Learn everything you need to know about Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and how to best visit this stunning mosque.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a sublime mosque located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. Visiting this mosque is a must-do while in the UAE to see, admire and soak in one of the most beautiful examples of Islamic arts and culture. It is easily one of the most beautiful mosques in the world and a place you must visit while in Abu Dhabi, or on a day trip from Dubai. There are a few key things to know before visiting this famous mosque to make the most of your visit.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
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In This Post
What is Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the UAE and one of the largest in the world. It is an important place for daily prayers and worship made in vision by the founding father of the UAE Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The mosque was created as a safe haven that welcomes and inspires people from all backgrounds.
What draws people to this mosque is its incredible and breathtaking beauty. Consisting of 82 domes, 1,000+ columns, and 24-carat gold chandeliers it’s a place of pure opulence and wonder. With a cost of US$545 million to make it is an architectural wonder that will take your breath away at first glance.
How to get to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
There are 3 ways to get to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: car, taxi, and tour.
- By Car: Self-driving is a great way to arrive at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at the time you want. There is plenty of underground parking near the mosque which is free! If you are staying in Dubai the drive takes about 1.5 hours and the roads are super clear and easy to follow.
- By Taxi: If you are staying in Abu Dhabi you can get a taxi that will drop you off right at the entrance. This is only an option if you are staying in the city.
- By Tour: There are plenty of tours that offer rides to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. With this, you don’t have to worry about renting a car or driving yourself, but you will be entering with a group of others.
Driving yourself is the BEST OPTION. With this, you can arrive when you want without a crowd of others and can explore as you want.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Entrance Price
Entrance to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is FREE!
However, you do need to book your visit HERE. This registers your visit and will provide you with tickets to show at the entrance at the time of your visit.
What to Wear to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The rules for what to wear at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are quite strict and MUST be adhered to. This is essential to be let into the mosque and to show respect for the country’s religion and rules. The dress code does differ for men and women.
For women:
- No transparent clothing
- No shorts or skirts
- No sleeveless shirts
- No tight clothing
- Hair must be covered
- Dresses or pants must cover the ankle
I bought a dress with hijab from a market in Dubai and wore it here. I loved having my own to wear and got many compliments on it. With this, I wore sandals since my dress was long.
*The mosque will sometimes have coverings to rent*
For men:
- No transparent clothing
- No shorts
- No sleeveless shirts
- No clothing with profanity
When to Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The best time to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is right at 9 AM when it opens. I was there at 8:55 AM waiting and got to enter right at 9 AM when no one else was there. The 5 minutes when no one was there was PRICELESS! After that busloads of people came and it changes the vibes.
With this in mind the visiting hours for Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are:
- Saturday to Thursday 09:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Friday from 09:00 am to 12:00 pm and reopens from 3:00 pm. to 10:00 pm
Be sure to check the visiting hours HERE before your visit. There may be changes due to religious events.
Travel Insurance
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