City Tour with Qasr Al Watan

This tour combines the city with a visit to the presidential palace Qasr Al Watan. Indeed, departure is at around 08:00 by air-conditioned minibus. Moreover, the palace opened to visitors only in recent years.

Inside the Presidential Palace

Qasr Al Watan is a working seat of government rather than a former royal residence, and parts of it are open to the public. The great domed hall rises 37 metres, decorated in white, gold and blue geometric patterns. A library holds rare manuscripts on Arab science and history. Above all, the scale and craftsmanship of the interiors are extraordinary.

Tour Highlights

The presidential palace Qasr Al Watan
The great domed hall and its geometry
A library of rare Arabic manuscripts
The Grand Mosque and the Corniche

A Palace Built to Be Seen

Qasr Al Watan opened to the public in 2019, and it was designed from the outset with visitors in mind. Indeed, unlike most seats of government it was never a private residence, so the state rooms can be shown without disturbing anyone. The building uses traditional Arabian geometry throughout, with patterns worked in marble, mother of pearl and gold leaf. Moreover, the great dome spans 37 metres and is one of the largest of its kind. Above all, the House of Knowledge inside holds manuscripts documenting Arab contributions to astronomy, medicine and mathematics.