Name the Emirates Palace, think Yas Island with Ferrari World or be historic and say it’s the Louvre Abu Dhabi – if you ask me about the key attraction of the Emirates’ capital, I will always name the Shekh Zayed Grand Mosque. The iconic temple, which you may also know just as the “Grand Mosque”, is just too amazing to me. I had multiple visits to this place, here are 2019 impressions.
This posting comes with a gallery with 115 major size pictures. They are located in the travel gallery.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – Location & Admission
The mosque is located at the very Eastern end of central Abu Dhabi. Skeikh Zayed Grand Mosqie is of course the iconic landmark of the area, but there are some other very interesting places like the beautiful Sheikh Zayed Bridge or Zayed Sports City. You typically reach the mosque by car or taxi, it is of course also included in most hop-on-hop-off sightseeing tours and similar operations. If you come by car, there are plenty of parking spots, outdoor and garage available, for free.
Entrance to the mosque is for free. However, you need to reserve a time slot for your visit. You can walk in and queue, but this may take you one or two hours waiting time in peak periods. Thus, I highly recommend you to pre-register for your visit. You receive a QR code, which you should print out and have with you during the visit. The mosque is open Saturday to Thursday 9:00 to 22:00 hrs. On Fridays, it opens at 16:30, but is open for worship, of course, before. Ramadan times may differ.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – Dresscode
I personally feel that some Arabian dress code rules are less frequently enforced nowadays, e.g. in shopping malls. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a religious place, though, where you have to respect the Arabian dress code rules (which make sense due to the climate anyway). Finally, this just means that you shall at least cover your shoulders and knees (long sleeves are appreciated) and women need to cover their hair. Women can rent abayas for free.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – The Visit
Nowadays, you start your visit of the Grand Mosque in the visitor center, which apart from all services holds the security screening. After you passed that you follow a walkway which brings you right in front of the mosque.
In The Mosque
You likely first take some looks of the mosque from outside before you get in. I won’t bother you with too many architectural details (also because I am not good int those), but if you for example try to count the domes, you should end up with 82. There are four minarets, one in each corner, which are 106 meters high. The building is roughly 420 times 290 meters large.
The area which you likely visit next is the huge mosque yard. It gives a lot of fantastic views – apart from the floral design of the marble floor. The courtyard itself measures 17,000 square meters.
On the opposite side of the point where you enter the building, you can have a look into the Grand Mosqie facilities, including a small part of the prayer rooms and the famous carpet.
After I left the mosque building and went into the park around the park, the sun was just setting. I love these breathtaking views of the park and iconic building.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – Services
The mosque offers all services you need. However, there was no free WiFi at my time of visit. At the end of the tour, you can of course spend some Dirham on memories to take away – either a bit more on the kitsch and touristic side, but also a bit more spiritual elements.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – Gallery
I just love this place – and thus, I want to share 115 pictures with you in the travel gallery:
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – My View
It is a bit of a shame: during my first visit of the mosque a couple of years ago, you were still able to see a lot more of the facilities. Nowadays, there are just too many visitors, too many tourists, to give you all those views. Nevertheless, Skeikh Zayid Grand Mosque is just breathtaking and mind-changing – together with the recently opened Presidential Palace, I would see this place as the most memorable and important one during your time at the U.A.E. capital. Lovely place, especially during sunset – and of course a Top Pick!
Google Streetview
Some of the areas which are nowadays hidden to the public can be explored by a dedicated Google Streetview site, which is quite amazing:
United Arab Emirates – More Postings
Here are all posting of related to the United Arab Emirates:

Sharjah Calligraphy Museum

Home is where the heart is – My Twelve Favorite Cities of the World

Al Noor Island and Butterfly House (Sharjah)


Al Majaz Park & Waterfront Sharjah (Pictured Story)


Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre



Sharjah Archaeological Museum


Khorfakkan – Amphitheatre and Waterfall (Pictured Story)



DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Business Bay


National Museum Ras Al Khaimah


Al Aqah Heritage Village & Car Museum


Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah



Sharjah Off Road History Museum


Jais Sledder – a 1,800 Meter Alpine Coaster in the U.A.E.



