Sheikh Zayed Mosque opening hours 2026 at a glance
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is an active place of worship and a visitor site at the same time. Visitors come through the visitor centre and follow set routes, while worshippers use their own entrances. The opening hours below are the visitor hours, not the prayer schedule.
Outside Ramadan, the mosque opens to visitors at 09:00 and closes at 20:30 every day except Friday. The last entry is at 20:00. Saturday follows the same hours as Monday to Thursday and Sunday. There is no weekly closing day.
If you would rather not plan the timing yourself, Sheikh Zayed Mosque tours fix the arrival time for you and handle the transfer. For fees and registration, see the tickets page.
Weekly visiting hours
Regular times outside Ramadan for 2026. Times can change, so check the current timetable before you go.
| Day | Visitor hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday to Thursday | 09:00–20:30 | 20:00 |
| Friday, morning | 09:00–11:30 | 11:00 |
| Friday, afternoon and evening | 14:30–20:30 | 20:00 |
| Night visit (separate format) | 21:00–09:00 | – |
Arriving soon after opening or in the last two hours before closing gives you more flexibility than a midday slot. Allow at least 90 minutes if you want to walk the courtyard, the arcades and the visitor route without rushing.
Our pick: a guided visit timed for you
This small-group day plans the mosque visit around the opening hours, so you do not have to.
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.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque tours with set arrival times
Guided half-day tours from Abu Dhabi and day trips with transfer, with live prices and availability. Check the meeting time and whether the mosque entry fee is included.
Opening hours on Friday
Friday is the one day with a split schedule. Visitors can enter from 09:00 until 11:30, with the last entry at 11:00. The mosque then closes to visitors for the Friday midday prayer and reopens from 14:30 until 20:30, with the last entry at 20:00.
The main prayer hall can be closed to visitors from 12:00 until 15:00 on Fridays. That means the hall may open about half an hour after the grounds do. If the interior is your priority, plan to arrive after 15:00 on a Friday, or choose another day. The prayer hall page describes what you will see there.
The Friday morning window is short, so arrive at 09:00 sharp if you choose it.
Free cultural tour times
The public cultural tours are free of charge and run in English and Arabic. They are separate from the entry fee.
| Day | Public tour start times |
|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday, Saturday, Sunday | 11:00, 13:00 and 17:00 |
| Friday | 11:00 and 17:00, no midday tour |
| Ramadan, Saturday to Thursday | 11:00 and 13:00 |
| Ramadan, Friday | no public tours |
A tour lasts about 30 to 45 minutes, sometimes up to 60. Do not plan a tight connection afterwards. The tour starts on the east side of the site. Find the starting point before the tour begins and arrive about 15 minutes early. Places are not guaranteed, so a private or operator-led tour is the safer choice if you have a fixed schedule.
Ramadan opening hours
During Ramadan the schedule moves to the evening. For the first 20 days, visitors can enter from 09:00 to 18:00 and again from 21:30 to 01:00. On Fridays the day window is 14:30 to 18:00, and the night window stays at 21:30 to 01:00.
For the last 10 days of Ramadan, the hours are 09:00 to 18:00 only. On Fridays the mosque opens from 14:30 to 18:00. There is no evening visitor window in that period.
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, with Eid al-Fitr around 10 March 2027. The dates depend on the moon sighting. Check the current timetable before you go, especially for the days around Eid.
Evening and night visits
The regular visitor window ends at 20:30. Visits later than that are a separate format, called Sura, which runs daily from 21:00 to 09:00. It is self-guided with a multimedia device. The mosque is not freely accessible around the clock, so do not count on walking in late at night without booking.
For lighting, sunset views and photo tips, read the page on the mosque at night.
Prayer times and respect for worshippers
Prayer times move through the year with the sun, so there is no single set of times for the whole year. Use a current Abu Dhabi prayer timetable for the day you visit. Keep your voice low and your phone on silent at all times, and follow the instructions of the staff and security team. Worshippers have their own entrances.
What to wear
Women wear loose, non-transparent clothing down to the ankles, sleeves to the wrists, and cover all their hair. Men avoid transparent, tight or sleeveless tops, and covered legs are recommended. Clothing with unsuitable pictures or slogans is not appropriate. Bring suitable clothing with you rather than relying on borrowing it on site.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque opening hours: frequently asked questions
What time does the Sheikh Zayed Mosque open?
Outside Ramadan it opens to visitors at 09:00 every day. It closes at 20:30 on all days except Friday, with the last entry at 20:00.
Is the mosque open on Friday?
Yes, in two windows: 09:00 to 11:30 (last entry 11:00) and 14:30 to 20:30 (last entry 20:00). The main prayer hall can stay closed from 12:00 to 15:00.
Can I visit at night?
The regular visit ends at 20:30. A separate self-guided night format, Sura, runs from 21:00 to 09:00. It is its own offer and needs to be arranged in advance.
What are the hours during Ramadan?
For the first 20 days: 09:00 to 18:00 and 21:30 to 01:00, with Friday from 14:30 to 18:00 and 21:30 to 01:00. In the last 10 days: 09:00 to 18:00, and Friday only 14:30 to 18:00.
When are the free cultural tours?
At 11:00, 13:00 and 17:00 on most days, and at 11:00 and 17:00 on Fridays. In Ramadan there are tours at 11:00 and 13:00 from Saturday to Thursday and none on Friday.
Is this the official website of the mosque?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not the website of the mosque, its visitor centre or any government body. Check the current timetable before you travel.