The UAE has a whole lot of places that attract tourists, but did you know some royal ones are actually hidden behind huge compound walls? These in fact leave most of us wondering what’s actually behind these walls. Well, the truth is, these are some royal places that are actually worth a visit. While you might not spot the royals itself, these places are definitely Instagram-worthy!
1. Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi
Docked on the Ras Al Akhdar peninsula, the Qasr Al Watan or the palace of the nation spans a sprawling 150 hectares. A host of architects, interior designers, and contractors worked on the construction, which began in 2015. The interiors and the exteriors of the place bear a close resemblance to Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque, in that one can spot a lot of Mughal-era architecture, which dominated the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
The Palace and Garden ticket gives you access to the Qasr Al Watan Tour, the Gardens, Visitor Centre and all zones, exhibitions and public spaces within the Palace and Gardens. The ticket costs AED 60 for adults and AED 30 for kids. In case you want to cut short your tour, go for the Garden ticket (priced at AED 25 for adults and AED 12 for kids) which gives you access to the Gardens and Visitor Centre only. In case you like a detailed historic tour of the palace, you can make an advance booking for a standard or a private guided tour. The tours start from AED 30 per visitor and will last for over 30 minutes. You can visit the palace daily between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm.
2. Zabeel Palace
Want to spot peacocks on the Dubai roads? This is where you must head. One of the homes of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Zabeel Palace is a sight to behold. The stunning structure is surrounded by lush green and it gets even better in the mornings while pretty peacocks make their appearance. Well, you can’t get into the palace to take a stroll, but you can click pictures from the outside. Security is pretty tight here, so be watchful in case you’re heading.
3. Al Ain Palace Museum – Al Ain
Also called the Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum, this was initially a palace of the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE and his family. However, it was later converted into a museum. The palace is constructed out of environmentally-friendly products such as clay and plaster stone. As for the interiors, guests can spot a close resemblance to several other historical buildings in the UAE.
The palace has a massive reception room, upper majlis (called Albarzah), an outdoor courtyard, and also a study room where Sheikh Zayed’s son used to study. And the best part- the palace also has a Land Rover parked in the courtyard, similar to the one used by Sheikh Zayed during his visits. The palace is closed on Monday, and is accessible from Saturday to Thursday- 8.30am to 7.30pm and Friday- 3pm to 7.30pm. Entry is free for all.
4. Al Qassimi Palace – Ras Al Khaimah
The Haunted Palace in Ras Al Khaimah is now open to the public. The palace was constructed in 1985 by late Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Qasimi. and is known for its extraordinary architecture. However, the palace was considered haunted, after horror stories and mysterious incidents cropped up.
The palace features 35 rooms, each boasting spectacular antique artifacts and paintings. The central area has a glass pyramid- made of Islamic, Moroccan, Indian and Persian designs. This allows sunlight to pass through, adding to the palace’s beauty. The glass chandeliers inside the palace are imported from Belgium and France. Guests can visit the palace from 9am to 7pm. The entry costs AED 75 for each individual, and AED 50 per person in a group.
And in case you didn’t know the UAE has a huge list of attractions coming up in 2020.
5. Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
Constructed for a whopping $3 billion, the Emirates Palace hotel is one of Abu Dhabi’s most lavish attractions. The palace boasts stunning Islamic architecture and features water bodies and palm tress. On the inside, you can spot a grand dome in the centre, surrounded by 114 smaller domes. In addition, the palace also has a ballroom, a three bedroom Palace Suite and a palace terrace. You can enjoy a guided palace tour for AED 150. Bookings must be made in advance.
