The palace is open every day, from late morning until early evening, but its exact hours change during the year. For example, the published hours for 10 October 2026 were 11am to 6:30pm. Check the official website for the day you're visiting, especially during Ramadan, public holidays and state events, when the palace can close at short notice.
- Palace: daily, late morning to early evening. Last entry is at closing time.
- Palace in Motion: every evening after sunset. Show times change monthly.
- Show entry: arrive at least 30 minutes before the show starts, as capacity is limited.
Best time to visit
Arrive in the mid-to-late afternoon. That gives you enough time to see the palace properly, catch the gardens in softer light as the sun sets, and stay for Palace in Motion without a long wait. Your general admission ticket already includes the show, so splitting your visit into two trips makes little sense.
There are no lockers or cloakrooms at the palace, and bags larger than 50 × 35 cm aren't allowed in. Bring a small bag only.
Palace in Motion light and sound show
Palace in Motion is projected directly onto the palace façade every evening. It tells the story of the UAE in three acts, covering the country's past, present and future, using light, sound and large-scale projection. The show lasts around 15 minutes.
- Is it included? Yes. General admission tickets include entry to the show. There's also a separate show-only ticket if you only want to see the show.
- When is it? Every evening after sunset. Times change monthly, so check the official website on the day.
- How early should I arrive? At least 30 minutes before the show starts, because entry is subject to capacity.
What to see inside Qasr Al Watan
The Great Hall
The heart of the palace is a huge hall measuring about 100 by 100 metres under the main dome. It's the room most visitors photograph, and it's worth standing in the middle and looking straight up.
Spirit of Collaboration
The chamber where the Federal Supreme Council and regional summits meet. It's one of the clearest examples of the palace still being a working building.
Presidential Banquet
The hall used for official state dinners, laid out with silver, crystal and china prepared for visiting heads of state.
Presidential Gifts
A collection of gifts the UAE has received from foreign leaders over the years. It's one of the more surprising parts of the visit, and children often enjoy it most.
House of Knowledge and the library
The House of Knowledge shows rare manuscripts, artefacts and historic maps. The Qasr Al Watan Library holds more than 50,000 books and resources about the UAE and the region.
The gardens
The landscaped gardens and the palace's long front approach are where most of the best exterior photographs are taken, especially in the late afternoon.
An audio guide is available in five languages, and guided tours can be added to your ticket. A guided tour is not required, but it does explain far more than the signs do.
Dress code and rules
The dress code at Qasr Al Watan is less strict than at the Grand Mosque. Headscarves aren't required, but you do need to dress modestly:
- Cover your knees and shoulders. This applies to men and women.
- No shorts, sleeveless tops or see-through clothing.
- No flip-flops or overly casual footwear. Comfortable shoes are best, as there's a lot of walking.
Rules to know
- Security check: expect an airport-style bag check on arrival.
- Food and drink: not allowed, except bottled water. There's a café on site.
- Photos: personal photos and videos are allowed. Commercial filming needs permission, and you can't photograph security staff or systems.
- Tripods: only small tripods up to about 38 cm (15 inches) are allowed.
- Not allowed: pets, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, long umbrellas, knives and oversized bags.
Getting to Qasr Al Watan from Dubai
The palace is in Al Ras Al Akhdar, near the western end of the Abu Dhabi Corniche. From Dubai, take Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) towards Abu Dhabi and follow the signs to Corniche Street. Allow roughly 90 minutes to two hours each way, depending on traffic.
You park at the Visitor Centre, where self-parking is free (valet costs AED 35), and a free shuttle takes you up to the palace entrance.
Driving from Dubai and back in one day is tiring, especially if you stay for the evening show. A private car with a driver means you can stay as late as you want without worrying about the drive home.
A day plan: Qasr Al Watan and the Grand Mosque
Qasr Al Watan and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are the two buildings most visitors want to see in Abu Dhabi, and they fit well into one day:
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Leave Dubai and drive to Abu Dhabi |
| Late morning | Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, ideally with a free guided tour |
| Lunch | Souq Al Jami next to the mosque, or the Corniche |
| Afternoon | Qasr Al Watan: palace and gardens |
| Evening | Palace in Motion, then drive back to Dubai |
Before you go to the mosque, read our guide to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque entry fee and dress code. The mosque introduced a visitor fee in 2026, and its dress code is stricter than the palace's, so dress for the mosque and you'll be fine for both.
Other Abu Dhabi experiences worth pairing with the palace include Louvre Abu Dhabi and teamLab Phenomena, both on Saadiyat Island. Our Louvre guide and teamLab guide cover tickets and timings. Pick one of these alongside the palace rather than trying to fit everything into a single day.
Book Qasr Al Watan tickets
General admission including the Palace in Motion show, with instant confirmation. Need transport from Dubai too? Message us and we'll plan the whole day.
Qasr Al Watan FAQs
How much is the Qasr Al Watan ticket?
Standard general admission has been around AED 65 for adults and AED 30 for children aged 4 to 17. Children aged 3 and under enter free. Prices can vary by booking channel, and DUBEX TOURS currently lists tickets from AED 62 for adults and AED 29 for children.
Is Palace in Motion included in the ticket?
Yes. General admission includes the Palace in Motion show. A separate show-only ticket is also available.
What time is Palace in Motion?
Every evening after sunset. Show times change monthly, so check the official website on the day, and arrive at least 30 minutes early.
What are Qasr Al Watan's opening hours?
The palace is open daily from late morning to early evening, and hours change during the year. For example, on 10 October 2026 it was open from 11am to 6:30pm.
What is the dress code at Qasr Al Watan?
Cover your knees and shoulders. Shorts, sleeveless tops, see-through clothing and flip-flops aren't allowed. Headscarves are not required.
How long does a visit take?
About two to three hours for the palace and gardens. Add time if you're staying for the evening show.
Is Qasr Al Watan near Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?
They're both in Abu Dhabi and easy to combine in one day by car. The mosque is near the bridges into the city, and the palace is near the western end of the Corniche.
Is there parking at Qasr Al Watan?
Yes. Self-parking at the Visitor Centre is free, valet parking costs AED 35, and a free shuttle runs to the palace entrance.
Is Qasr Al Watan worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you're already making the trip to Abu Dhabi for the Grand Mosque. Qasr Al Watan explains the UAE in a way no other attraction does. Arrive in the afternoon, see the palace while it's light, and stay for Palace in Motion. You'll get two very different experiences from one ticket.
For the rest of your trip, see our top 10 things to do in Dubai, which includes the Abu Dhabi day trip, and our guide to family-friendly activities in Dubai.
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