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Our visit to Abu Dhabi was brief, with just two full days to explore the city. We took advantage of the flyDubai stopover option during our journey between the Maldives and Italy, with one main goal in mind: visiting and photographing the breathtaking Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Photographer's Tip: If you’re into photography, we also recommend checking out the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the stunning Presidential Palace—both are architecturally beautiful and offer unique photo opportunities.
Booking Your Visit to the Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is free to enter, but I highly recommend booking tickets ahead of time, especially if you’re visiting during the busier winter season.
With only one day for our visit, we booked two time slots—one in the morning and one in the evening. Interestingly, we arrived a little early for our first time slot, but the staff informed us that visitors are allowed to enter up to 90 minutes before their scheduled time. That’s a useful tip if you happen to arrive ahead of schedule!
The Underground Mall
Before you even reach the mosque entrance, there’s an entire underground mall with plenty of shops and restaurants, perfect for killing time or grabbing a bite. After our morning tour, we stopped for a quick soda at McDonald's. One of the staff members asked if we had tried their coffee, claiming it was better than the McDonald's coffee back in the U.S. If you give it a shot, let us know how it compares!
What to Wear in the UAE
Packing for the UAE stressed me out a bit since we were on a 5-week trip through four countries with only one backpack each. While we were aiming for lightweight packing with mostly shorts and tank tops, the United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country, and modest clothing is recommended—and sometimes required.
In public areas, especially tourist spots, the dress code is more relaxed for visitors. Still, we wanted to be respectful. Here’s what we found to be the best guide:
Women: Cover your shoulders and knees. Think T-shirts and long shorts or lightweight pants.
Men: Shorts down to your knees and T-shirts or short-sleeve shirts that cover your shoulders.
At the Mosque: The dress code at the mosque is much stricter, but it's easy to comply with the rules.
Footwear: Open sandals are allowed for both men and women. While I had read that visitors must remove shoes, we weren’t asked to do so. Temporary floors had been installed over the prayer room carpets during our visit, but be prepared in case this changes.
Women's Dress Code at the Mosque
Clothing: Women must wear long sleeves that reach the wrists and long pants down to the ankles. Avoid see-through clothing or garments with slits. I read not to wear white, but my white technical shirt was fine.
Headcover: You’ll need a scarf or wrap to cover your hair. I noticed some women had issues with this, and the guards asked them to fix their wraps to cover more fully. I wore a simple black scarf, and it worked perfectly.
If your outfit doesn’t meet the dress code, they will send you back to the mall to purchase an abaya, a long gown with a hood. While these were once available for free, now they are sold at reasonable prices in the stores near the entrance.
Men's Dress Code at the Mosque
Clothing: Men must wear long pants or shorts that reach the knees and shirts that cover the shoulders. Shirts with logos or bold designs might not be allowed, so plain attire is best. If your clothing doesn’t meet the requirements, they will also direct you to the mall to buy an abaya, just as they do for women.
Additional Tips for Visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Air Conditioning: The only air-conditioned areas are the prayer rooms, which are a small but very beautiful part of the tour. Despite the heat, these rooms are not to be missed.
Photographers: Tripods are allowed, but only outside the mosque. Always ask for permission before setting up, just to be polite.
Where to Stay in Abu Dhabi
If you’re looking for a luxury stay, we recommend the Ritz Carlton. With exceptional service, easy access to taxis, a fantastic pool to cool off, and a huge breakfast buffet, it’s an ideal base. Plus, the restaurants on-site are top-notch.
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