The working presidential palace of the UAE, opened to the public for partial tours in 2019. It is a pale stone building of cathedral proportions: an immense central dome, a grand staircase, vast public halls with mother-of-pearl inlay and chandeliers the size of small cars. The Great Hall is genuinely impressive — the largest dome in the world to be entirely carved in geometric relief.
The on-site library houses the most important documents of the federation, with rare manuscripts displayed in vitrines. After dark, a 360-degree projection show plays across the palace exterior. Tickets include access to the gardens; allow two hours.