Last Exit Al Khawaneej (Dubai)



Driving Up Jebel Jais Mountain


Sharjah Central Souq (Pictured Story)


Marhaba Lounge Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 1


Al Madam Ghost Town (Pictures Story)



DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront


Dhayah Fort (Ras Al Khaimah)


Car Rental Review – Hertz Dubai Intl. T1 (DXB) – Toyota Camry


Quranic Park Dubai


Riding the Swan Adventure Pedal Boat in Dubai – A Special Ride and Posting


Souk Madinat Jumeirah Dubai (Pictured Story)



Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization


The Retreat Palm Dubai – MGallery by Sofitel


Arabia’s Wildlife Centre (Sharjah)


Flyctory.com Best Ones 2021


Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai Hotel



High Tea at At.mosphere Burj Khalifa Dubai


Lufthansa Senator Lounge at Dubai (DXB) Terminal 1


My Top 15 Airports Flown – With Some Brief Thoughts


Cereal Killer Cafe Dubai


Madame Tussauds Dubai



ME Hotel Dubai


Expo 2020 Dubai – The Sustainability District Pavilions


Expo 2020 Dubai – The Al Forsan Pavilions


Expo 2020 Dubai – The Jubilee Pavilions


Expo 2020 Dubai – The Opportunity District Pavilions


Expo 2020 Dubai – The Mobility District Pavilions



Expo 2020 in Dubai – My General Overview


Expo 2020 – Garden In The Sky


Ain Dubai – The World Largest Ferris Wheel



Sharjah Aquarium


Sharjah Maritime Museum



InterContinental Dubai Festival City – One Bedroom Suite


Hampton by Hilton Dubai Airport


Al Hisn Fort Sharjah


The Lost Chambers Aquarium (Atlantis Hotel Dubai)


Robo Cafe Dubai


My Full Tour With The Palm Monorail (Dubai)



Pullman Sharjah



Car Rental Review – Sixt (Dubai Int. (DXB) T3) – GAC GS3


Abu Dhabi Khalifa Park Museum & Aquarium



Etihad Museum Dubai


At The Top – Visiting Burj Khalifa in Dubai


V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton



Mleiha Archaeological Centre


Yas Mall Abu Dhabi



Riding the Dubai Ferry


Al Seef – A Historic District at Dubai Creek



Dubai Garden Glow


Coffee Museum Dubai


Winter Time at IMG Worlds of Adventure Dubai


Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton


Al Shindagha Museum & Perfume House (Dubai)


Abu Dhabi Eco Donut Boats (Catamaran Tour)


Ferrari World Abu Dhabi


Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef


Dubai – A December 2020 Pandemic Disappointment


Car Rental Review – Europcar Dubai Int. (DXB) T3 (December 2020) – Mazda 6



Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi


Visiting Fujairah Museum


Fujairah Fort (Pictured Story)


Sharjah Classic Car Museum


Green Planet – a Small Rain Forest in Dubai



Afternoon Tea with a View at Observation Deck at 300 in Abu Dhabi



Wahat Al Karama – the Abu Dhabi Oasis of Dignity


Marriott Hotel Al Forsan (Abu Dhabi)



Dream Aero Boeing 737 NG Simulator Dubai


Arabian Gulf League (Soccer) at Baniyas Stadium



ThEATre by Rhodes – U.A.E.-style Luxury Cinema


Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival



Abu Dhabi New Year’s Eve Dhow Cruise with Extreme Arabia


Flyctory.com Best Ones 2019



Sharjah Al Mahatta Historic Airport Museum



Conrad Dubai


A Special Roundabout in Sharjah


Visting the Dubai Frame


VR Park – A Virtual Reality Theme Park in Dubai



Royal High Tea at the Emirates Palace


Swiss A330-300 Business Class from Zurich to Dubai


Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island (Review)



Visiting the Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace


Emirates Aviation Experience London


Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi


Hub Zero – A Gamer’s Paradise



Last Exit and Mad X – Alternative Refueling



Dubai Miracle Garden – A flowerful Wonderland


Air Belgium Business Class from London to Dubai



Global Village Dubai – simply amazing!



