This Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Guide covers exactly what to wear, the best time to go, and how to plan your visit without stress. If this is your first time in Abu Dhabi, the mosque is non-negotiable. It’s massive, immaculate, and somehow still feels calm even when there are a lot of people around.
If you’re planning a bigger UAE trip, this fits perfectly alongside Dubai sightseeing—see my full review of Dubai Travel Guide: Everything to Know Before Visiting to help connect the dots between the two cities.
The best time to visit is first thing in the morning, especially on a weekday when crowds are lighter. We went on a Saturday, and although there were more people there than a weekday it never felt chaotic. The mosque is designed with roped walkways through the main areas, which helps keep traffic flowing and—bonus—makes it surprisingly easy to take photos without a bunch of people in the background.
Plan to spend about 1.5–2 hours exploring. Entry is completely free, but you do need to register online ahead of time, which only takes a few minutes and saves you from waiting on arrival. You can register here.
Modest dress is required for both men and women, and they do enforce it. Women need to be fully covered—arms, legs, and hair—while men should wear long pants and sleeves.
I ordered my dress online ahead of time, but if you forget or don’t want to pack something bulky, you can easily grab a suitable dress at Al Seef in downtown Dubai for around $20 USD. It’s a solid last-minute option and honestly less hassle and money than overthinking it at home. If you’ve never been, Al Seef is also worth visiting on its own — check out my guide to Old Dubai: Al Fahidi, Al Seef & Dubai Creek to see why it’s such an easy stop to work into your trip.
This Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Guide takeaway is simple: dress correctly and you’ll have a smooth, respectful visit with zero awkward moments at security.
If you’re visiting from Dubai, renting a car makes this day much easier and gives you flexibility to explore beyond the mosque—renting a car here is straightforward and avoids the back-and-forth of ride shares for a full day in Abu Dhabi.
If you’d rather not drive, guided options are easy too. Many Abu Dhabi city tours include the mosque as a main stop, and you can book a tour here if you want transportation and timing handled for you.
If you’re staying overnight, you can find hotels near Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque here, which is especially convenient if you want to visit early or return for sunset views.
After exploring the mosque, head to Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant in the nearby mall for lunch. This was one of our favorite meals in Abu Dhabi and an ideal stop before continuing the day.
We ordered the cold appetizer platter with tabbouleh, hummus, mutabal, labnah, and feta beetroot salad. It was more than enough to split and perfect for a lighter lunch. Mixing the different dips together—especially with the tabbouleh—was the standout.
We also tried the Mix Sambousa, which is basically an Arabian hot pocket. It wasn’t my favorite, so I’d probably skip that next time, but their menu is extensive and you’ll have no trouble finding something that sounds good.
After lunch, drive across the street to Wahat Al Karama, a memorial park with one of the best views of the mosque. Sunset here is the real winner and the perfect way to end the visit. The contrast between the memorial structures and the mosque glowing in the background is stunning, especially as the light softens.
If you’re building out your Abu Dhabi itinerary, check out my guide to One Perfect Day in Abu Dhabi From Dubai to see how this stop fits into a full, well-paced day.
This Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Guide really comes down to timing, clothing, and pacing. Go early, dress appropriately, register ahead of time, and don’t rush it. Pair the visit with a relaxed lunch and sunset views and it becomes one of the most balanced—and memorable—experiences in the UAE.
If you’re planning the rest of your time in the city, check out my guide 7 Days in Dubai: A Complete Week-Long Itinerary (With Abu Dhabi + Desert) to help map out the full trip.
I walked down to the beach and immediately noticed how calm the water was. 🐚
It sits in a small cove, so there’s really no waves pushing in. You just walk right in without thinking about it. I grabbed my snorkel (they actually rent them for free at the resort, which I didn’t expect) and went out near the pier and stayed way longer than I planned, because the water was that clear.
Honest caveat: if you need a lot of energy and activity at a beach, this probably isn’t it. It’s quiet, it’s calm, and you’re mostly just... sitting there. Which for me was exactly the point.☀️
Full Baoase review linked in bio. 🔗
#curaçao #travel #luxuryresort #privatebeach #visitcuraçao
Dinner at Baoase in Curaçao isn’t just a restaurant, you’re walking into a full resort setting where everything feels intentional. The table is right by the water, the food is French-inspired with tropical and Asian flavors woven in, and the whole thing moves slowly in the best way. We sat there for hours and didn’t want it to end.
✨ Culinary Beach Restaurant, oceanside tables, candlelit ambiance
✨ French-inspired menu with tropical and Asian influences
✨ Service that’s attentive without being over the top
✨ The kind of dinner you’re still thinking about days later
Fair warning: this isn’t a casual grab-a-table kind of spot. You’re making a reservation, thinking through your outfit, and blocking off the whole evening and it’s worth every bit of that.
If you’re celebrating something or just want one dinner that feels a little extra, this is where to do it. Full Baoase resort review linked in bio. 🔗
Curaçao has the beaches everyone talks about, and then it has these. The spots that made this trip actually feel like mine weren’t on any resort map. I found them by renting a car, asking locals, and just following what looked good.
✨ Playa Lagun: a calm little cove where the water does all the work
✨ Playa Kalki: rocky entry, but the snorkeling right off shore is worth it
✨ Playa Jeremi: no rentals, no crowds, no setup. Just the beach
✨ Fort Nassau: watched the sun go down over Willemstad and stayed for dinner
✨ Hofi Cas Cora: breakfast on an actual farm and the freshest food of the whole trip
✨ Willemstad Street Party: I had no idea Thursday nights turned into that. Just followed the music.
✨ Playa Forti: cliff jumping and amazing food, talk about dinner and a show!
Honest caveat: if you need everything planned and structured, a few of these will feel a little too unpolished. But if you like the kind of trip where the best parts are the ones you stumble into, this is exactly that.
All 7 spots with full details are linked in bio. ☀️
#curaçao #hiddengems #travel #travelguide #whattodoincuracao
Here’s the thing about Curaçao that nobody talks about enough there’s really no bad time to go. 🌤️ Outside the hurricane belt. Mid-80s nearly every day of the year. Colorful buildings no matter what month it is.
But there IS a difference between going in peak season vs. shoulder season, and it shows up in your wallet, your beach chair availability, and how long you’re waiting for a table at dinner.
Full breakdown of every season, what to expect, and when I’d personally go linked in bio.
I wasn’t expecting much. I just needed dinner. 🍽️ Kome ended up being one of the best meals of the entire trip.
Wood-fired everything. A menu that actually makes you read it twice. A vibe in Pietermaai that feels nothing like a tourist restaurant and everything like somewhere locals actually go. I didn’t rush. I didn’t check my phone. I just ate, start to finish, and enjoyed every single second of it.
If you’re in Curaçao and you only have one nice dinner make it this one.
#curaçao #travelling #travelvlog #musttryrestaurant #visitcuracao
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
