How to Get to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
There are two different routes to travel to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque by bus, starting from Dubai to central Abu Dhabi. Visitors wondering how to get to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque can either take Route 100 from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station or Route 101 from Ibn Battuta Mall and travel for approximately 20 and 30 minutes, respectively, before reaching Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. From there, you can board a local Abu Dhabi bus service 94 to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Some of the other bus services that operate on this route are bus numbers 44, 54, 102, 110, 111, 115, and 401.
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If you are thinking about how to reach Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque by car, you must know that you can either self-drive or hire a private driver to get to the attraction. People who are self-driving can take the E11 Highway all the way to Abu Dhabi and follow the navigation to reach their desired location. On the contrary, you can hire a private driver if you are wondering how to get to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with a small group or a family. It will take you approximately 1.5 hours to travel a distance of 15 kilometers from the city center and reach your ideal destination through roadways.
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Taxis are readily available in Abu Dhabi, and visitors can easily hire a taxi as a preferred mode of transportation on how to reach Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. You can hail a taxi from the street or book them through one of the many taxi apps available in the UAE, such as Careem or Uber. The taxi trip will cost you approximately AED 300 to AED 350 one-way and travel time for approximately 1.5 hours to reach your desired destination.
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If you are wondering how to get to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque by metro, you must know that there are no direct metro lines to reach the destination. However, you can take the Red Line of the Abu Dhabi metro to the Al Wahda Mall station. From there, you can take a bus, car, or taxi to reach your ideal destination.
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Things to Know Before You Go to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Location- Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street - 5th St - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates.
Timing- The opening hours of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are between 9 am to 10 pm from Saturday to Thursday. The mosque is open from 9 am to 12 pm and then from 3 pm to 10 pm on Friday.
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The best time to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is either early in the morning or late evening when the crowds are smaller and the lighting is optimal for photography. If you are looking for the best months to travel to the mosque, you should consider visiting during the winter months between November and April. During this time, the weather remains cool and pleasant, making it comfortable to explore the outdoor areas of the mosque.
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- Pay a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and get impressed by the intricate details and ornate designs of the building.
- Explore the awe-inspiring artistic features of the mosque, including the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet made from over 2.2 billion knots and the largest chandelier in the world made up of over 40000 Swarovski crystals.
- Enjoy the calm and peaceful atmosphere around the attraction and admire the sounds of the fountains and soft lighting spreading all over the place.
- Get an insight into the mosque’s history, architecture, and cultural significance through the guided tours for a more enhanced experience.
- Admire the view of the attraction on the Reflection Pool and click plenty of photographs to capture moments to cherish down memory lane.
- Dress appropriately before paying a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
- Cover your arms and legs with an abaya and your head with a scarf inside the premises of the mosque.
- Take a guided tour for an enhanced experience of the mosque and learn about its history, architecture, and cultural significance of the mosque.
- Pay respect to the mosque’s rules and remove your shoes before entering the premises of the attraction.
- Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated at all times during your visit to the mosque.
FAQ’s About Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
What is special about Sheikh Zayed Mosque?
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is special for a variety of reasons, including its stunning architecture, grandeur, and cultural significance. It beautifully blends different Islamic architectural features that attract the interest of thousands of tourists from different parts of the world. People are also drawn to its 82 domes, 24-carat gold gilded chandeliers, over 1000 columns, and the largest hand-knotted carpet in the world.
Can non-Muslims visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque?
Yes, non-Muslims can visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. However, visitors are required to dress modestly and adhere to the mosque's rules and regulations. This includes removing their shoes before entering the mosque, covering their arms and legs, and women wearing a headscarf (hijab) and an abaya (a loose, black garment) over their clothing. The mosque provides abayas for women who do not have their own.
Can a woman visit a mosque in Dubai?
Yes, a woman can visit mosques in Dubai, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. But, you must dress modestly with your legs and arms completely covered and a scarf covering your head. Women are also required to wear an abaya (a loose, black garment) over their clothing when visiting the mosque.
Is there an entrance fee to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?
No, there is no entrance fee to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The mosque is open to visitors free of charge. This aligns with the vision of the late President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who believed that the mosque should be accessible to all visitors, regardless of their financial status.
When was Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque built?
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was built between 1994 and 2007. Initiated by the late President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the mosque's construction was the creation of the Syrian architect, Yousef Abdelky. After its erection, it was named after the father of the nation, Sheikh Zayed. It took 12 years for the construction of the entire attraction to be completed, and since its opening, it has become one of the most iconic landmarks of the United Arab Emirates.
Are guided tours available at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?
Yes, guided tours are available at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The mosque offers complimentary live guided tours to visitors through which they can learn about the history, architecture, and cultural significance of the mosque. These tours are available in several languages, including Arabic, English, French, German, Mandarin, and Spanish, and the duration of the tour ranges between 45 minutes to an hour.
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