Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi: Uncovering the Wonders of One of the World's Most Majestic Places of Worship

Abu Dhabi’s most famous landmark, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, attracts millions of visitors annually. Despite the large crowds, there's an overwhelming sense of serenity that envelops this magnificent site.

As the largest and most elaborate mosque in the UAE, it never fails to impress. Tourists from all over the world flock to witness its grandeur, with an impressive 4 million visitors making the pilgrimage to the mosque in the first half of 2019 alone.

In 2018, TripAdvisor ranked the mosque as the third most popular landmark in the world, outshining global marvels like St. Peter's Basilica and the Taj Mahal, though Angkor Wat in Cambodia claimed the top spot.

Impressive Facts About the Mosque

With a capacity to accommodate over 40,000 worshipers, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque holds three Guinness World Records: for the largest handwoven carpet, the biggest chandelier, and the largest dome of its type in the world.

The mosque combines spiritual significance with awe-inspiring grandeur, featuring 82 white marble domes, 1,096 exterior columns, 96 internal columns encrusted with semi-precious jewels, and seven massive 24-carat gold-plated Swarovski crystal chandeliers. It stands as the breathtaking centerpiece of Abu Dhabi's cultural heritage.

A Masterpiece of Architecture

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is named after the first president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was the visionary behind the creation of this majestic site.

Sheikh Zayed not only dreamed up the mosque, but he also intended it to be his final resting place. Following his passing in 2004, his tomb was laid to rest in the mosque's serene courtyard.

The mosque was designed by Syrian architect Yousef Abdelky, drawing inspiration from Persian, Mughal, and Moorish architectural styles. Its construction involved a global effort, with more than 3,000 artisans from 38 different companies working together.

The true luxury lies in the finer details, such as the columns embedded with precious stones like amethyst and jasper, as well as the stunning floral patterns crafted from mother-of-pearl that adorn the walls.

A British perspective in the heart of Abu Dhabi.

British artist and illustrator Kevin Dean, who designed the intricate floral motifs that embellish the mosque, describes his involvement in this monumental architectural project as a truly transformative experience.

Dean’s involvement in the mosque project came about thanks to Professor Salma Damluji from the Royal College of Art, who recommended him. He was personally appointed by the late Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed, who oversaw the mosque’s construction.

Dean recalls, 'I sent over my portfolio, and just a few days later, I found myself on a plane to Abu Dhabi to meet Sheikh Sultan.' The artist, known for his work with the Natural History Museum in London, had his life changed by this opportunity.

"He was a wonderful person with a wealth of ideas for the mosque. He didn't want it to follow the traditional Islamic geometric patterns."

Dean was amazed by the creative freedom he was granted on the project.

"It was as much a logistical challenge as it was an artistic one," Dean says. "I’m used to working with tight restrictions on things like book illustrations, but here I was incredibly fortunate to have the liberty to be creative on such a monumental project."

After nearly four years of working on the project, including frequent trips to Italy to oversee the design of the marble pieces, Dean was stunned to see his botanical designs come to life around the 17,600-square-meter courtyard. The project required more than 30 million pieces of marble.

"I could hardly believe it," he reflects. "It was truly breathtaking and incredibly beautiful."

"For the main courtyard, I chose flowers native to the Middle Eastern region. In the prayer hall, the species are from the Middle East; at the northern entrance, the plants are from the northern hemisphere; and at the southern entrance, they hail from the southern hemisphere."

"Sheikh Sultan truly appreciated this concept, as he viewed the Islamic faith as universally inclusive, and my designs embody that spirit."

High-profile and royal visitors

The mosque has welcomed its share of famous visitors, particularly supermodels such as Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Shanina Shaik, Chanel Iman, and Halima Aden. Each of them embraced traditional attire as they took in the mosque's awe-inspiring beauty.

In 2016, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall kicked off their UAE tour with a visit to the mosque. Other stars, including Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, and British singer Dua Lipa, also ensured that Abu Dhabi's iconic landmark was included in their Middle East travels.

Insider tips for your visit

The mosque is open to the public every day from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (with the last entry at 9:30 p.m.), except on Friday mornings, when it opens from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Entry is free.

Be sure to sign up for the free, one-hour guided tours, which offer a fascinating look into the mosque's architectural marvel, its cultural significance, and the Islamic faith.

For a truly romantic experience, the sunset tour, which begins at 5 p.m., offers the perfect lighting. After dark, the mosque takes on a whole new atmosphere, beautifully illuminated for an unforgettable sight.

As the mosque is a place of Muslim worship, modest dress is required. Women should cover their legs, arms, and heads, while men must wear long trousers. The mosque offers free traditional abayes (robes) for visitors, making it easy to adhere to the dress code.

Visitors must remove their shoes before entering, so it's a good idea to bring socks if you prefer not to walk barefoot. Additionally, sunglasses are recommended to protect your eyes from the sun's reflection off the marble courtyard surface.

Although the mosque is a popular attraction, its vastness ensures it never feels overcrowded. To avoid the intense midday heat, it's best to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Photography tips

With its breathtaking beauty, it’s no surprise that photographers from around the world are drawn to the mosque, hoping to snap that perfect picture.

Internationally recognized photographer Mark Luscombe-Whyte, known for his expertise in Arab architecture, had the privilege of photographing the mosque for the 2016 launch cover of Architectural Digest Arabia.

‘Like many iconic buildings, it’s the combination of size and spiritual significance that makes the mosque truly magical,’ Luscombe-Whyte explains to Dinogo Travel. ‘During our shoot, we had rare moments of solitude, allowing us to fully absorb and appreciate the scale and craftsmanship of the mosque.’

Luscombe-Whyte and his team were granted exclusive access to photograph the mosque at dawn, avoiding the large crowds that typically gather later in the day.

‘We began our shoot at 5 a.m., capturing the grand exteriors in wide-angle shots. As the crowd grew, we used figures to add scale and drama to the images,’ Luscombe-Whyte recalls.

For those aiming to snap the perfect shot, Luscombe-Whyte recommends: ‘Arrive early, choose one standout shot, and focus all your attention on perfecting it.’

Regarding the crowds, Luscombe-Whyte suggests embracing them in your photos rather than avoiding them. ‘A single person can bring a sense of life to a building like this,’ he explains.

How to get there

Taxis from the city center offer the fastest and most convenient route to the mosque, taking just 20 minutes with affordable fares.

If you're coming from Dubai, the mosque is about a 90-minute drive from Dubai Mall — a trip worth taking whether you're religious or not.

Maximize your visit by combining the mosque with another iconic Abu Dhabi landmark. And if you prefer not to hail a taxi, your hotel concierge can arrange a private ride in comfort, complete with air-conditioning and iPhone charging ports.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, located on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. For inquiries, call +971 2 419 1919.