Experts' Choice Award Qasr Al Hosn
What the experts agree on
Abu Dhabi's oldest building and iconic fort, originally a 1760s watchtower protecting freshwater supplies. Explore its coral-stone architecture and courtyards to understand the emirate's pre-oil history and cultural roots.
“Featured on the back of the Dh1000 note, this iconic fort started life in 1760 as a watchtower that safeguarded a precious freshwater well.”
– Lonely Planet
The Telegraph "Abu Dhabi’s oldest building is directly linked to the city’s extraordinary development, having started life as a coral and sea stone watchtower built by the Bani Yas tribes in Abu Dhabi." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Qasr Al Hosn is one of the city's most significant landmarks...this is a must-visit for travelers who want a closer look at Abu Dhabi's history, architecture, and culture. " Full review
Independent "The pre-oil boom Qasr Al-Hosn, is a chess-piece fort built in 1761 and the oldest stone building in the UAE. Poke about its watchtower and courtyard"
Afar Magazine "Once you've had some time to contemplate the future of Abu Dhabi, you'll head to Qasr Al Hosn, a historic fort which encompasses the oldest structure in the city. As the former home of..."
CNN "The 18th-century Hosn Palace, or Qasr al Hosn, began as a single watchtower in the 18th century and, as the complex grew, eventually became the seat of power until the late 1960s. Today,..."
CNN "High on my list of places to dive back into when it's possible is the newly renovated Qasr Al Hosn, an ancient fortification back in the capital. The city's oldest stone building has..."
National Geographic "When Bedouin tents gave way to permanent structures, the first built in Abu Dhabi was Qasr Al Hosn. Once a watchtower in the 1700s, the castle-like building expanded to become the home of..."
Rough Guide "Qasr Al Hosn is a historical palace and fortress in the heart of Abu Dhabi and is regarded as one of the oldest and most important buildings in the city, dating back to the 18th century"
National Geographic "Qasr al Hosn is a handsome fort dating to the 1760s. Abu Dhabi’s oldest building started life as a sea watchtower before becoming the home of the ruling Al Nahyan family. An exhibition of..."
National Geographic "Take Qasr Al Hosn, an 18th-century fort sitting incongruously amid Downtown's glass and steel, where Emirati women demonstrate traditional palm-weaving and thread-spinning crafts. At the..."