Emirates National Auto Museum


Novotel Dubai Al Barsha (Hotel Review)



Ibn Battuta Mall – My favourite Dubai Shopping Destination


Louvre Abu Dhabi (Review)


Novotel Suites Mall of the Emirates Dubai (Hotel Review)


Legoland Dubai (Review)



Motiongate Dubai (Review)


Bollywood Parks Dubai (Review)


A Visit at Dubai Parks (Overview Article)
Other Top Picks
Here are all other reviews which I rated as excellent and assigned the Top Pick! Award:


Conrad Tokyo


Uncle Lucius – Like It’s The Last One Left


Lufthansa Senator Lounge Frankfurt Airport (FRA) B-Gates


Hyde Park Winter Wonderland


NH Collection Hamburg City


King & Potter – Habits!


DoubleTree by Hilton Toronto Downtown


Treaty Oak Revival – Have a Nice Day


Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown


Museum of the Everyday Culture (Museum der Alltagskultur, Waldenbuch)


Maelfoy – Failures, Fears and Forgiveness


Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge London (LHR) Terminal 3


Presidents Hall of Fame


Dennis Durant – Fragile


Dogma – Dogma


Dining at Pokemon Cafe Tokyo


Finn & Jonas – Kiosk


Myrtle Beach Colored School Museum


D’Virgilio, Morse & Jennings – Sophomore


ibis Hotel Cologne Frechen


The Struts – Pretty Vicious


The Joni Project – Shades of Blue


Luke – Strange Boy in Town


Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh) Highlight Tour


Doro – Conqueress – Forever Strong and Proud


Gatwick Aviation Museum


The Gaslight Anthem – History Books


Mini Golf at Gator Golf Adventure Park Orlando


Chris Shiflett – Lost At Sea


Angelus Apatrida – Aftermath


Israel Nash – Ozarker


FRAUPAUL – Was, wenn wir dann durchdrehen… ?! EP


Holly Humberstone – Paint My Bedroom Black


Owl Cafe “Akiba Fukurou” Tokyo


Car Rental Review – RentYourCar.Fo at Vagar Airport (FAE) – Hyundai i20


Fun Spot America Kissimmee


Exploring Regent’s Canal with London Waterbus Company


The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda


Alexandra Hofmann – Grün


Antje Schomaker – Snacks


Darius Rucker – Carolyn’s Boy


Krakow Airport (KRK) Business Lounge


Hotel Andromeda (Ostend)


Alex Diehl – Das ist keine Übung


Topgolf Oberhausen


Wynwood Walls (Miami)


Atena – Subway Anthem


Collapse Unter The Empire – Recurring


Joe Leila – Breathing EP


Air France Lounge Paris (CDG) Terminal 2G


ibis Styles Bern City


ibis London Shepherd’s Bush


Post-Plaza Guesthouse Husavik


Danko Jones – Electric Sounds


Arabia Steamboat Museum


Flying with FLN Frisia-Luftverkehr from Harle (EDXP) to Wangerooge (AGE)


Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands


Bellucci Boi – Lost in Berlin EP


Allison Russell – The Returner


Durry – Suburban Legend


Quality Inn Arena (Wilkes-Barre)


Henri Tudor Museum (Rosport, Luxembourg)


Holiday Inn Express Dublin City Centre


Andorra National Automobile Museum


Marduk – Memento Mori


Melanie Wiegmann & Carl Carlton – Glory of Love


Gregor McEwan – Going Solo


Philipp Artmann – Guten Morgen schönes Leben


Alice Cooper – Road


RiKu Hotel Pfullendorf


Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum


Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik


TracieLynn – More Than a Bad Habit EP


Bobby Rush – All My Love For You


Madsen – Hollywood


Hampton Inn Pittsburgh – Bridgeville


Airport Marrakech-Menara (RAK)


