Visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: what no one told me before I went

I've seen photos of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque a hundred times, but nothing prepared me for standing inside it. As a Pakistani who grew up around beautiful mosques, I thought I knew what to expect. I didn't. Here's the honest account of my visit, with the practical things I wish someone had told me first.

Getting there

We were staying in central Abu Dhabi and took a metered taxi straight to the mosque — about 15 minutes and very affordable. There's no metro in the city, so taxis or buses are how you'll move around. I'd booked our flights into Abu Dhabi a few weeks earlier through the flight search, and the UAE visa we'd arranged through our airline covered everything.

The dress code is real — dress before you arrive

This is the bit I'd stress to every Pakistani traveller. The dress code is strict and enforced. I wore a loose abaya and brought my own headscarf, which made entry smooth. My cousin, who'd worn three-quarter sleeves, had to borrow a robe at the entrance — they do provide them, but it adds a queue. Men in our group needed full-length trousers. My advice: turn up already modestly dressed, women with a scarf in their bag, and you'll walk straight in.

Go at the right time

We arrived in the late afternoon and stayed until sunset, and I'd do exactly that again. The white marble glows golden as the sun drops, the crowds thin a little, and the temperature is bearable. Mornings are quieter still if you prefer. Avoid the harsh midday sun — the vast open courtyard offers no shade.

The moment I stepped into the main prayer hall under the world's largest chandelier, with that enormous hand-knotted carpet underfoot, I genuinely teared up. Photos do not capture the scale or the calm.

What it costs

Entry is completely free, which still amazes me for somewhere this magnificent. We spent nothing but the taxi fare and a little time. There are free guided tours if you want the history, which I'd recommend — our guide explained the calligraphy and the floral marble inlay, and it deepened the whole experience.

A few practical notes

• Carry your ID/passport; you may be asked.
• Photography is allowed in most areas, but be respectful of people praying and avoid posing disrespectfully.
• Remove shoes before the prayer halls, as you would at home.
• Allow at least two hours; you'll want to linger.

Would I tell other Pakistanis to go?

Without hesitation. Of everything I saw in the UAE, the Grand Mosque is the one that stayed with me. It costs nothing, it's deeply moving, and for a Pakistani Muslim it carries a meaning the theme parks never could. Sort your dress code, go for sunset, and give yourself time to just sit and take it in. Pair it with a central hotel — browse Abu Dhabi stays near the Corniche.