The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the UAE. The iconic nature inspired mosaic makes the mosque look like a painting in marble. The design of the floral patterns is so in distinguishable from reality, it seems that they have actually paved plants, flowers, and leaves in the structure. It is a breathtaking monument. It is a testament to the artistic excellence and one of the best places in Abu Dhabi to admire the grandeur of the Emirati culture.
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Best Time to Visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque:
Majority of you visit to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque comprises of outdoor viewing, so morning and evening time would be optimal. Evening is more advisable as you will be able to admire the beauty and architecture of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in the morning sun as well as the brilliant decoration that is adorned on the SZGMC post sun-down.
Visit Timing:
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque timings on weekdays (Saturday to Thursday) are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Friday, which is a weekend, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque visiting hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Address:
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre
Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
The structure is quite prominent in size, and you will be able to spot it easily from a distance.
Fees:
Sheikh Zayed Mosque ticket price is zero. The entry for visitors is absolutely free. There are no additional costs, no tickets, and no hidden prices.
There are also guided tours taking place 3 days a week. Tickets for these tours are priced at AED 66.
Time Required to explore this place:
A casual visit exploring the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque would take around an hour. The guided tour or a proper exploratory visit tased about 2 hours. For those intently admiring the architecture, the visit may last well over 2 hours.
Things to Remember Visiting Sheikh Zayed Mosque:
Dress Modestly:
First and foremost, dress appropriately. Visitors are required to dress modestly when visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. For women, full body covering clothes. Also it is required for women to cover their heads as well. For men, full body covering clothes are required. Sleeves tops won’t be allowed when visiting Sheikh Zayed Mosque. If you wish, you can also purchase a local Emirati dress available throughout UAE in a variety of designs and colours. These are the most appropriate clothing for visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Guided Tour:
Guided tour of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque takes you on the wonderful exploration of stories behind the construction, architecture, and history of the Sheikh Zayed Masjid. You can purchase tickets for the guided tour online.
This tour is scheduled 3 days a week, namely Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. The tour for Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on these days are 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 12 p.m. If you are going to take this tour, the 9 a.m. slot is the most advisable. The sunlight is not too harsh and even the crowd is slim. Plus the morning light is better for photographs.
Carry Sunglasses:
Also do carry your shades or sunglasses. The mosque is mostly marble and sun shines bright and heavy. So you will need to protect your eyes form the glare.
Image Reference
- Image 1 – Mathias Apitz (München) / Flickr
- Image 2 – Artur Malinowski / Flickr
- Image 3 – Mathias Apitz (München) / Flickr
- Image 4 – Max Montagut / Flickr
