Whether you’re in the United Arab Emirates for a few days or over a week, visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is an absolute must. Completed in 2007, it cost a whopping US$5.45 million and currently stands as the largest mosque in the country (it can hold up to 40,000 people). If you’ve come across photos of this mosque on social media, it’s easy to see the beauty, architecture, and thought that went into its construction. I can promise you that the photos of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque don’t do it justice. This is one cultural icon that must be seen in person in order to fully appreciate it. Here’s why you should visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque..
There wasn’t much on my list of things to see or do in Abu Dhabi besides pay a visit to this mosque – it pretty much pops up as number one on any tourist guide to the area. The intricate detail, thoughtful architecture, and serene beauty of this place can only be fully appreciated and understood if you’re there. We literally spent hours walking around the mosque (both in and outside), completely mesmerised and in awe.
Join a free tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
There isn’t very much information on display throughout the mosque, so I would highly recommend joining one of the free tours they give. The tours happen multiple times a day and last just over an hour. The tour was a great opportunity to learn about the mosque and about Emirati culture from our friendly and informative tour guide. During the tour, we were able to go into areas of the mosque that other visitors were not allowed in – we stood inside the mosque on the largest carpet in the word. The tour is definitely worth your time if you’re at all interested in knowing more about the mosque and Emirati culture.
Best time of day to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
After looking at photos of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque before arriving, I knew I wanted to see the mosque both during the day and at night. We got to the mosque around 5:00 pm and were able to see it during the day and as the sun began to set. Plus, it’s scorching hot, so best to avoid the afternoon if possible. I think it’s worth it to see the mosque in both lights – you’ll get a completely different perspective and vibe of the mosque from the day to the night. During the day, the sun beats down on the mosque lighting everything up. Once the sun sets, the lights come on within the mosque giving it a veil of mystery.
Other things you should know before going – how to get to the Mosque, cost to get in, what to wear, opening hours.
To get to and from the mosque, we just took a taxi. You can also hire a private driver, go there with a tour group (which I wouldn’t recommend as you’ll be on a time constraint), or there is a bus stop about a 10 minute walk from the mosque. There is no entrance fee to get into the mosque – it’s completely free for visitors. In terms of clothing, women need to be fully covered – if you’re not wearing appropriate, conservative clothing for the mosque (long sleeves, pants/skirt coming down to your ankles, head covering), then you will be given a long robe (abaya) to wear. Men must also ensure their legs are fully covered (no shorts). The mosque is open daily from 9:00 am – 10:00 pm except on Friday’s when it opens at 4:30 pm.
