The Sheikh Zayed Mosque in a nutshell
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque stands in Abu Dhabi, between the Maqta, Mussafah and Sheikh Zayed bridges. It is an active mosque and a cultural site, and visitors of all backgrounds are welcome. If you start from Dubai, note that the mosque is in Abu Dhabi, not in Dubai. The building is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the United Arab Emirates, who lived from 1918 to 2004. Construction began on 5 November 1996, and the inner prayer halls first opened for Eid al-Adha in 2007.
Tourists enter through the visitor centre and follow set routes, while worshippers use their own entrances. This site helps you plan the visit: which tour to pick, how to get there from Abu Dhabi or Dubai, what the entry costs, when the doors are open and what to wear. Prices are in dirhams (AED) for 2026, and they can change.
Our picks: Sheikh Zayed Mosque tours
From Dubai, the mosque and Louvre day covers both entries in one trip. If you are already in Abu Dhabi, the two-hour walk at the mosque is the simplest way in with a guide.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private Abu Dhabi day with a driver-guide
- Private vehicle
- Driver-guide
- Photo stops
A private vehicle and driver-guide for the day, priced per person. Attraction entries and the hotel lunch depend on the option you choose.
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Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi from Dubai
- Mosque entry
- Louvre entry
- Dubai hotel transfer
About two hours each in the mosque and the Louvre, both entries included, with a Corniche photo stop. Inside the Louvre you explore on your own.
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Mosque, Qasr Al Watan and an observation deck
- Mosque and Qasr Al Watan
- Observation deck
- Licensed guide
A guided day in Abu Dhabi with the mosque, the Qasr Al Watan palace and the Etihad Towers observation deck; the Louvre is a photo stop.
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Guided mosque visit with transfer from Dubai
- Mosque entry
- Licensed guide
- Dubai hotel transfer
A licensed guide and mosque entry, with the drive from your Dubai hotel and back. The Zayed museum ticket comes only with that option.
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Mosque walk with architecture and etiquette
- Mosque entry
- Architecture and etiquette
- Library by option
Mosque entry and explanations of the architecture and how to behave inside; the library visit depends on the option. You get to the mosque yourself.
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Two-hour guided walk at the mosque
- Licensed guide
- Mosque entry
- Help with photos
You meet the guide at the mosque, so it suits you if you are already in Abu Dhabi. Mosque entry is included.
Check availability →Sheikh Zayed Mosque tours and day trips
Guided visits, Abu Dhabi city tours and day trips from Dubai, with current prices and availability. Check whether the mosque entry fee is part of the price.
Plan your visit
Start with the entry rules and then choose the pages you need.
Tickets and registration
Entry fees by visitor group, optional services and how to register.
Tours compared
Free public cultural tours, private tours and day trips side by side.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque from Dubai
Day trips, buses and taxis, and how long the way takes.
Opening hours
Regular hours, the Friday windows and the Ramadan schedule.
The mosque at night
Lighting, the sunset view and the separate night visit.
Inside the mosque
Prayer hall, carpet and chandeliers.
Architecture
Domes, minarets, columns and marble.
Facts and figures
Size, domes and capacity at a glance.
History
The founder, the construction years and the tomb.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Tickets, hours and how to combine it with the mosque.
Abu Dhabi city tour
The mosque, Qasr Al Watan and the Corniche in one day.
Things to do in Abu Dhabi
Palace, museums, Yas Island and the waterfront.
How to get to the mosque
Bus, taxi and parking.
Best time to visit
Heat, winter weather and Ramadan.
Where to stay
The Corniche, Saadiyat or Yas: which area fits.
A few things to know before you go
The points that most often change a plan.
Entry fees
Visitors from abroad pay AED 10 in 2026, Emirates ID holders AED 5 and guests who come through a tour operator AED 8. The public cultural tours themselves are free, which does not change the entry fee. Check the current fee when you register at the visitor centre.
Tickets and registration →Fridays have two windows
On Fridays you can visit from 09:00 to 11:30 (last entry 11:00) and again from 14:30 to 20:30 (last entry 20:00). The main prayer hall can stay closed to tourists until 15:00. Public cultural tours run at 11:00 and 17:00 only.
Opening hours →The night visit is its own format
The mosque is not open round the clock for regular visits. The night visit called Sura is a separate, self-guided option with a multimedia device, outside the normal visiting hours.
The mosque at night →Museums nearby
The Zayed National Museum on Saadiyat Island opened on 3 December 2025. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi has an announced opening date of 11 December 2026. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is already open.
Louvre Abu Dhabi →Travel advice for the UAE
As of October 2026, the German Federal Foreign Office advises against non-essential travel to the UAE and points to possible regional escalation and flight disruption. The US State Department lists Level 3, reconsider travel, as of October 2026. Read your own government's current advice before you book.
What to wear and how to behave
Short rules for a place of worship.
Women wear loose, opaque clothing down to the ankles, sleeves to the wrists and a covering that hides all the hair. Men avoid transparent, tight or sleeveless tops, and fully covered legs are recommended. Skip clothing with unsuitable drawings or slogans. Bring suitable clothes of your own, because rental is not something to count on. Keep your voice low, put your phone on silent, and do not smoke, sleep or lie down. Private photos are fine at the marked photo stops, while professional shooting needs a permit. Follow the instructions of the staff and security.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque: frequently asked questions
Is the Sheikh Zayed Mosque free to enter?
Entry costs AED 10 for visitors from abroad, AED 5 for Emirates ID holders and AED 8 for guests through a tour operator in 2026. Check the current fee when you register. See the tickets page.
What are the opening hours?
Regular days run from 09:00 to 20:30 with the last entry at 20:00. Fridays are split into 09:00 to 11:30 and 14:30 to 20:30. Ramadan has its own schedule. Details are on the opening hours page.
How long does a guided tour take?
The public cultural tour usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes, sometimes up to 60. Plan more time for the entry check, the walk and photos. See tours compared.
Can I visit the mosque as a day trip from Dubai?
Yes. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are roughly 90 minutes apart, and you can join a day trip with transport or travel by bus and taxi. Door-to-door time depends on where you start and on traffic. See the Dubai page.
Is it safe to travel to the UAE right now?
That is for your own government's advice to answer. Several foreign ministries currently advise caution because of regional tensions, and flights can be disrupted at short notice. Check the latest advice before booking and choose tours with flexible cancellation.
Is this the official website of the mosque?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi or Visit Abu Dhabi, and it is not connected to any tour operator or hotel.