How to Beat the Crowds at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is free to visit. Book your visit on the official website before you go. It's open 9 am to 10 pm Saturday to Thursday, and on Fridays only in the morning and from 3 pm. Go at 9 am for calm halls, or come for sunset, which is beautiful but busy. Cover shoulders, arms and legs, and women must also cover their hair.
- Entry
- Free
- Booking
- Book your visit on the official site
- Saturday to Thursday
- 9 am to 10 pm, last entry 9:30 pm
- Friday
- 9 am to noon, and from 3 pm
- Dress code
- Arms and legs covered. Women cover hair
- Guided tours
- Free, daily
- Best time
- 9 am, or after sunset
- Time to allow
- 1.5 hours
How busy is the Grand Mosque?
This is the UAE's most visited sight, and tour coaches from Dubai arrive from mid-morning. Sunset is the busiest moment, when the white marble turns gold and the lights come on. Hours change during Ramadan and the mosque closes to visitors at prayer times.
Before you go, check how busy the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for UAE holidays, Ramadan, cruise arrivals and weather.
Check today’s crowds at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque →Best (and worst) times to go
- 9 am: before the Dubai coaches.
- After dark: lit up, with fewer people than at sunset.
- Worst: late afternoon to sunset, and Fridays around prayers.
Our hourly forecast for the Grand Mosque shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date.
Check today’s crowds at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque →