Where Donald Trump will visit in Abu Dhabi during his UAE trip

Dubai: US President Donald Trump has arrived in Abu Dhabi, making him the first sitting American president to visit the UAE in nearly two decades. The stop marks the final leg of his Middle East tour, following visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and comes as part of his first official overseas trip since taking office earlier this year.

During his time in the UAE capital, President Trump is expected to visit key national landmarks, including Qasr Al Watan and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. He will be staying at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, a luxury property overlooking the Grand Canal and adjacent to the mosque.

Qasr Al Watan, or the ‘Palace of the Nation’, is the UAE’s presidential palace complex, located in the Ras Al Akhdar district along Abu Dhabi’s Corniche. Completed in 2017 after seven years of construction, the palace compound spans 380,000 square metres and serves as the official base for the UAE President, Vice President, and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

Crafted from white granite and limestone, Qasr Al Watan embodies traditional Arabian architectural elements while reflecting the nation’s modern governance. Although most of the palace serves government functions, select areas, including the Great Hall, are open to the public.

The Great Hall, with its 60-metre-high dome and 37-metre diameter, is a focal point of the palace. It incorporates Qasr Al Watan’s three symbolic colours -  blue for the Arabian Gulf, white for purity, and yellow for the desert sands.

The palace has hosted a number of global dignitaries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and, in 2019, the late Pope Francis during the UAE’s Year of Tolerance.

President Trump will also visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world and a key symbol of modern Islamic architecture and Emirati heritage. The Mosque was the vision of the UAE’s founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and opened for worship during Eid Al Adha in 2007.

Designed to accommodate up to 55,000 worshippers, the mosque welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds, promoting interfaith understanding and cultural exchange. The central prayer hall alone can host nearly 8,000 worshippers, complemented by two additional halls for men and women.

Construction of the mosque began in 1996 and spanned over a decade, involving more than 3,000 workers and 38 international contractors. Its white marble domes, reflective pools, and intricate floral designs make it one of the UAE’s most recognisable landmarks and a frequent stop for world leaders.

Trump will stay at the the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. The hotel offers views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and features architecture inspired by Renaissance-era Venice. The complex comprises 10 buildings arranged in a crescent shape, set among landscaped gardens and water features.

The property includes 504 rooms and suites, private villas, eight restaurants, and extensive event facilities including a 1,550-square-metre ballroom. It also boasts Abu Dhabi’s largest outdoor swimming pool, spanning 1,600 square metres along the Grand Canal waterfront.

The Ritz-Carlton is a preferred destination for international delegates and high-level guests, offering both privacy and proximity to Abu Dhabi’s key government and cultural institutions.