The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque isn’t just a landmark—it’s one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever seen.
When I lived in Dubai, I had high expectations before visiting, but nothing prepared me for how stunning it actually is. The sheer size, the gleaming white marble, and the intricate gold details make it feel like something out of a dream.
It should be the number one place on your Abu Dhabi itinerary- no matter if you visit for one day or more.
Completed in 2007 and commissioned by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the mosque is the largest in the UAE, capable of holding over 40,000 worshippers.
But beyond its grandeur, what makes this place truly special is its role as a cultural bridge, welcoming visitors of all faiths to learn about Islamic traditions and architecture.
That said, visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque requires a little preparation—there’s a dress code, specific visiting hours, and a few insider tips that can make your experience even better. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know for a smooth and unforgettable visit.
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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Visitors Info
Grand Mosque Opening Hours
The Mosque’s visiting hours are from Saturday to Thursday from 9 AM to 10 PM, and Friday from 9 AM to 12 PM and from 3 PM to 10 PM.
How to get to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
▶️ From Dubai: If you’re driving, take the E11 and Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan St/E10 and you’ll reach Abu Dhabi in 1.5 hours. There are parking lots available at the Mosque, you’ll see the signs directing you there. This is the Mosque’s address for the GPS.
If you’re traveling by bus, you have a couple of options depending on which Dubai station is closer to you. Take the E100 line from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station, or the E101 line from Ibn Battuta Bus Station, both of which will drop you off at Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. You’ll then need to take a local bus to the Mosque.
▶️ From Abu Dhabi: Are you already in the city? The Mosque’s address is Al Rawdah – W45, and you can reach it by bus from most parts of Abu Dhabi, or by calling a taxi or a Careem.
Best Tours to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The most popular way to visit the Mosque is as part of a tour. In my opinion, these are the best ones out there from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
From Dubai
I’ve written a whole post about the best day tours from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, which always include a visit to the Grand Mosque. However, these are my top picks:
▶️ This Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque Guided Tour From Dubai lasts 5 hours, and it’s solely focused on the Grand Mosque. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and travel comfortably to Abu Dhabi, where you’ll explore the landmark with a professional guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Abu Dhabi Premium Full-Day Sightseeing Tour From Dubai is a full-day excursion that allows you to discover the main attractions in Abu Dhabi. You’ll tour the Grand Mosque, visit the Presidential Palace and Etihad Towers, and stop for photos at the Louvre. A guide will be with you throughout the day. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque & Louvre Museum Full-Day From Dubai is a 9-hour trip that takes you to the astounding Grand Mosque, where you’ll admire its crystal chandeliers and hand-woven carpet. You’ll also stop for photos at the Etihad Towers and the Corniche, and wander through art-filled rooms at the Louvre Museum. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Dubai: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Tour with Photographer includes roundtrip transfers and a visit to the magnificent landmark with a professional photographer. You’ll admire the striking details of the Mosque and pose for iconic photos that will be sent to you shortly after. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
From Abu Dhabi
▶️ This Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Royal Palace, and Etihad Tower is a comprehensive tour of the city led by a professional guide. You’ll visit some of the most iconic landmarks as you learn about them, and enjoy photo stops at the Corniche and the Louvre Museum. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ This Abu Dhabi: Half-Day Sheikh Zayed Mosque Guided Tour allows you to fully delve into the Mosque’s history and architecture, as well as Muslim traditions and religion with a comprehensive visit to the Mosque. You’ll explore its vast rooms and shimmering exterior, admire the crystal chandeliers, and have plenty of photo ops. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
What You’ll Find at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a religious site, visited for worship by Muslims from all over the world, but it’s also one of the main tourist attractions in the UAE.
The mosque boasts a jaw-dropping design that blends traditional Islamic styles with modern ones, resulting in an elegant building with a shimmering white marble facade, 82 astounding domes in various sizes, and four towering minarets.
The main courtyard is one of the most impressive locations, featuring marble floors covered with mosaic designs, and surrounded the astounding domes, minarets, and wide corridors lined by white columns topped with golden details, inspired by palm trees.
