At the heart of the city, on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque rises from the ground as Abu Dhabi’s gleaming icon, a spectacular symbol of the heart and soul of the people.
A radiant building of white marble with a beautifully elaborate design, the mosque is the largest in Abu Dhabi and one of the grandest and most impressive structures of its kind in the whole world. Tens of thousands of visitors and worshippers visit here and this is a mosque with a welcoming policy designed to reflect the Islamic message of peace.
Whether you come to pray or respectfully admire the architectural splendour, this is a site full of fabulous detail and contemplative corners.
This is the premier attraction in Abu Dhabi so it’s best to pre-book your visit.
Cultural explorers, history buffs and fact-hungry families who are eager to find out more about Abu Dhabi’s incredible culture during their stay in the UAE’s capital.
The sense of scale and peace, the stunning yet subtle design and the ability to get a real understanding of the spiritual life of the Emiratis.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque can’t fail to take your breath away. Thousands of tonnes of white marble were used to make this striking structure that dominates the Abu Dhabi skyline.
Features and influences from across the Islamic diaspora combine to make this a true architectural wonder. From the courtyard’s vast mosaic to the stately domes, the overall effect is one that wows, while providing a space for contemplation.
There are 96 domes in total, with the largest being the one above the centre of the main prayer hall. They’re clad in white marble with gold-glass mosaic used for the finials at the tip. Moroccan artwork decorates the interior, while verses from the Quran are etched in and overlaid with gold leaf.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque features a carpet that is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest hand-knotted carpet on the planet. Covering 5,400 square metres, it involved the expertise of over 1,200 artisans and took around 2 years, including 8 months of designing and 12 months of knotting. The rest of the time was spent weaving the pieces together.
The cotton and wool carpet took eight months to design and a year to knot and weighs 35 tons.
The chandeliers are one of the most spectacular aspects of the building’s beautiful interior.
There are seven in total, made by Faustig of Germany, with the one in the main prayer hall being among the world’s largest, weighing in at about 12 tonnes.
The chandeliers incorporate gilded brass and gilded stainless steel elements - using about 40kg of 24-carat galvanized gold in the process - while the glass panels are decorated with Swarovski crystals.
The palatial prayer room is one of the most incredible sacred spaces in the world. Not only do worshippers have the beautiful magic carpet underfoot, the walls from floor to ceiling are also decorated in ornate designs. It also hosts the largest chandelier in the mosque, weighing an incredible twelve tones and adorned in glittering Swarovski crystals. The level of detail is enchanting.
The main well is respectfully emblazon with the 99 names of Allah in Arabic, to demonstrate the ultimate sign of devotion.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque can be found at the entrance to Abu Dhabi City Island, west of the Khor Al Maqta waterfront. It sits between the three bridges – Sheikh Zayed, Maqta and Mussafah – that link the island to the mainland.
Follow Corniche Road and take the E10 (Al Shahama Rd/Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan St). The road takes you all the way to your destination and the journey should take around 20 minutes in total.
Just over a 20-minute drive, head east on the E12 (Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Highway) before driving south and then south-west along the E10 (Sheikh Zayed Road). Take exit E22 for Maqta Bridge/Musaffah and then the exit towards Zayed Sports City/Coast Road.
From the airport, follow the signs for the E20 towards Abu Dhabi/Sweihan/Al Hayer Rd/Al Khaleej Al Arabi St/Arabian Gulf. You’ll cross the Sheikh Zayed Bridge just before arriving.
Parking is free at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Follow the signs to the southern car parking lot.
A secure cloakroom service is available for safely storing personal belongings throughout.
The visitor centre offers a souvenir shop as well as a place to purchase food and beverages.
Wheelchairs with allocated paved paths and lanes to allow smooth access throughout the mosque.
Enjoy smooth and effortless transportation with our eco-friendly electric shuttle, ensuring a comfortable and convenient journey around the mosque.
Yes, it is free to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
The mosque welcomes visitors Monday to Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 09:00 PM with the last entry at 8:30 PM.
On Fridays, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM with the last entry at 11:30 AM, and again from 3:00 PM to 09:00 PM with the last entry at 8:30 PM.
Female visitors can select any type of women attire, provided that they are loose-fitting until the ankles and have sleeves that go all the way to the wrists. Full hair coverage is also necessary while avoiding transparent, tight-fitting or revealing attire.
Whereas male visitors can select any type of men’s attire; however, it is preferable to select clothing that covers the entire legs. Transparent, tight-fitting or sleeveless shirts should be avoided.
There is a selection of suitable clothing for both genders can be found at the souvenir shops at the Souq Al Jami'.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque offers complimentary guided cultural tours from Monday to Sunday at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 5:00 PM. On Fridays, tours are held at 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. No prior reservation is required to attend a tour. It is recommended to arrive approximately 20–30 minutes before the scheduled tour time. Each tour lasts approximately 45–60 minutes.
For a more exclusive experience, the mosque also offers Private Cultural Tours, which include a dedicated specialist, golf cart transportation, and access to exclusive areas. Additionally, the Golden Tour provides further enhanced benefits. Bookings for these tours are available on the mosque’s official website: https://www.szgmc.ae/en/Tour.aspx
This huge complex is home to international and domestic events, covering a range of sports and activities, including the annual Mubadala World Tennis Championships.
Discover more
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A world-class golf course with a brilliant clubhouse, walk the lush fairways and putt on the smooth greens in a stunning setting.
The mosque’s light system uses 22 light towers that change depending on the phases of the moon.
The mosque contains a total of 1,192 pillars.
It took two planes to deliver the huge prayer carpet.
Over 3,000 workers and nearly 40 companies were involved in the construction of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
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All imagery provided by © Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi
