Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
جامع الشيخ زايد الكبير
One of the world's largest mosques, with 82 white marble domes, the world's largest hand-woven carpet and a huge crystal chandelier. Admission is free.
The Grand Mosque was initiated by Sheikh Zayed, the founding father of the UAE. It was completed in 2007, and he is buried there. The mosque can hold more than 40,000 worshippers and has 82 domes, over 1,000 columns and four 107-meter minarets. Its exterior uses white marble from North Macedonia, inlaid with semi-precious stone floral motifs. The main prayer hall is covered by an enormous carpet hand-woven by about 1,200 Iranian artisans, covering roughly 5,600 square meters. It was once the world's largest hand-woven carpet. The German Swarovski crystal chandelier hanging in the centre is also a record-holder. The complex is surrounded by reflecting pools, and at night the lighting changes color with the phases of the moon. Visits are free, but you must book a time slot on the official website. Security is strict and there is a dress code: men and women must wear long sleeves and long trousers, and women must cover their hair. If you are not dressed appropriately, you can borrow an Arab robe at the entrance. The mosque is closed to visitors on Friday mornings during prayers. A taxi from the city centre takes about 20 minutes. From Dubai, take the E101 bus and get off nearby. The visitor centre is in the Souq Al Jami mall, connected by an underground passage.
Opening hours
Sat–Thu 9:00am–10:00pm; Fri 3:00–10:00pm (advance booking required on official website)
Nearby sights
- Wahat Al Karama
- Mangrove National Park
- Umm Al Emarat Park
- Hudayriyat Island
- teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi
- Jubail Mangrove Park
- Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi
- Abrahamic Family House