In a way, this tour can even be called the ‘Highlights of Abu Dhabi’ tour. Can you bring an unopened bottle of water? You can cancel 24 hours before your visit and get a full refund. 6. These modern and air-conditioned buses take about two hours to reach the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Allow sufficient time for the long walk through the visitor center to the mosque. The carpet, made by a third-generation carpet master from Iran, was delivered in nine pieces in two jumbo jets. Known as pushing force behind the changing landscape of Gulf, Sheikh Zayed died in 2004, three years before the Grand Mosque was completed. Also known as the ‘Pearl of the Gulf’, this Mosque was designed by architects from Britain, Italy and Emirati, and inspired by designs from Pakistan, Turkey, Morocco and Egypt. 3. Female visitors must cover their head and hair with a headscarf. Mosque timings3. General visiting hours are from 9 am to 10 pm Saturday – Thursday and 4:30 p.m. to 10pm on Fridays (on Friday mornings the mosque is closed to tourists and is only open for worship). The main prayer hall of the Mosque is a hangar-sized room divided into two for separate sexes. You spend one day in each city, exploring the tourist attractions. All Rights Reserved. She believes that the world is full of must-see places and must-do adventures, and has a never-ending list of places she wants to visit. Be prepared to be impressed and awed. This mosque is on my list for sure. Like this post? It is embellished with intricate designs and details both on the inside and outside. 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 … The construction of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque began in 1996 and finished in 2007. This 3-day hop on hop off tour is offered by Big Bus travels. Adult ticket (11+ years): 172 AED (46 USD)Children ticket (3 to 10 years): 142 AED (38 USD). Here is the link to the mosque’s official website for the current tour schedule. All of them are supported by steel cables which can hold up to 36 tonnes of weight. General visiting hours are from 9 am to 10 pm Saturday … Each letter of the verse is painted with a gold leaf and is written in a popular style called An-Naskh. Get Directions. It is made primarily by the wool imported from New Zealand and took 16 months to weave. There are numerous combo tours in Abu Dhabi which give you a chance to see more than just the Grand Mosque. On crowded days due to long queues, you may need half an hour more. Apart from being a tourist attraction, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is an active religious place where people come to worship. I can’t wait to visit this place in the future. Combo tours8. Although the fairy-tale structure catches your eye the moment you step in, there are certain must-sees you can’t miss. The Mosque is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who was well known for uniting the Emirates and forming what is now known as the United Arab Emirates. Personally, I would avoid the middle of the day since it can get very hot and the lighting will probably not be as great for photos. Adult ticket (12+ years): 337 AED (92 USD)Children ticket (4 to 11 years): 258 AED (73 USD). Below are a few day tours from Dubai that visit the mosque: Hopefully these tips have prepared you to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and you know what to expect. Once you get down at the Mosque’s bus station, a quick 10-minute walk will get you to its entrance. However, seeing the Mosque by yourself is not advisable. I had mine on but I can only imagine if I hadn’t. 9. After getting picked up from Dubai, you first explore the Mosque, Emirates Palace and the Heritage Village. Rihanna was asked to leave the mosque in 2013 for taking inappropriate photos. 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. The domes and pillars of the Mosque are lit in magical colours depicting the lunar cycle. There is also a sign posted at the Mosque that lists the time of the next tour. It was not clear how they decide who gets which color but presumably there are different sizes and/or lengths. The Mosque is enveloped in cold white light on the full moon evening and is washed with a blue light on no-moon evenings. You can expect that it will take you at least 10-15 minutes to walk through and reach the mosque from the entrance depending how fast you walk and how crowded it is. The Main Prayer Hall holds the largest of the seven grand chandeliers. Visiting the Mosque Around Sunset. The Mosque is 15 KM (9.3 Miles) from Abu Dhabi city, and a quick 12-minute taxi ride can get you there. 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. Then it just ends up being a beautifully constructed building. What is the best time to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque? Besides, during sunset the Abu Dabhi Mosque looks out of the World. I also read that the morning right after the mosque opens at 9 am was a good time to visit because it is less crowded and the temperature was not as hot. 1. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque offers free guided walk-in tours at designated times. Admission to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is free. I would definitely want to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque when I get to visit Abu Dhabi! This 4-hour tour of the city of Abu Dhabi starts off with a visit to Sheikh Zayed Mosque. 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. That’s an incredible mosque! The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Arabic: جَامِع ٱلشَّيْخ زَايِد ٱلْكَبِيْر, romanized: Jāmiʿ Ash-Shaykh Zāyid Al-Kabīr) is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. I saw signs that McDonalds, Pinkberry and Papa Johns were opening soon. Sheikh Zayed Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi, 129 Kms (80 Miles) from Dubai. Unlike in the US, Uber is more expensive in Abu Dhabi than taxis. While visiting the Mosque, one must not wear pants, shorts or skirts which end above the ankle. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The best time to visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque is as soon as they open at 9 am, or later in the evening during sunset. # Desert Safari Dubai# Burj Khalifa# Dubai Fountain Show# Dubai Aquarium# Ski Dubai. Like any popular tourist attraction, weekends are slightly more crowded than weekdays. Although the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is located 129 Kms (80 Miles) from Dubai most tourists visiting Dubai add it to their itinerary because of the excellent connectivity. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a must see attraction in Abu Dhabi. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Visiting hours are different during the month of Ramadan so make sure to check the official website if visiting at that time. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is open every day from 9am to 10pm except on Friday mornings when the mosque is closed for prayer. Adult ticket (12+ years): 330 AED (90 USD)Child ticket (4 to 11 years): 275 AED (75 USD). This chandelier is inspired by the date palm tree, which is a standard feature of the region. Even if you have visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the past, a few things have changed in the last few years. If you are staying in Abu Dhabi, we suggest you take a taxi to reach the Mosque. The mosque was beautiful in the morning because the marble looked really white against the very blue sky. 1,200 artisans worked on the hand-knotted carpet, which when rolled covers 5,700 sqm. Related Articles. Apart from the gold calligraphy, the Foyer is also jewelled with one of the seven giant chandeliers. The Qibla wall facing Mecca is engraved with 99 names that Muslims attribute to God in Arabic calligraphy. If you’re into photography, you must plan your visit at sunset or just before sunset. After you have had your fill of the Abu Dhabi skyline, you get back to Dubai. After you get picked up from your hotel in Dubai, the first stop is the Mosque. If you are on a budget holiday, we recommend combination tours and tickets. It covers an area of more than 12 hectares (30 acres). On Friday, the Mosque stays closed during the morning hours and opens after 4:30 pm. We usually reply within 24 hours. Visitors are expected to adhere to the dress code which is posted at the mosque and on the mosque’s official website. It can hold 10,000 worshipers.