If you have a long stopover in Abu Dhabi you can safely leave the airport and do some sightseeing. The airport in Abu Dhabi is located very close to the city center, which gives you multiple possibilities for killing time. On the airport website you can find some ideas for tours, assuming you have more than 4 hours to spare.
From all listed possibilities we chose visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, especially that we don’t play golf 😉
Visa
For leaving and coming back safely to the airport you will need a temporary, 30 days visa. For citizens of most European countries the visa is free. Hover, when you search internet for on-line visa applications you may find some offers that require payment. Even the Etihad Airways page directs you to a website, where it is suggested it would cost you 93$.
The best thing to do is NOT to arrange anything upfront. You can get your visa FOR FREE during the immigration control when leaving the airport. It costs nothing and takes very little time.
The Grand Mosque
The Mosque is located around 20 minutes drive from the airport. The taxi costs 50 UAE Dirhams i.e. ~10 EUR. You can also take a bus, which is 10 times cheaper. The bus goes quite rarely and leaves you around 15 minutes of walking distance from the Mosque’s main entrance. It has special seats for ladies in front.
Remember that it is usually very hot outside, so the walk from the bus stop to the Mosque may be tiring.
Visiting rules
Visiting the Mosque is free of charge. However, the following dress code must be followed. Ladies, who are not dressed appropriately, will get special cloths to cover themselves.
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