Cultural Attractions

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. Its name honors the first President of the United Arab Emirates, Zayed ibn Sultan Al Nahayan, who passed away in 2004. His final resting place is on the grounds next to the mosque itself. This was built from 1996 to 2007. It is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and can be visited by people of other religions. The building complex has dimensions of approximately 290 m to 420 m, with an area of more than 12 hectares, excluding exterior gardens and vehicle parking lots. The mosque has an estimated capacity of 40,000 people inside the prayer hall.

For 20 years, the best architects and designers in the world planned a magnificent project, and the construction companies did their best to get the job done. The main architect was Youssef Abdelki, a Syrian national.

A hotel like few in the world. The decoration is incredible, you can see almost everything for free, except for the beach, which is exclusively for guests.

IMPORTANT note for Gentlemen: Shorts are not allowed in the dress code.

IMPORTANT note for Ladies: You will not be allowed access with shorts or very short skirts.

The hotel cost approximately $3 billion to build, making it the fourth most expensive building in history. The Emirates Palace has a total area of ​​850,000m². The underground parking lot has capacity for 2,500 vehicles. It has 2 swimming pools, as well as a private beach and a heliport. According to the New York Times, the Emirates Palace is the most expensive hotel ever built. It has 302 rooms and 92 suites. Also, on the sixth and seventh floors are the Palace Suites; there are 22 3-bedroom suites that are reserved for senior officials visiting the Emirates on an official basis. The minimum rate is $400 per night - approx. 270 euros at the exchange rate of 1.48 dollars per euro- for the Coral rooms; and the highest is $11,500 a night - approx. 7,500 euros- for the Palace Grand Suite.

 Located next to the Emirates Palace hotel, Qasr Al Watan is the capital's working presidential palace and a cultural landmark. Tourists have the opportunity to visit an area of the palace where they are exposed to enriching knowledge about the country's legacy and what led it to become the nation they are today.

Whilst in the eyes of those who live outside of the United Emirates those who reside in the country enjoy a glamorous lifestyle, the truth is that their wealth is in its breathtaking history. Likewise, for the Emirati it’s important to stay true to their roots and dedicate architectural designs such as of Qasr Al Watan to pay tribute to the Arabic heritage.

Everywhere you look, the walls, the colors, the stones and materials, the shapes, among other architectural features, there is a story being told. If that isn't enough, at night tourists can enjoy an incredible light show unfolding in the main palace. 

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, the 20-meter domed structure evokes a medina (Arab city) surrounded by the sea. It has been inspired by the traditional architecture of the United Arab Emirates; its dome casts an enchanting "rain of light", an effect caused by the changes of the sun as it moves across the sky during the day and resembles the inside of a traditional Emirati Areesh.