If you find yourself in the United Arab Emirates, I highly recommend a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Even if you’re staying in Dubai, the capital Abu Dhabi can easily be visited as a day trip since it’s only an hour and a half away from the skyscraper-filled city.
This stunning view that greets you after going through security. Your eyes try to take in the purity of the white marble while at the same time noticing all the architectural details.
One of the first sights that greets you upon entry at the tourist gate is a gorgeous reflecting pool. If you forget to wear clothing or a bring a scarf so you’re covered from head to toe, you can rent a free abeyya with a hood.
The floral design on the floor contains stones including agate, mother-of-pearl and amethyst. I couldn’t resist capturing the worker cleaning the floor! The mosque is absolutely pristine.
It might take you a while to actually enter the mosque because there’s so much beauty to behold while walking there.
The floral motif is seen throughout the interior, including the walls, floors and chandeliers. Make sure you take the time to look up, down and all around!
The artistic design of the prayer hall is quite modern and innovative.
The prayer hall contains the world’s largest loomed carpet. It took 1200 craftsmen 2 years to complete!
One of my favorite floor decorations was this beautiful yellow flower!
Gazing out to enjoy this vista of the mosque! Every place you walk affords a different view to take in.
The main corridor is full of people going to and from the mosque, so if you visit the opposite side (near the women’s toilet) you can marvel at the architecture and pillars of an empty corridor!
I am obsessed with bougainvillea and had noticed it all around Dubai and Abu Dhabi. I captured this pop of pink color against the white mosque when departing.
Does this post make you want to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi? Or if you’ve been before, share your experience in the comments!
I went last year. Very strict with attire. It was nice place to see. Cool pic 🙂
Oh my goodness, these photos (and the mosque) are gorgeous!! In that one pic with the rug, do you have to take your shoes off inside? Great post! 🙂
Amazing photos. I was there, visiting with you! Thank you.
I was 3 months ago in Dubai and planned to go to the Grand Mosk in Abu Dhabi also but I had to cancel my plans :(.
Wow – your pictures are incredible! I’m yet to visit Abu Dhabi, but I’ve always been interested in the architecture of mosques 🙂
Gosh!!! I adored this post, your photos are incredible! I lived in Maldives for a year but sadly their mosques are a bit old and basic- a shame for the locals!
Loved your post. This mosque is on my to see list, very high. Looks like there weren’t many tourists which is great.
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This mosque is beautiful. I’m always so fascinated my mosques because of their beauty! I get tired of cathedrals and churches but mosques are a great environment to relax.
Your pictures are just stunning, and I LOVE your blog..so well done! I am so pining to go to Dubai!! Hopefully some day!!
Valerie
Yes, the post absolutely makes me want to visit!! What amazing white walls, and I love the patterns in Islamic art. Thanks for the tip about the importance of being fully covered. The closest I’ve been to a situation like that is needing a scarf to cover my head in Orthodox Russian churches.
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Your pictures are amazing!!! Keep it up!
Stunning photos!
Its an absolutely amazing place – my tour guide taken via http://www.desertsafariabudhabi.net had the Sheikh Zayed Mosque included as a part of our package, so after a 6-hour desert safari between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, we headed to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. You have to simply admire the place and acknowledge the efforts that have gone into one of the most beautiful mosques in the entire world.