Atreyu – The Moment You Find Your Flame EP


Hilton Garden Inn Krakow Airport


Uncaved – Dogmatorraistes


John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum (Boston)


Pullman Cologne


Ludwig Wright – Turn of Tides or Where the Waves Come From


Bianca James – Bianca James


Mammoth WVH – Mammoth II


Mercure Hotel Severinshof Cologne City


Sasha – Toto und der Mann im Mond (music album)


Santans – Koi Boi EP


Fury in the Slaughterhouse – Hope


Hampton by Hilton Dortmund Phoenix See


Pinball Perfection (Pittsburgh)


Icelandair Boeing 737 MAX Saga Premium Class


Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway – City of Gold


Hamburg Coffee Museum Burg


Lori McKenna – 1988


Iberia Dali VIP Lounge Madrid T4 (Madrid MAD)


nhow Frankfurt


Tom Astor – Wieder da!


Jim “Kimo” West – Of Wood and Spirit (American Guitar Stories)


Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando Theme Parks


Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real – Sticks and Stones


Sean Patrick McGraw – Hillbilly Hippie


1476 – In Exile


Maihaugen Lillehammer


Hafdals Hotel Akureyri


Sylvia Aimee – Identity EP


Lucinda Williams – Stories From A Rock N Roll Heart


Whale Watching with North Sailing Husavik (Iceland)


Lane Motor Museum (Nashville)


Pascal Blenke – Gedankenspiele


American Space Museum (Titusville)


Ayron Jones – Chronicles Of The Kid


Wuppertaler Schwebebahn (Wuppertal Suspension Railroad)


Saturnus – The Storm Within


Steve Lukather – Bridges


Deer Tick – Emotional Contracts


Larnaca Airport (LCA)


Lava Show Reykjavik


Melia Berlin


Bergen Belsen Concentration Camp Memorial


Puffin Watching at Hafnarholmi in Northeast Iceland


Omnium Gatherum – Slasher EP


Ron Pope – Inside Voices


Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum Nashville


Hrafnavellir Guest House (Hornafirdi, Iceland)


Tanya Tucker – Sweet Western Sound


Oryad – Sacred & Profane


Sören Vogelsang – Optimismus Prime


Brandy Clark – Brandy Clark


Marathonmann – Maniac


Yes – Mirror To The Sky


Forest Lagoon Akureyri


Moor – Heavy Heart


Bunk’Art 1 (Tirana)


Anna Demetriou – More To This


Adagio Hotel Bremen


Indecent Behavior – Therapy In Melody


Husavik Eurovision Exhibition


Museum of Jewish Heritage


Andreas Diehlmann Band – Long Way To Go


Sebel – Der Boxer


Local Archaeological Museum of Kourion (Cyprus)


Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor Museum


Philip Bradatsch – Philip Bradatsch


Storm Seeker – Nautic Force


Walking the City Walls of Dubrovnik


Dave Hause – Drive It Like It’s Stolen


Nature Museum (Naturmuseum) Dortmund


Flying Contour Airlines Embraer E135


As Everything Unfolds – Ultraviolet


Kati von Schwerin – Welcome Back Home


Esther Rose – Safe To Run


Texas Hippie Coalition – The Name Lives On


Car Rental Review – if Rent Andorra La Vella (Carlemany)


Grand Design – Rawk


Dutch Railway Museum Utrecht


German Rail (Deutsche Bahn) Lounge Hamburg – Premium Area



Al Noor Island and Butterfly House (Sharjah)


