Planning a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque? Here’s what you need to know before you go.
We visited the mosque on a recent trip to Abu Dhabi and loved it – it officially takes the title of the largest mosque in the UAE and is seriously impressive.
The entire experience of visiting the Abu Dhabi mosque was incredible. Whether you’re a Muslim or not – or even religious, for that matter – wandering around this huge religious site is ridiculously peaceful. And not just because you’re encouraged to keep quiet as a sign of respect, though that helps.
Explore this Guide
A Brief History of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi mosque serves as both a place of worship and a symbol of unity. Surprisingly, the mosque’s construction was relatively recent, taking place between 1996 and 2007.This white marble building features 82 domes and over 1,000 columns.
The mosque’s design draws inspiration from various Islamic architectural styles, blending influences from the Moorish, Ottoman, and Mughal traditions. This was an intentional choice by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who commissioned the building of the mosque and wanted to showcase the nation’s tolerance and diversity. Sheikh Zayed himself is even buried on the mosque grounds.
Read Next: The 8 Best UAE Theme Parks You Need to Visit
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Carpet
Arguably, the most impressive feature of the site is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque carpet. As you wind your way around the mosque, you’ll enter into a room that allows you to marvel at the rug in all its glory.
Ready for our favourite of many Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque facts? This gorgeous floral carpet is said to be the largest piece of handmade carpet in the world – it measures 67,570 square feet and weighs around 35 tonnes, in case you were curious.
Abu Dhabi Mosque Chandeliers
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque carpet is not the only impressive feature of the mosque. Not at all.
The building contains seven chandeliers made up of millions of Swarovski crystals. One of these is the second largest in the world, measuring a gargantuan 33ft in diameter. Now that’s a centrepiece we quite fancy in our kitchen.
What to Wear to Abu Dhabi Mosque
While you used to be able to rent traditional clothing – both male and female – at the mosque itself, that’s no longer the case since the pandemic shook things up. Visitors to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi now need to ensure they bring their own suitable clothing or they might just find themselves refused entry.
For men, this is relatively simple: Wear a T-shirt and long shorts or trousers. For ladies, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque dress code is a little bit more complex. Make sure your arms and legs are covered in loose (not tight!) clothing, and ensure you wear a hijab/headscarf to cover your hair.
TRAVEL TIP ✈️
If you don’t have anything suitable in your suitcase, there’s a shopping centre next to the mosque which sells plenty of scarves. They’re not cheap – we spent around 150 AED on a single headscarf.
How to Get Tickets to Abu Dhabi Mosque
Getting tickets to Abu Dhabi mosque is pretty simple – after all, it’s free to enter. All you need to do is reserve a ticket in advance either online here or inside the visitor centre opposite.
To do this IRL, head down the escalator inside the visitor centre (if arriving by taxi, you’ll likely be dropped right outside) and turn right, and then follow the path through the food hall until you reach the mosque ticket station at the end.
How to Get to Abu Dhabi Mosque
The easiest way to visit the Grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque is by taxi. You can hail a regular taxi (or get your hotel to arrange one), although we like to use Uber or Careem in the UAE. Taxi drivers will drop you off in the parking lot outside the mosque, near the visitor centre.
If you want to save some cash, the 54 or 94 bus will drop you off near the mosque. Buses are very inexpensive in Abu Dhabi, with a max single journey fare of AED5 (less than two dollars).
TRAVEL TIP ✈️
If you’re short on time, book this Abu Dhabi mosque guided tour (includes the Royal Palace and Etihad Tower). We love that all the logistics are taken care of.
Best Time to Visit Abu Dhabi Mosque
We recommend you visit the mosque during the cooler months (October to March). These months see the largest crowds, so make sure you go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the busiest times. If you’re visiting between April and September, early mornings and evenings are better to avoid the intense heat.
Don’t panic if your trip coincides with Ramadan. Although visiting hours for non-Muslims may be reduced, particularly during prayer and Iftar times, the mosque’s beautiful atmosphere makes it worth it.
Where to Stay in Abu Dhabi
You’ll struggle to find hostels or Airbnbs in Abu Dhabi, though there are plenty of stunning hotels to choose between. We recommend staying in either the Corniche area for a chilled break or on Saadiyat Island for a more luxurious retreat.
What to Know Before You Go
There are a few rules to follow when you visit. Although it’s pretty laidback, there is security watching you like a hawk – just be respectful and you’ll be A-Ok.
The most important thing: make sure you cover the appropriate parts of your body. Also, it’s important not to use your hands to make any gestures when taking photos. Yes, that means you’ll need to leave your cute peace sign at home – sorry!
