About Qasr Al Hosn Abu Dhabi
Highlights of Qasr Al Hosn Fort
- Enjoy an entry into the historically significant Qasr Al Hosn fort Abu Dhabi, which is the oldest stone building in the city
- Learn about the rich history of Abu Dhabi as you discover the ancestral home of the Al Nahyan
- Explore the Inner Fort and Outer Palace at Qasr Al Hosn, thereby witnessing the symbolic heart of the city
- Get a chance to gain insights into how Abu Dhabi developed from a traditional pearl village to a modern metropolis, amongst the best in the world
- Head deeper into the fort and learn about the vibrant heritage of this region at the House of Artisans and the Cultural Foundation, which preserve Abu Dhabi’s culture and art
Explore the House of Crafts at Qasr Al Hosn Palace
A traditional form of weaving, practised predominantly by the Bedouin women, Al-Sadu is a method that uses animal wool, from sheep, goats and camels, to create beautiful designs of garments. These are rich in geometrical patterns, which reflect the identity and surroundings of the tribe. You can see the Al-Sadu weaving techniques used in the bait al-sha’ar, which is a type of tent, or in staad, which are accessories used to decorate camels here.
A unique type of art, Khoos is a traditional handicraft of the region, which involves braiding or weaving together date palm fronds, leaves as well as branches. This art is used to form products like table mats, baskets with lids, the mahafah or handheld fans, makabah or covers to protect food and more.
At the Qasr Al Hosn fort, you can get a chance to see Talli, which is a traditional form of decorative embroidery practised by the Emirati. In this form of art, people typically use cotton or silk threads to create stunning embroidery on traditional garments. These threads are mixed with gold and silver threads to make beautiful designs on the collars, sleeves or the hems of the outfit.
You can also see a variety of Sea Craft during your visit to the fort. Since fishing and boat building has been a part of this region for a long time, the fort showcases local artisans displaying their skills by creating unique designs for fishing nets and traps, designs of boats and more, thereby showcasing the rich sea life in the Arabian Gulf.
Essential Information about Qasr Al Hosn Palace Abu Dhabi
Best Time to VisitThe best time to visit the Qasr Al Hosn fort Abu Dhabi is soon after it opens in the mornings, around 10:00 a.m. It is during this time when you can enjoy exploring the fort comfortably, due to less crowds and rush of visitors. Additionally, you can also enjoy the different activities and events that are held here during this time, due to shorter waiting queues.
Location & Opening HoursThe Qasr Al Hosn Fort is located at Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum St(2nd St) - Al Hisn - W3 - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates.The Qasr Al Hosn Fort remains open between 10:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m. from Saturdays to Thursdays, and between 02:00 p.m. to 07:00 p.m. on Fridays.
- Via Taxi:From Dubai, you can take a taxi via E11 and the Al Shahama directly to Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, where the fort is located. It will take around 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours to reach the fort from Dubai.
- Via Bus: From Abu Dhabi, you can either avail a taxi directly to the fort, or avail buses, such as bus numbers 40 and 54 to get off near the Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street. From there, the fort is located a very short walk away.
- 1790:The Qasr Al Hosn fort was constructed as a watchtower, which overlooked the trade routes in and around Dubai.
- 1795:The Inner Fort was built inside Qasr Al Hosn.
- 1855 to 1909:Sheikh Zayed Bin Khalifa united the tribes of the region to strengthen diplomatic relations and increase economic prosperity in the region, and the fort became the permanent residence of the then Sheikh.
- 1928 to 1966:The Outer Palace was constructed between 1938 to 1945, as the fort became the site where the country’s first oil concessions with Great Britain were negotiated.
- 1980s to 1990s:The fort serves as the family home of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in addition to serving as the seat of governance of the country.
- 1990 to 2022:The fort remained an important seat of governance throughout the years, and underwent around 11 years of extensive conservation and restoration work. It was in 2018 when the fort was transformed into a museum, which showcases the development of Abu Dhabi from a traditional fishing and pearling settlement to a modern, global metropolis.
Qasr Al Hosn FAQ's
What is Qasr Al Hosn?
Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest stone building and structure in all of Abu Dhabi, dating back to as early as the late 18th century. Considered to be the legacy and history of the city, it is here where you can learn about how Abu Dhabi progressed from a fishing and pearling settlement thousands of years ago, to one of the most developed modern metropolises in the world.
What are the online activities conducted at Qasr Al Hosn Palace?
There are a wide range of online activities that are conducted at Qasr Al Hosn Palace, which includes online crafts as well as online recipes, among other things. Some of these activities include:- Sadu inspired bookmark making, which involves weaving geometrical patterns- The House of Artisans Colouring Book activity- Learning how to make Mhalla Zayed, a light and fragrant dessert sprinkled with sugar and accompanied with tea or coffee- Making Khanfaroush, a popular Emirati cake made of saffron and cardamom - Trying out Balaleet, an Emirati breakfast favourite- Learning a variety of traditional Emirati dishes, including the traditional Chebab Bread
What is the recommended visiting age range?
Qasr Al Hosn is a great place for visitors of all age groups, from children to adults, as well as senior citizens.
Must Checkout: Dubai Dolphinarium
Are there praying facilities at the site?
Yes, there is a Musallah located near the restaurants at the site of the Qasr Al Hosn fort where you can go at any time to offer your prayers.
What are the other experiences that you can enjoy while your visit to Abu-Dhabi?
Book Abu-Dhabi's Famous Attractions Tickets & Activities which you can enjoy, choose from the bundle of options by checking out about Abu Dhabi Pass