Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan Tour, Abu Dhabi

Overview

DurationAbout 5–6 hours from Abu Dhabi (longer from Dubai)
Time of dayMorning, Afternoon
ConfirmationWe confirm availability before you pay

This tour pairs Abu Dhabi’s two signature buildings, each impressive in a very different way. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a place of worship that opens its doors freely to visitors of every faith, while Qasr Al Watan is a working presidential palace where the UAE receives heads of state, now partly open to the public as a cultural landmark.

At the mosque you walk through sunlit marble courtyards inlaid with floral designs, past reflecting pools and into the main prayer hall with its chandeliers and immense carpet. The atmosphere is quiet and respectful, and photographs are welcome for personal use.

Inside the palace

At Qasr Al Watan, a general admission ticket opens the palace zones, including the Great Hall beneath its central dome, the Presidential Gifts exhibition of items presented to the nation by visiting dignitaries, and the Qasr Al Watan Library. Displays explore how the UAE is governed and the Arab world’s contributions to science and scholarship. General tickets currently also include the evening Palace in Motion light and sound show, which tells the nation’s story in three acts, if your timing allows.

Both sites have a modest dress code, so please read the guidance below before travel. Send us your date and group size and we will confirm availability and the final price on WhatsApp before any payment.

Highlights

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, open to visitors of all faiths
Qasr Al Watan general admission: Great Hall, Presidential Gifts and Library
White marble courtyards and the palace's grand domes
Palace in Motion light show, included with general palace tickets
Transport between both landmarks

Itinerary

1
Pickup
30 minutes (Abu Dhabi) / 1.5 hours (Dubai)
Collection from your hotel or residence.
2
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
1–1.5 hours
Explore the courtyards, colonnades and prayer hall, with explanations of the design and etiquette.
3
Transfer to Qasr Al Watan
20–30 minutes
Short drive to the palace Visitor Centre at Al Ras Al Akhdar.
4
Qasr Al Watan
1.5–2 hours
Self-paced visit to the Great Hall, Presidential Gifts, exhibitions and Library.
5
Drop-off
30 minutes–1.5 hours
Return to your starting point.

What's included

Pickup and drop-off
Air-conditioned transport
Qasr Al Watan general admission ticket
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque visit (entry is free)
Bottled water

Meals and drinks
Optional palace guided or audio tours
Valet parking and personal expenses
Tips

Good to know

Ticket options

Qasr Al Watan General Admission — Palace zones, Library and the Palace in Motion show; one entry to the palace building, no re-entry.
Palace in Motion only — Evening light and sound show only, without palace access.
Guided / audio tours — Optional add-ons sold by the palace, subject to capacity.

Exact ticket and price confirmed with your booking.

What to bring

Mosque: long, loose, ankle-length clothes for everyone and a headscarf for women. Palace: knees and shoulders covered; no shorts, sleeveless or see-through clothing, and no flip-flops.

Age restrictions

At Qasr Al Watan, children aged 3 and under enter free; junior tickets cover ages 4–17; under-12s must be with a ticketed adult.

Accessibility

Qasr Al Watan offers free wheelchairs and stroller hire.

Opening hours / departure times

The mosque currently welcomes visitors 9am–9pm Saturday–Thursday and 9am–12pm and 2.30pm–9pm on Fridays.

Cancellation & refund policy

Qasr Al Watan tickets are non-refundable and valid only for the printed date and time slot, per the operator.

Terms & conditions

No food or drink inside the mosque. Outside food and drink are not allowed inside Qasr Al Watan; one entry to the palace building per ticket.