The oldest building in Abu Dhabi is the Qasr Al Hosn and it is an important fortress in the United Arab Emirates. Its origins date back to 250 years ago when people discovered a freshwater spring and built a watchtower there.
The Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi is an important fortress
Normally you know the emirate of Abu Dhabi with a skyline and modern skyscrapers. But there are still historical buildings like the Qasr Al Hosn. By the way, it is the oldest building in the city with a lot of history. In the past, it was even the seat of government of the Emirate. Today, of course, it is located somewhere else in a modern building.
In this article you will learn everything about this former fort and it is possible that tourists can see it during a tour. If you are interested in history and historical buildings then you are exactly right there. Furthermore, of course, you also have the opportunity to make impressive photos that certainly not everyone has.
What was there in the past:
Until 1966 it was the seat of government of Abu DhabiWhen was it built:
In 1761
The history is impressive
Of course, the Qasr Al Hosn also has an impressive history that not every building in the city has. Furthermore, it has held up well to the present day. In the past it was a watchtower commissioned by Dhiyab bin Isa. Sheikh Shakhbut Bin Dhiyab then expanded Qasr Al Hosn into a fortress which can still be seen today. It was an important center of power and today the complex is still very well preserved.
The fortress can be recognized by the white walls which are very impressive. Qasr Al Hosn is therefore also known as White Fort and The Old Fort by the locals. The fort was then expanded and electrical lines were added which was very advanced at that time. If you are interested in history and historical buildings, Qasr Al Hosn is certainly interesting to visit.
What was it used as in the past:
WatchtowerNickname among the inhabitants:
White Fort
The Old Fort
Location, address and directions
Before a visit, of course, you should find out the exact location. It is located not far from the Abu Dhabi Corniche where you can practically walk. In principle, you can say the fort is located exactly between Hamdan Street and Zayed The First Street. If you want to visit Qasr Al Hosn, it is best to take a cab from the hotel. This is the easiest for tourists in our opinion. It is not possible to get there by public transportation such as bus or train. Even if you have a rental car then there is hardly any parking nearby. So it is best to still use the good old cab. You then tell the driver that you would like to go to this fort and they know the way very well.
Address:
Qasr Al Hosn
Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street
Al Hosn
Abu Dhabi
United Arab EmiratesWhat mode of transportation should you use:
The cab
How much is the entrance fee to visit Qasr Al Hosn
To visit the fort you need a ticket and the best way is to book it online. Then you only have to show it and you can start with the visit. You also have the possibility to buy it on site at the box office. There the price can be higher and therefore one should book this already before. What exactly you have to pay you can find out here.
Prices for the ticket:
Adult persons: 30 Dirham ( 7 Euro )
Children from 6 to 11 years: 15 Dirham ( 3,50 Euro )
Children under 6 years: free entranceWhere to buy the ticket:
It is best to reserve online
This way there is no waiting time
Opening hours of the museum
First of all, you should know that since December 7, 2018, it is possible for visitors to visit the Qasr Al Hosn again. It has been renovated for many years and today it is one of the most visited museums in Abu Dhabi. The nice thing is that you can visit it every day of the week. Furthermore, there is no day off. If you want to have it quieter then you should visit the museum during the week, always early in the morning. On weekends you have to expect a lot more visitors. Thus one has then also more time to look at everything exactly which is certainly an advantage. But if you want you can also go there on Friday.
When is the Qasr Al Hosn open:
Saturday to Thursday
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Friday
4:00 PM – 12:00 PMDo they have guided tours:
Yes, these are offered
Arabic and English languageCan you buy souvenirs:
Yes, there is also a souvenir shop
What to see there
Even the visit of the Fort Qasr Al Hosn is worth a visit. Furthermore, one learns a lot about the history in an impressive presentation. Furthermore, visitors have the opportunity to learn about Arabic handicrafts such as Khoos, Sadoo and Talli. Of course you don’t get to see something like this every day.
There are many beautifully renovated rooms that are very impressive. This is probably how tourists imagine life in the Emirates before the country was catapulted into the modern era by the discovery of oil. There are several areas where you should take enough time to visit. As already mentioned, you should also take pictures.
Can you visit rooms:
Yes, these have all been beautifully renovated
Our opinion
If you are interested in history during your trip then the visit of Qasr Al Hosn is recommended. You can see many beautiful rooms that are worth seeing. But it is located in the city center and it is always best to take a cab. Maybe you also stay in a hotel nearby and then you can go there on foot.
