Women must wear long loose fitting trousers, dresses or skirts, long sleeves and a headscarf. From Saturday to Thursday Sheikh Zayed Mosque’s opening hours are 9 am to 10 pm. In a way, this tour can even be called the ‘Highlights of Abu Dhabi’ tour. If you can afford it, it is better to take a taxi to the Mosque. If you previously visited the mosque more than a couple of years ago, you will see a big difference when you return. I don’t have Abu Dhabi on my radar just yet in terms of travel, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t. This chandelier is inspired by the date palm tree, which is a standard feature of the region. Later you spend some time driving around and seeing the breathtaking skyscrapers and luxury hotels. Even if you have visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the past, a few things have changed in the last few years. Marina Bay Sands Review: Is Marina Bay Sands Worth It? Abu Dhabi UAE Universities in Abu Dhabi. The Grand Mosque project was introduced by the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late President of the United Arab Emirates, who wanted a structure should be built that unite the cultural diversity of … Yes, that’s right. The cheapest way to visit from Dubai is to take the bus but it will take at least twice as long as driving and transfer to a local bus. However, seeing the Mosque by yourself is not advisable. Standing in the middle of the courtyard, you can view the architectural marvels of the Mosque borrowed from different countries and cultures. The pools are photographed by thousands of visitor every year in hope to win the Spaces of Light photo completion. All Rights Reserved. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Shoes are not allowed inside the mosque (which is not currently open to the public unless you are on a guided tour). Besides, during sunset the Abu Dabhi Mosque looks out of the World. Rihanna was asked to leave the mosque in 2013 for taking inappropriate photos. If you prefer to wear your own clothes for photos, make sure to follow the dress code as it is strictly enforced. Every thirty minutes buses bound for Abu Dhabi leave the Al Ghubaiba bus station in Bur Dubai. We present below two highly-rated combo tours popular amongst tourists visiting Abu Dhabi. A taxi covers the distance in around 90 minutes, so you save a half hour of your precious time. When researching my trip, I read that the golden hour before sunset was one of the best times to visit the mosque for photography because you can take photos of the mosque when the light is soft and you can stick around to take photos during the sunset and in the evening. The courtyard alone can hold 30,000 believers and is guarded by four 107 Meters (351 feet) high minarets inspired by three different civilisation Egyptian, North Africa and Turkian. What to see? This 3-day hop on hop off tour is offered by Big Bus travels. You then explore the old Emirati village at the Heritage Village. While entering the foyer, one must adhere to the Mosque’s dress code. It’s also really cool that they will lend you appropriate clothing to wear if you aren’t dressed appropriately. Tours are led by official SZGMC Guides who take visitors around the mosque explaining various elements of the architecture and Islamic culture and answer any questions. We also briefly stopped by the mosque again right after it opened at 9am the next morning and the mosque was significantly less crowded. During Eid, it may be visited by more than 41,000 people. On his death, he was buried in a Mausoleum on the North side of the Mosque. Save it to Pinterest! I thought both times were good for different reasons. The largest mosque in the country, it is the key place of worship for daily, Friday and Eid prayers. On my tour we were allowed to walk on the carpet inside the Main Prayer Hall while other visitors were not allowed inside. This includes guided tours and clothing rentals. Visiting the Mosque Around Sunset. If you need to eat before or after your visit, several restaurants can be found in the underground passage way that connects the mosque to the entrance including Starbucks and Cinnabon with more on the way. If you are thinking of visiting this beautiful mosque here are 10 tips to make the most of your visit and have a great experience. Guided tours7. On crowded days due to long queues, you may need half an hour more. Get Directions. Sheikh Zayed Mosque’s Prayer Hall is lined by the largest carpet in the world. Can you bring an unopened bottle of water? During this tour, your guide will help you explore Sheik Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace (the seven-star luxury hotel), Heritage Village, Museum of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Corniche, and Marina Mall. For the same price, they won’t have any issues driving you back to your hotel in Dubai. While I visited Abu Dhabi a year ago, I have updated this post to include the most current information. There is also a sign posted at the Mosque that lists the time of the next tour. Once you have had your share of adrenalin rush inside the World of Ferrari, you head back to Dubai. 6. All of them are supported by steel cables which can hold up to 36 tonnes of weight. 9. Dress code10. You don’t need to go up to the Abu Dhabi city because the Mosque is 15 Kms (9.3 Miles) before the city centre. The underground visitor center also has several restaurants and a souvenir shop. Once you get down at the Mosque’s bus station, a quick 10-minute walk will get you to its entrance. Tourists who don’t have time to explore the Mosque at night, drive around it to admire its beauty. While the lighting was good before sunset and the mosque was beautiful around sunset, it was very very crowded with tourists. 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