Close Menu
  • City trips
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Botswana
      • Egypt
      • Mauritius
      • Morocco
      • Namibia
    • Asia
      • China
      • India
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Maldives
      • Oman
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
    • Australia
      • New South Wales
      • New Zealand
      • Queensland
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Bulgary
      • Croatia
      • Cyprus
      • Czech Republic
      • England
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • Lithuania
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
        • Azores
      • Russia
      • Spain
        • Ibiza
        • Lanzarote
        • Mallorca
      • Switzerland
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Mexico
  • Hotel tipps
  • Swiss hiking
Recent Posts
  • Istrian Gourmet Experiences: 3 Stellar Restaurants + Our Wishlist for Next Time
  • What to Do Around Trieste: From Fairy-Tale Castles to Spectacular Caves, and Slovenia’s Capital
  • What to Do in Trieste: Explore Italy’s Coffee Capital One Cup at a Time
  • Madeira, the Island of Flowers: 19 Tips for Activities and Attractions.
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS
  • Home
  • About us
  • Media kit
  • Contact
  • Privacy policy
travelmemo
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • Commendable hotels
  • Golf
  • Restaurants
  • Hiking
  • City Trips
travelmemo
You are at:Home»United Arab Emirates»Abu Dhabi’s magnificent Sheikh Zayed Mosque
United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi’s magnificent Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Walter SchaererBy Walter SchaererFebruary 14, 202004 Mins Read
Abu Dhabi's magnificent Sheikh Zayed Mosque 1 | travel memo
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

This splendid mosque named after Sheik Zayed, co-founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates, is Abu Dhabi’s national symbol. It is the UAE’s largest mosque and the eighth-largest in the world. This imposing structure is a must-see on any Abu Dhabi itinerary.

After already having been deeply impressed by Oman’s Sultan Qaboos Mosque in Muscat, it was a no-brainer that we had to see this one while in Abu Dhabi!

Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayid Mosque at night
Imposing Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose name the mosque bears, commissioned its construction before his death. The locals frequently just call it the “Grand Mosque”.

The sheikh gave the architects and contractors specific directions on how the wanted the mosque’s look replicate paradise as described in the Koran.

Costly materials went into its construction, including 15 different kinds of marble and vast amounts of gold leaf.

The completed building was officially opened in 2007, after 11 years of construction.

According to Wikipedia, it cost USD 545 million to build, most of which came from the sheikh’s personal fortune.

The splendor of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque

The mosque trumps with the largest hand-knotted carpet and the biggest chandelier in the world.

It took more than a thousand Iranian carpet weavers 18 months to finish the 5,600 square meter carpet which weighs in at 35 tons.

The 12-ton chandelier measuring 10 meters across was fabricated in Munich, Germany. It is made of gilded bronze, stainless steel, and covered in thousands of multicolored Swarovski crystals arranged in flower motifs.

The largest chandelier in the world
The largest chandelier in the world
Chandelier mosque abu dhabi
This chandelier weighs 12 tons…
Sheik Zayid Mosque Abu Dhabi
…and has a ten meter diameter.

The main dome with its 33-meter diameter is another world record holder. The mosque has a total of 83 domes and more than 1,000 columns. Its four minarets rear 107 meters into the sky.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Main dome of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Mosque Abu Dhabi
A lateral view during the blue hour

The mosque’s interior is dominated by lots of white marble and 24-karat leaf gold. The snowy white marble columns are decorated with colorful flowers and date palms. Jewels and varicolored stained glass windows complete the opulent design.

Abu Dhabi's Scheikh Zayid Mosque
Snowy white marble columns…
Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi
Flowers and date palms decorate the Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Regardless if one is a believer or not in this or any other god, this sacred site is absolutely mind-boggling! We in any event were blown away by it, spending a whole three hours in it.

The mosque has room for 40,000 Muslim believers, of which some 30,000 would gather in the open courtyard. The main hall is designed for 7,000 men, with women relegated to the smaller prayer halls allocated for 1,500 of the female faithful.

There is no entry charge for touring the mosque. And the guided tours are also provided free of charge.

Our recommendation is to visit the mosque in late afternoon around 3:30 p.m. At that time of day, you can still admire in all its brilliant whiteness.

