Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

When you are in Abu Dhabi, it's hard to miss this mosque. It is absolutely stunning and almost looks like a vision or a painting, not quite real, from far away. It's open for everyone and they even have free guided tours a couple of times per day. The tour lasts about an hour and is so worth doing. The guide talks you through the history of it, how everything was constructed and you can ask all the questions you want. I wanted to go in the afternoon as thats when it looks the most beautiful, just as the sun starts to set and the light illuminates the huge white surfaces.

You need to wear a hijab and cover your hair, men can go without if they are in trousers and a long sleeved shirt. You can collect these free of charge before you go in.

The Mosque is even bigger and more beautiful than I was expecting. The courtyard is made up of tiny mosaics with different kinds of flowers and surrounded by corridors with gorgeous beams.

Every where you look you see tiny details that must have taken ages to finish. It's almost like a huge work of art. 

As you go in the guide tells you you are looking at the smallest of the mosque's 7 chandeliers. You laugh and think it's a joke. It's not. 

This is the first one.

This is the second one.

You just can't stop looking up! It really is incredible.

Even the soft thick carpet is hand woven with incredible detailing, and it's huge.

After the tour, we wondered around the courtyard for some more pictures and although beautiful, I believe the place has to be seen to understand how truly grand and exquisite it really is.

I can't recommend this place enough and if you want to read more about it you can click here and visit the website.