IntercityHotel Hannover Hauptbahnhof Ost


Jennifer K. Austin – Cards EP


Lordi – Screem Writers Guild


VIVA – Das ist die Wahrheit


Hampton by Hilton Frankfurt Airport


Milow – Great To Know You EP


British Airways Boeing B777 Club Suite Cabin


Black Hawk – Soulkeeper


Katie Melua – Love & Money


Sophie B. Hawkins – Free Myself


Sophia – Niemals Allein


Hampton by Hilton Utrecht Central Station


Kourion Archaeological Park


Leony – Somewhere in Between


Watching Kansas City from Liberty Memorial Tower


Premier Inn Hamburg St. Pauli


American Airlines / British Airways Soho Lounge New York JFK Terminal 8


Night Demon – Outsider


Stephen Jay – understatement


Timesbold – Not Still Here


Ailbhe Reddy – Endless Affair


Kendall Lujan – Forget Me Knots EP


GEODIS Park Stadium Tour (Nashville)


Brian Falduto – Gay Country


DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown


Car Rental Review – Sixt Goslar – Audi A6 Quattro


Umberto Panini Collection Motor Museum


Gateway Arch St. Louis


Wolfgang Petry – Stark wie wir


Lina – 24/1


Drayton Farley- Twenty on High


AnnenMayKantereit – Es ist Abend und wir sitzen bei mir


Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention Center


Helge Schneider – Torero


Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum (Pittsburgh)


Dierks Bentley – Gravel & Gold


Tanzwut – Silberne Hochzeit


P!nk – Trustfall


Ron Sexsmith – The Vivian Line


Hampton by Hilton Dublin City Centre


Malte Vief und Malte Viefs Kammer – Kammer III


The Legendary – Warlord


Simone Kopmajer – With Love


Cyprus Museum (Nicosia)


The Rehats – Heart & Mind


Eamonn McCormack – Eamonn McCormack


Premier Inn Saarbruecken City Centre


Hampton Inn & Suites Albany Downtown


Puttshack White City (London)


Pristine – The Lines We Cross


Joe Henry – All The Eye Can See


German Rail (Deutsche Bahn) Premium Lounge Berlin Main Station


Sofitel London Heathrow (Terminal 5)


Laura Cox – Head Above Water


Sonic Wildhearts – Get It On


Lukas Graham – 4 (The Pink Album)


Richard Lynch – Radio Friend


Hilton Garden Inn Tirana


Groenalund – #lovestorm


Riding the TECO Line Streetcar in Tampa


Clarion Collection Hotel Hammer (Lillehammer)


National World War I Museum (Kansas City)


Car Rental Review – Hertz Kansas City Airport (MCI) – Ford Explorer


Hotel Fürst Bismarck (Hamburg)


Wasserturm Hotel Cologne (Curio Collection by Hilton)


Museum of Miniature (Ordino, Andorra)


Brightline Premium Lounge West Palm Beach


Frankfurt Airport (Fraport) Visitors’ Center


Madame Tussauds New York


Gabbie Hanna – This Time Next Year


Top of the Rock Observation Deck


Museum of Graffiti (Miami)


Senator John Heinz History Center Pittsburgh


Crazy Putt London


Adam Warner – What We’re Known For


Hampton Inn @Aviation Plaza Linden (New Jersey)


Panorama Pergamonmuseum Berlin


Poppy Fardell – Back On My Feet


Nevena – Nevena


Upsahl – Sagittarius EP


Sündflut – Basta! EP


Nina Hagen – Unity


Sea Life Oberhausen


Isafjord – Hjartsatjaki


Myle – Sad Boy Summer EP


German Rail Museum (DB Museum) Nuremberg


Boppin’ B – Saxbomb


TWA Museum Kansas City


St. Pauli “Kult Kieztour” with Barbie Stupid and Lee Jackson


Sarah Connor – Not So Silent Night


Millerntor Stadium Tour – Home of the FC St. Pauli


Lufthansa Bistro Lounge Frankfurt (FRA) C14/C15


Tina Tandler – Songs for Saxophone


Live Forever: A Tribute To Billy Joe Shaver (Various Artists)


Rook Road – Rook Road


Hampton Inn & Suites Poughkeepsie


Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (Nashville)


Seth Avett – Seth Avett Sings Greg Brown


Stephanie Quayle – On The Edge


The Moon City Masters – The Famous Moon City Masters


Sleep Inn & Suites Tampa South


Russell Dickerson – Russell Dickerson


High-Speed Train Rides in Florida with Brightline


Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience (New York City)


Aspire Lounge Inverness Airport (INV)


Massive Wagons – Triggered!


