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A layover tour of the Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi

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Updated: 21st November 2016

Finally, I made it.

This building has been on my ‘bucket-list’ list for a long time. It is actually the only thing on that list in the UAE. With a flying stopover in the UAE, I knew I had to dash out of the airport and visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Let me show you why…

One of the Biggest Mosques in the World

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is the third largest mosque in the world, with only those in Saudi Arabia beating it in size.

It also lays claim to another weird first, the world’s largest carpet, which is a title it stole from Oman when it opened.

It is a must-visit even if you only have a few hours on a layover. Although if you have a longer layover, or a day in the city, then you might want to book a local Abu Dhabi tour to maximise your sight-seeing time, as there is certainly more than the mosque to see here.

The Mosque has very generous opening hours to the public as it is only closed for tourists on Friday from 9 am to 4:30 pm, and during Ramadan, the opening times change. You can check current opening times here.

Clearing the airport was relatively quick in Abu Dhabi on my morning flight, and although my brain was shot from no sleep, I think it only took about 20 minutes to drive from T3 to the Mosque at a cost of around £30 round trip (there is an additional charge when leaving the airport and taxis were already waiting outside the Mosque gates to return. Buses also go relatively nearby, but I was on a time limit). Entrance to the Mosque is free.

Grand Mosque Tours

There are regular tours on the hour around the Mosque; however, if you did want to join one of these to learn the facts, I would highly recommend visiting before taking photos. While 4:30 pm is reported to be a popular time for the golden hour, I was in luck and had a morning flight, meaning I could be at the doors for the 9 am opening.

I highly recommend you aim to be the first of the day here as the crowds descend quickly. If you want to photograph the Grand Mosque without heaps of people milling around, get in, take the photographs and then re-explore to see the true beauty of the building.

If you have bags or anything that needs to be stored, free facilities are provided. The Grand Mosque Dress Code is covered (including a scarf) for women, and knees and shoulders for men – additional garments can be provided if you are not dressed correctly but if you are already in the region I am sure you have the right gear.

But is it really that beautiful?

After seeing photos of the building online for many years I was convinced it would not live up to my expectations, the reality, however, was so different and I’m glad I decided to come here than have my stopover in Dubai.

You can not fathom how incredible, polished, clean and intricate this building is until you are walking through its corridors. The sheer scale of the domes and arched roofs against the tiny details which catch your eye does not come across in any photos.

The interior building, with its detailed carpets, unimaginable chandeliers and perfectly designed glass windows, is a sight you will not forget. I would go as far as saying for sheer beauty this beat photographing the Taj Mahal for me, although as such a recent building, it lacks the history.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque Facts

Other than being the 3rd largest Mosque and having the largest carpet, there are some incredible facts behind the perfectly polished marble.

Taking around 10 years to build, the Mosque is made up of laser-cut marble, gold and crystals, and over 3000 workers took part in its construction. Given some of the reports I have read about construction workers’ rights and how they arrive in this part of the world, I was keen to try and find a reliable source on the construction of the mosque, which, as yet, I haven’t been able to.

It also covers an incredible area of around 30 acres.

As you walk around the building, you will be blown away by the chandeliers, which show an abundance (waste?) of wealth, with each one containing more Swarovski crystals than you could count. Sadly, the biggest of the bunch only takes the title of 2nd largest in the world, I was told.

The marble pillars, close to 100, which surround the palace, are also worth a close-up look due to the mother of pearl which sits within. Everything about this building screams design perfection, and I haven’t even been able to bring myself to Google the cost of building it.

Taking out everything else from the equation, there is no denying that this Mosque is one incredible piece of architecture. In real life, it is even more beautiful than my eye and camera could ever capture.

9 replies
  1. Altan Attaturk says:

    Hey! It was a fantastic article. While a visit to Dubai, this place is listed in must-go areas. When I use to go there, it was to be a fantastic tour visiting such sites and going for UAE desert safari, as your tour to UAE would be incomplete without a desert safari.

  2. Shedi says:

    Sheikh Zayed Mosque is part of my tour when friends and family come to visit me in Dubai. I’ve been a few times now but still learned more from your post. Some of those numbers are incredible. 41,000 worshippers at one time, wow, and I wasn’t aware the carpet was hand-knotted. It certainly makes an impression. Thanks, Keri!

  3. Vadim says:

    I was there too. The most gorgeous mosque I have ever seen. Abu Dabhi is wortht to visit just for two reasons: Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Ferrari Park. But, not in summer, it’s crazy:)

  4. skyeclass says:

    I just visited this morning! Luckily I managed to do exactly as you recommend, before I read your post. Spent a couple hours taking photos, and then did the walking tour. The place seriously blew me away, and I kept finding myself stopped and just staring dumbly at the marvel of the place. It’s true, photos just don’t do it justice.

  5. badfish says:

    very nicely done, great photos and information! I was inside the mosque maybe 10 years ago, and also watched it being built a while before that. You’re right…it’s admirable.

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