€£$
по-русскиen Español (pronto)
enter
1511things to do
in the world
117things to do
in Emirates
27things to do
in Abu Dhabi

Visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosquein Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

#1of 27 things to doin Abu Dhabi

Take local guide

Visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in one of the toursChoose

Oddviser

adventure's step-by-step
recipes & lifehacks
How to ride a board on volcano in Nicaragua?How to walk inside the active volcano in Greece?How to feed flying dogs in the jungles of Thailand?How to cycle along the Great Wall of China?How to swim in the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome?How to ride a kayak along the canals of Venice?How to walk on the roofs of skyscrapers in Dubai?
Join usit's more fun together :)
It is a symbol of original Islamic architecture, an example of the unity of all nations and religions.
How to visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi
This is one of the six largest mosques in the world and one of two mosques in the Emirates, which non-Muslims are allowed to enter. Free tours are 4 times a day. Access is restricted only during prayers.

The snow-white Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque impresses people not only with its grandeur and classical architectural techniques, but also with its unique decoration. You will find yourself among the luxury of interiors, in the decoration of which the variegated crystals, ceramics, semiprecious stones and gold prevail.

Mosque, Abu Dhabi
Photo: © Elaine Williams

Some elements of the decor are registered in the Guinness Book of Records. For example, here is the worlds largest carpet and a set of seven unique chandeliers, one of which had the status of the largest in the world until 2010.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi

How to do?

1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located on the 5th Street or Sheikh Rashid bin Zayed Street. If you are going to visit the mosque as part of the tour, you will get here by the tourist bus. But if you are inspired by Oddviser and want to do it without middlemen, get on the city bus at the main bus station. It is located next to the intersection of Hazza bin Zayed Street and Western Road. The shortest path takes 18 minutes (13, 7 km).

Leave the rented car in the parking lot at the southern entrance.

2. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the place where it is better to go by yourself, as the entry to the mosque and the tour around it is completely free. At the eastern entrance you will see the inscription "Tour Starts Here". Groups are forming here approximately 15 minutes before the start of the tour.

Mosque, Abu Dhabi

3. During the tour you can take a closer look at the masterful finish, decorated with leaf gold, ceramic, marble and Swarovski crystals. The guide will tell you about the history of Islam and the mosque - how it was created, including peculiar elements of the decor.

Columnes in the mosque, Abu Dhabi

Inside the mosque, Abu Dhabi

When to do?

Excursions are held from Sunday to Thursday - 10:00, 11:00, 17:00, on Fridays - 16:30 and 20:00, on Saturdays - 10:00, 11:00, 17:00, 20:00.

The time of excursion is 45 minutes.

Tips and hints

Before entering the mosque you need to take off your shoes and wash your feet in a special room. That's why in order not to create a "jam-up" at the entrance, put on something that can be quickly removed, for example, slip-on sneakers.

Women at the entrance will be given abaya - a traditional Muslim dress that covers the body from head to foot, but you can come to the place in clothes that cover your hands and feet and with a head covered with a shawl. Men, too, should give preference to closed clothing - no shorts and sleeveless jackets.

Turn off the sound of your mobile phone. If there are food, water or cigarettes, do not even take them out.

Do not forget to bring your camera. You can take pictures everything here, except the mausoleum of the creator of the mosque.

Tours & excursions 1

#2Abu Dhabi City Tour from DubaiAbu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai

Explore the rich past and the vibrant present of Abu Dhabi, the largest and the capital emirate of United Arab Emirates.

AED 176+/person

Reviews

Guest16 May 2024

More things to do in Abu Dhabi

Kickstart your crypto portfolioStart Your Crypto Adventure!advertisement

Click on the link to kickstart your crypto portfolio and get 100 USDT trading fee rebate!

+100 USDTEarth
#14Have dinner in roller coaster restaurant in Abu DhabiHave dinner in roller coaster restaurantoddviser

Here you can not only have a good meal but also see how dishes go down the roller coasters.

Yas Mall
#20Watch camel beauty contest in Abu DhabiWatch camel beauty contestAnna Grishina

Once a year, the most beautiful camels from the countries of the Persian Gulf and South Africa gather here.

#21Go sandboarding in Abu DhabiGo sandboardingAnri Genyari

Got bad experience in skiing? Take sandboarding! Warm and soft sand dunes is much more pleasant than cold and wet snow.

1000Liwa oasis
#19Drive over Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu DhabiDrive over Sheikh Zayed Bridgeoddviser

This bridge is an architectural masterpiece, for which designers were awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize.

FREESheikh Zayed Bridge
#10Ride the most speedy roller coaster in the world in Abu DhabiRide the most speedy roller coaster in the worldoddviser

Take a ride on the world's fastest roller coaster of 2 200 m with the speed of 240 km per hour.

250Ferrari World
#15Try dragon boating in Abu DhabiTry dragon boatingoddviser

Try your hand at paddling in a team of 20 people on a boat, stylized as a dragon.

FREECapital Dragons Organization
#4See Yowla dance in Abu DhabiSee Yowla danceoddviser

Yowla is traditionally performed by men in snow-white dresses - kanduras. The dance symbolizes the unity and togetherness of the emirates.

FREEQasr Al Hosn fort
#12Get gold from an ATM in Abu DhabiGet gold from an ATMNika

This ATM gives real 24-carat gold bars and gift coins with an exclusive design.

133Emirates Palace Hotel
#23Drive a race car along the Formula 1 circuit in Abu DhabiDrive a race car along the Formula 1 circuitTouchstone

Formula 1 Grand Prix takes the Yas Marina Circuit only a few days a year.

1750Yas Marina Race Track
#3Take safari on Sir Bani Yas in Abu DhabiTake safari on Sir Bani Yasoddviser

On a safari on Sir Bani Yas you will meet rare animals and birds face to face - cheetahs, Arabian oryxes, giraffes and many others.

280
#13Take a boat ride alongh the mangroves in Abu DhabiTake a boat ride alongh the mangrovesoddviser

Take a boat trip along the "green island" of Abu Dhabi. It's hard to believe, but it's situated next to the center.

200Eastern Mangrove Lagoon
Know more things to do?Guest

Share your ideas of what to do in Abu Dhabi with other travellers — together we'll make our travellings more interesting!

Photo credit © Wei Chong Pang