Sheik Zayid Mosque Abu Dhabi
Proudly the four minarets reach into the sky

However, the opportunities for the best photos come a little later when dusk falls and the blue hour sets in. You’ll also find there is more elbow room as darkness falls and visitor numbers dwindle.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi
The imposing Grand Mosque
The mosque at the blue hour
The mosque at the blue hour

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Dress code and etiquette

Women in the Sheik Zayed Mosque must abide by the Muslim dress code: Hair and skin must be covered. Although I wore slacks and a long-sleeved blouse, at the entrance I was ushered into a giant dressing room where all women visitors are loaned a free abaya.

Sheikh Zayed MosqueAbu Dhabi
Walter and Katja wearing the abaya

Men, too, are expected to dress appropriately. That means optimally trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. Definitely not with shoulders bared or wearing shorts.

Holding hands, kissing or other intimate gestures are prohibited within the mosque’s walls. Eating and smoking as well, needless to say.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Opening hours

Non-Muslims are admitted Saturdays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.(last admission at 9:20 p.m.)

All day Friday the mosque is reserved only for worshipers at the prayer services. But it can be toured again starting at 4:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Official website of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque: www.szgmc.gov.ae/en.

For other things to do in the city, also check these ten Abu Dhabi trip tips.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Culture
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleQasr Al Sarab Desert Resort – 5-stars, sandstorm included
Next Article Roads in Namibia – and filling stations for a carefree circle tour
Walter Schaerer
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Walter’s extensive background in the travel industry, passionate enthusiasm for photography and a firm belief that luxury destinations can also be affordable; were some of the main factors that motivated him to create the travel blog travelmemo.com. In his day job, Walter is an online marketing manager based in Zurich, Switzerland.

Related Posts

Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort – 5-stars, sandstorm included

February 14, 2020

10 unique things to do in Abu Dhabi | Travelmemo

February 14, 2020

Dubai – 13 travel tips for the city of superlatives

February 14, 2020
Add A Comment
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Travel along to inspiring destinations
Welcome to our travel blog! Katja & Walter are passionate about one-of-a-kind travel experiences.



We aim at inspiring you to travel, too, and see your own world with new eyes. Check out more about us here!

Travel blog on one-of-a-kind travel experiences.

About us
About us

Katja and Walter are passionate travel bloggers that care about design and boutique hotels and the personalised experience they offer. Their travelogues cater to discerning couples interested in a stylish atmosphere and romantic hideaways.

Walter & Katja founded the travel blog back in 2010.

Read more about us here!

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube RSS
Our latest travelogues

Istrian Gourmet Experiences: 3 Stellar Restaurants + Our Wishlist for Next Time

What to Do Around Trieste: From Fairy-Tale Castles to Spectacular Caves, and Slovenia’s Capital

What to Do in Trieste: Explore Italy’s Coffee Capital One Cup at a Time

Madeira, the Island of Flowers: 19 Tips for Activities and Attractions.

Hiking in Madeira: discover the breathtaking beauty of the Island of Flowers

Sardinian Shores Unveiled: An Unforgettable Self-Guided Boat Journey Along the Rugged East Coast

Southern Sardinia Uncovered: From Cagliari’s Charms and Chia’s Flamingos to the Beaches of Costa Rei

Sardinia’s Eastern Shores: Discovering Orosei and the Hidden Beaches from Cala Liberotto to Cala Goloritzé

Our travel topics
Alps (54) Animals (15) Architecture (38) Beach (33) Boutique Hotel (73) City Trip (39) Contributions (30) Country House (17) Culture (26) Design (69) Dinner (23) Experience (38) Flight (9) Golf (18) Gourmet (35) Hiking (21) Itinerary (9) Lake (16) Landscape (74) Lodge (24) Luxury (63) Masseria (9) Mr and Mrs Smith (15) Museum (9) Nature (102) Puglia (13) Relais & Châteaux (16) Relax (13) Rental Car (26) Resort (31) Restaurant (42) Road Trip (9) Rural (23) Safari (21) Shopping (9) Singapore (9) Spa-Wellness (47) Summer (8) Swiss Deluxe Hotels (16) Sydney (11) Tour (28) Wilderness Safaris (8) Winter (22) Zermatt (12) Zurich (13)
Join us in inspiring destinations!

Welcome to our travel blog!

Katja & Walter are passionate about one-of-a-kind travel experiences.

We aim at inspiring you to travel, too, and see your own world with new eyes. Check out more about us here!

© travelmemo.com by Walter Schaerer & Katja Birrer
  • Home
  • About us
  • Media kit
  • Contact
  • Privacy policy
© 2010 - 2025 Travelmemo, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Home
  • About us
  • Media kit
  • Contact
  • Privacy policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.