Wally – Alles halb so wild


Landeszeughaus Graz – The World Largest Weaponry


Dutch Open Air Museum Arnhem (Openluchtmuseum)


Brightline Premium Lounge Miami


Chez Kane – Powerzone


Arny Margret – they only talk about the weather


Kenny Foster – Somewhere in Middle America


Avantasia – A Paranormal Evening With The Moonflower Society


Taylor Swift – Midnights


Panagia tis Asinou Church


Alex Williams – Waging Peace


Here It Is: A Tribute to Leonard Cohen (Various Artists)


Takis Pattichis Museum of Industrial Pharmacy (Limassol)


MAP Boutique Hotel Nicosia


Madame Tussauds Nashville



Sharjah Archaeological Museum


Melissa Naschenweng – Glück


Ashley McBryde – Lindeville


Radisson Red Oslo Airport


Staying Overnight at the VIWA Private Spa Wuppertal


Richard Marx – Songwriter


Dr. John – Things Happen That Way


Kelsea Ballerini – Subject To Change


Billy Idol – The Cage EP


Silent Knight – Full Force


Phänomenta Lüdenscheid


Riding the Kansas City Streetcar


LeAnn Rimes – God’s Work


Kane Brown – Different Man


Charley Crockett – The Man From Waco


Roland Kaiser – Perspektiven


Jon Pardi – Mr. Saturday Night


Megadeth – The Sick, The Dying… and The Dead!


INNSIDE Dusseldorf Derendorf


Glen Campbell Museum


Louisa Specht – Karussell EP


Heather Nova – Other Shores


Drei Meter Feldweg – Durak


Car Rental Review – Alamo Nashville Airport (BNA) – Toyota Camry


Holiday Home Wonderland (Ralingen)


German Röntgen Museum Remscheid



DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Business Bay


Watkins Family Hour – Vol. 2


Thundermother – Black And Gold


Ystafell Auto Museum (Iceland)


Red Roof Plus+ Nashville Airport


Polish Aviation Museum (Krakow)


Wade Bowen – Somewhere Between The Secret and The Truth


Tawern Roman Temple District


Hampton Inn & Suites Kansas City Downtown/Crossroads


Amon Amarth – The Great Heathen Army


Pete Wolf Band – Crosswalk To Nowhere EP


Paola Inn and Suites (Paola, KS)


H.E.A.T. – Force Majeure


KölnTriangle Cologne View – a great View of Cologne


New Bedford Whaling Museum


LustfingeR – LustfingeR


Brooke Eden – Choosing You EP


Whiskey Myers – Tornillo


Icelandic Aviation Museum (Akureyri)


Car Rental Review – Avis Nashville Airport (BNA) – GMC Acadia


Tennessee State Capitol (Nashville)


More Than Words – Today (Make Today Be the Best Day of Your Life)


Alan Parsons – From the New World


Graz Coin Cabinet (Münzkabinett)


Hampton by Hilton Warsaw Airport


Journey – Freedom


Premier Inn London Paddington Basin


Jonny Houlihan – Coffee and Jesus


Kylie Morgan – P.S. EP


Ryman Auditorium Self-Guided Tour


Pig Museum (SchweineMusuem) Stuttgart


Luke Combs – Growin’ Up


Halton County Radial Railway / Streetcar Museum


The Cumberland River Project – A Smell of Gravy


Museum at Bethel Woods – The Original Site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival


Brett Eldredge – Songs About You


Clara Louise – Enough Is Enough


Museum of The Story of Alfa Romeo


Kasalla – Rudeldiere


Comfort Inn Nashville – Opryland Area


Carrie Underwood – Denim & Rhinestones


Mary Keey – Digital Me


Kyle Daniel – Following the Rain