There are ten rectangular reflective pools around the courtyard, which reflect the columns and buildings almost perfectly, and incredible hand-crafted panels of Iznik tiles. Make sure to spend quite some time in the courtyard, taking in the views and admiring every detail, before you go inside.
You may be mesmerized by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s exterior, but your jaw will drop with its interiors.
You’ll access the Al Noor Foyer, boasting a floral design that covers its walls and glass windows, and move on to the Main Prayer Room.
It’s the grandest prayer room in the mosque, and it’s home to the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet, which was crafted by 1,200 artisans over the period of two years and covers an area of 5,400 square meters, weighing close to 35 tons!
The carpet steals the attention, but make sure to also get up close to the walls, decorated with intricate glass mosaic designs, and look up to the ceiling.
From each of the three domes hangs a magnificent chandelier made with thousands of Swarovski crystals. The largest one weighs 12 tons, and they all illuminate the prayer hall beautifully.
The clocks around the halls aren’t made with crystals, but their ornate designs and the hundreds of pearls that adorn them are equally spectacular.
Aside from the foyers and main prayer hall, the mosque features female and male ablution areas, each with a glass dome above it, a library, and two more prayer halls, one for women and another one for men. These areas are reserved for worshippers and can’t be accessed by visitors.
When exiting the Grand Mosque, you’ll get to walk past the Islamic Gardens, which boast a carefully manicured layout and a couple of fountains.
Tips for Your Visit to the Grand Mosque
Can I Visit the Mosque on My Own?
You can visit the building with a free cultural tour organized by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center, which provides an educational and interactive experience. You can check their schedule here.
Otherwise, if you prefer to visit on your own, you can request a multimedia guide device in advance to walk you through your visit. Of course, you’re also free to walk around at your own pace without a tour or audio guide.
What’s the Best Time to Visit?
The best time to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Sunset is also a prime time because the light is at its best, ideal for photographers.
How Much Time Do You Need for the Visit?
I’d say 1 to 2 hours should be enough. Usually, tours take around an hour, but you might want to wander on your own and take photos afterward.
What Should You Know Before Visiting?
▶️ The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is accessible for wheelchair users, with ramps and paved lanes throughout the mosque to allow a smooth visit. Besides, there are club cars available to transport guests from the parking lot to the entrance of the building, and you can borrow a wheelchair on-site should you need one.
▶️ Visitors are offered free parking and free transportation to the main entrance from there on club cars (or you’re free to walk the Tolerance Path from the entrance if you prefer to do so).
▶️ Eating and drinking in the Grand Mosque is not permitted.
▶️ A strict dress code is in place. You’ll find more info on that below, but the entrance to the mosque will be subject to it.
▶️ You can take photos and videos, and even use a tripod in the main courtyard. Tripods, however, are not allowed inside.
▶️ If you’re hungry or thirsty before or after your visit, there are plenty of cafes and fast-food restaurants in a sort of mall adjacent to the mosque (I found it pretty strange that it was so commercialized, but I guess it’s convenient).
What to Wear at the Mosque
You’ll have to consider your outfit when visiting the Grand Mosque, as the dress code is very strict.
Before the pandemic, they used to provide abayas to women, so you could go dressed however you wanted and just wear the abaya when entering the mosque. Since the pandemic, though, they are not providing these anymore, so you need to plan your outfit carefully.
You should dress in loose-fitting clothes that cover your arms and legs entirely, and pay extra attention to your wrists and ankles. When I visited, they made me buy a pair of leggings to cover my ankles, even though I was wearing a long dress! Women also need to wear a headscarf.
Visible tattoos have to be covered, and transparent or tight-fitting clothes are not allowed.
In case you don’t own anything that works, you can buy a simple abaya at any Carrefour, or buy one from the shops outside the entrance to the mosque (they’ll be more expensive here though).
You’ll also have to remove your shoes to enter the mosque, so I recommend wearing shoes that are easy to take off.
