Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

You will recognise why the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is such a unique location once you have entered. People from all walks of life congregate here to admire the stunning architecture and gain a better understanding of UAE religion and culture. The UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, had the idea for the mosque, which is among the biggest in the world. He pictured the development of a warm, cultural haven that serves as an inspiration to people of all backgrounds. Even the construction involved cross-cultural cooperation. The impressive building was created by expert teams from around the world, including 1,300 Iranian craftsmen who hand-knotted the largest carpet in the world for the main prayer hall. You will come across one-of-a-kind treasures as you walk through the marbled halls, such as gold-plated Swarovski chandeliers, the enormous marble mosaic artwork in the courtyard, and reflective pools that reflect some of the numerous columns with amethyst and jasper embedded in them. Look up when you’re outside to see the mosque’s four magnificent minarets, which proudly stand 106 metres tall.

Not only will the mosque’s architecture astound you, but also how warm and inviting it feels. The open-door policy encourages tourists from all over the world, including families, groups, solo travellers, and congregations, to not only experience its beauty but also to learn more about the Emirate’s tradition of free speech. Remember, the structure still serves as a mosque, welcoming up to 50,000 worshippers daily, in addition to welcoming guests to admire the architecture. Consider this when organising your trip. Visitors to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque must be appropriately dressed, and on Fridays, the main prayer hall is off-limits to outsiders from 12 to 3 p.m. for Friday prayers. Take one of the free guided tours, which previous visitors will recommend to you. Experts will point out details that you might ordinarily overlook, such as the gold-leaf calligraphy that surrounds the hollows of the mosque’s remarkable 82 domes. When the sun sets, return to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to see the entire facade glow with even more majesty. It is highly advised to combine your evening excursion with a visit to the moving Wahat Al Karama memorial and dinner in the Al Qana neighbourhood.

Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum

On November 8, 2017, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president of the United Arab Emirates, and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, officially opened the museum. It is France’s largest cultural project outside of France and the product of an unprecedented partnership between France and the United Arab Emirates. The splendour of its architecture, the depth of its permanent collection (made possible by loans from the Louvre and other French museums), and the calibre of its travelling exhibitions are the three pillars of its success. The unique characteristics of the Saadiyat site—a virgin lagoon island between sand and sea, shade and light—inspired Jean Nouvel, the Pritzker Architecture Prize winner chosen to design the museum. 700 works of art and groups of works from every era and civilisation are part of the Abu Dhabi Louvre museum’s permanent collection (from prehistoric times to the present day). 300 additional pieces are on loan from affiliated museums (the Louvre lends 100 different masterpieces every year). The inventive exhibition layout at the Louvre Abu Dhabi explores the connections between civilisations and cultures that, at first glance, might appear to be separated by time and space. A chronological and theme-based exhibit that travels through various eras and civilisations leads visitors through the exhibit.