History of Emirates Palace
Delve into the rich history of the Emirates Palace, from its conceptualization to its grand opening in 2005. Learn about the architectural influences and the vision behind this iconic landmark.
Private & personalized tours - just for you!
The best stories aren’t found in guidebooks. Skip the crowds and unlock the hidden gems of Emirates Palace with a private, personalized experience led by a local.




Reviews from guests about our tours and locals
"We had an excellent experience with Adnan. He is extremely knowledgeable and explains the history and culture of Abu Dhabi and the UAE in a very clear and engaging way. He answered all of our questions with patience and made sure we understood everything. We especially appreciated how he explained the vision of the country’s leaders and introduced Islamic beliefs in a thoughtful and respectful manner. His explanations were so meaningful that they inspired us to want to know more in depth about the culture and faith. Adnan is friendly, professional, and genuinely caring. He also gave us wonderful suggestions on other places to visit and where to try traditional food, which made the rest of our trip even better. We truly enjoyed the tour and highly recommend Adnan. A 5-star experience from start to finish. Kristina Tong"
"Just finished a half day tour with Anamaria visiting the Sheik Zayed Mosque, Qasar Al Watan (Palace) and Heritage Village. She picked me up on time from my hotel, with a very clean and comfortable car and was an absolute JOY to spend the day with! She is VERY informative, answered my myriad of questions and provided history and insight through the day. She truly has a passion for what she does and Abu Dhabi. She is polite, fun, kind and very respectful. A very memorable day; Thank you Anamaria! 🥰"
"Wir bedanken uns bei Jamshed herzlich für den super Ausflug in Abu Dhabi. Jamshed ist ein hervorragender Tour-Guide mit grossem Wissen und unglaublichem Einfühlungsvermögen. Sehr zuvorkommend, flexibel, hilfsbereit und alles immer mit der nötigen Ruhe. So konnten wir von Jamshed unser eigenes Wunschprogramm zusammenstellen lassen... das haben wir sehr geschätzt! Es war sehr sehr interessant und wir haben uns jederzeit sehr wohl gefühlt mit ihm. Absolut empfehlenswert und gerne jederzeit wieder!"
Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore Abu Dhabi with locals







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Discover the majestic Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Explore its history, immerse yourself in Emirati culture, and experience unparalleled luxury. Book a private tour with Withlocals for an unforgettable journey.
Delve into the rich history of the Emirates Palace, from its conceptualization to its grand opening in 2005. Learn about the architectural influences and the vision behind this iconic landmark.
Experience the opulence of Emirati culture at the Palace. From traditional art and design to luxurious amenities, immerse yourself in the captivating heritage of the UAE.
Indulge in the finest Emirati cuisine and discover local culinary traditions at the Emirates Palace's award-winning restaurants. Savor the flavors of Arabia in a truly magnificent setting.
While not directly associated with a single famous person, the Emirates Palace has hosted numerous celebrities, royalty, and dignitaries, adding to its allure and prestige.
Unveil the splendor of Emirates Palace with a personalized private tour. Explore its magnificent interiors, learn about its history, and indulge in its luxurious offerings. Book your exclusive Emirates Palace tour today and create unforgettable memories. Don't miss out; book your private tour now!
Always private. It’s just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.
Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.
Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.
"We booked a tour with Anamaria well in advance of our trip to Abu Dhabi. We chose a female guide due to our concerns about male/female interactions in the UAE. We had a wonderful time touring with Ana! She was personable and easy to understand. She was easily able to adjust our start time and the sequence of our tour to take advantage of the cooler times of the day to take my wife's heat intolerance into account. We left the choice of attractions to her, and really enjoyed the Grand Mosque and all the other sites. We highly recommend Ana's services to all. If we return to Abu Dhabi, we will definitely hire her again to see even more of the wonderful sights there!"
"We loved our tour with Reem and her recommendations. She was very welcoming and answered all of our questions. She also gave us some tips for our following days in the city. We certainly would repeat the experience if we came back to Abu Dhabi. "
"We had a great day with Reem, who gave us a very good overview and answered patiently all our questions. Highly recommended."
"I had my tour with Annamarie and she was fantastic. She picked up and dropped off at the airport. She was incredibly nice and so informative about the places we toured and the City in general. She has a great sense of humour and very easy to talk with. I highly recommend Annamarie for any tour. She was awesome"
"Sandy was an outstanding tour guide! He knew all the great places to go and was willing to tailor the tour to our interests. He knows the history of the area and a lot of interesting facts, which made it fun. He also took awesome pictures for us at each location. We stopped for lunch and included him in our feast at the fish market. Don’t hesitate to book with Sandy it was an AMAZING day"
"Sandy catched us from our hotel and then we drove to Abu Dhabi. We made a lot of stopps. A greater stopp was at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. That was really very impressing. He explained us the facts and had all answers to our questions. After this we went to the former Kempinski Hotel, then we wanted to see some spots away from the grand tourism (meat and fish- market…) And he fullfilled our wish to have lunch in a typical Arabian Restaurant. It was an awsome experience and very delicious. And on our way back to Dubai we had a look at the racing place from Formula 1. We spent 8 hours with Sandy and we Are very thankful for this time. We can highly recommend him and this tour. And the driver was very kind, also. Thanks for all, Sandy."
"If you want to visit Abu Dhabi and you are looking for a (very) GOOD tour guide, we can highly recommend Reem. The contact with her is smooth. She responds quickly. Very pleasant. We really had a great morning with her. We first visited the Formula1 circuit, afterwards we went to the beautiful mosque and before turning back to the cruise ship we visited one of the dates factory. She provided us with a lot of information about the city, city life, her life, religion, the dates and answered a lot of questions. During the visit to the mosque we were also provided with a lot of information, very nice. We LOVED being out with her. Reem, thanks again, we wish you and your family all the best!"


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Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.