Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Qasr Al Watan & Etihad Tower
The world's largest handmade carpet hangs inside a mosque that took 12 years to build
You get hotel pickup, entry to Sheikh Zayed Mosque with provided modest dress, a walk at the Corniche, photo stops at Emirates Palace, access to Etihad Tower's observation deck, and a guided walk through Qasr Al Watan Palace. A professional bilingual guide handles the logistics and the stories. You're back at your hotel in about four to five hours.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Abu Dhabi city tour highlights
- Hotel pickup in air-conditioned vehicle
- Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Admire Abu Dhabi Corniche scenery
- Photo stop at Emirates Palace
- Visit Etihad Towers observation deck
- Tour Qasr Al Watan Palace
- Return to hotel or selected location
- Abu Dhabi Corniche passing by
- Emirates Palace passing by
- Qasr Al Watan Entry included 1h 30m
What’s included
Your day includes hotel or central location pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, entry tickets to Sheikh Zayed Mosque with a provided abaya and scarf for women, a visit to the Corniche, photo stops at Emirates Palace and Etihad Towers with observation deck access, entry to Qasr Al Watan Palace, cold mineral water throughout the tour, and a professional bilingual licensed guide.
Times
- Every day except Friday 09:30 09:45
- Friday 10:30
Before you book
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The experience
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque holds three world records, and the first thing you notice when you walk in is the carpet beneath your feet. It's handmade, it's enormous, and it's the largest of its kind on the planet. Your half-day Abu Dhabi tour starts with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, then heads straight to this white marble structure, known locally as the White Pearl of the Gulf. The mosque is the largest in the United Arab Emirates and the third largest in the world. If you've never been inside a working mosque before, the scale of it stops you mid-step.
After the mosque, the tour moves to Abu Dhabi Corniche for a walk along the waterfront, then a photo stop at Emirates Palace: the kind of building that photographs better than it looks in person, but you'll want the shot anyway. From there you head to Etihad Towers, a cluster of five gleaming structures where you can go up to the observation deck and see the whole city laid out below. If you're a Fast and Furious fan, this is where they filmed a scene in the seventh film. The guide will point it out. Then comes Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace, where you walk through the halls and courtyards while the guide explains the Arabian heritage and contemporary history, though the guide stays outside the palace itself and briefs you before you enter.
The whole thing runs about four to five hours. You'll need to dress conservatively: women get a provided abaya and headscarf to wear inside the mosque, men need to cover shoulders and knees. Tattoos should be covered. The tour includes entry to all the main sites, cold water, and a professional bilingual guide. Large bags aren't allowed, and if you're traveling with infants, they sit on your lap. One thing to know: if there's a presidential event, Qasr Al Watan closes and the tour swaps in the Louvre Museum instead, so the order can shift depending on the day.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want Abu Dhabi's main landmarks in one morning without arranging transport, entry fees, or dress codes yourself. The guide handles the logistics and the modest-dress requirement, which is what makes visiting the mosque possible for first-time visitors.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.
What time does the tour start?
Pickup is from your Abu Dhabi hotel or a central location. The exact time depends on your hotel. The itinerary is flexible based on your schedule.
Do I need to cover my tattoos?
Yes. Tattoos must be covered to enter the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
Is the tour guide allowed inside Qasr Al Watan?
No. The guide briefs you on the palace before you enter, but does not go inside with you.
What if I can't fit into the provided abaya?
The company provides abayas and headscarves for women. If you prefer, you can wear your own long, loose clothing that covers arms, legs, and allows for a headscarf.
Can I bring a large suitcase?
No. Large bags and luggage are not allowed on the tour.
What happens if Qasr Al Watan is closed?
If the palace is closed due to a presidential event, the tour is replaced with a visit to the Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi, subject to availability.
Are infants charged?
Infants do not incur a charge if they don't require their own seat and sit on an adult's lap.
Can I be picked up from the airport?
Airport pickup is available only from the Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Airport hotel. Cruise port pickups are from outside the cruise port gate.
What are the mosque visiting hours?
Saturday to Thursday: 9 am to 10 pm (last entry 9:30 pm). Friday: 9 am to 12 pm (last entry 11:30 am) and 3 pm to 10 pm (last entry 9:30 pm).
Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?
The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it involves walking and standing at multiple sites.
Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Qasr Al Watan & Etihad Tower
6h · EN · ES · FR · DE · IT · at your hotel
from AED 305 per person
≈ US$ 81 in your currency
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