Stories of ancient mysteries in the Middle East have always intrigued adventurers and seekers of the unknown.
While some prefer the safety of the familiar, others are drawn to the unexplained and supernatural. If you belong to the latter, the tale of the haunted Al Qassimi Palace in Ras Al Khaimah will send chills down your spine.
Located just an hour’s drive from Dubai, deep in the vast Arabian desert, Al Qassimi Palace, also known as Al Qasr Al Gamedh, looks like something straight out of a horror movie. Built in 1985 by Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Qassimi, a member of one of the six ruling families of Sharjah, the palace was meant to be a lavish royal residence. Instead, it became one of the most infamous abandoned buildings in the UAE.
The sheikh spared no expense—the palace boasts Islamic and Arabian-inspired architecture, luxurious chandeliers, rare musical instruments, antiques from around the world, and lavish bedrooms and living spaces. However, despite the wealth and opulent design, the family fled the palace after spending only one night inside.
What drove them away was not the scorching desert heat or the howling winds. It was something far more sinister. Whispers in the hallways, unexplained noises, and supernatural presences filled the palace with such terror that the owners abandoned everything—including valuable artwork and luxury furniture worth millions of dollars.
Over the years, Al Qassimi Palace became the subject of local legends, attracting paranormal investigators and thrill-seekers. Stories of ghostly figures appearing behind stained-glass windows, unexplainable screams, and shadows moving through empty halls have further fueled the mystique of this eerie mansion.
After decades of speculation and ghostly tales, authorities decided to reopen the palace to the public in 2019. Following a major renovation—and, according to some reports, an exorcism—Al Qassimi Palace was transformed into a museum. Visitors can now explore its 35 ornately decorated rooms, admire authentic artwork, and wander through the sprawling gardens with fountains and a lake.
Tickets range between $15 and $20, and those who dare to step inside the former royal residence now have the chance to decide for themselves—is its haunted past truly behind it?
