The Golden Tour at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Why it is on the list

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the UAE, completed in 2007, and Sheikh Zayed is buried there.¹ It has 82 domes, more than 1,000 columns, a marble mosaic courtyard of about 17,000 m² and a hand-knotted carpet of 5,627 m² in the main prayer hall, which holds over 7,000.¹ The Centre that runs the mosque gives two private tours with its own cultural tour specialists; the Golden Tour adds a reserved parking place and a club car along a route chosen for the views.² The free public tours are 30 to 45 minutes with other visitors.³

It is the wrong visit for a Friday midday: the mosque closes to visitors from 11:30 to 14:30.⁴ For the desert rather than the city, take the Royal Platinum Desert Experience.

How to get it

Book on the Centre's private cultural tour booking page, or call the Centre on +971 2 4191919.²⁵⁶ Ask for the Golden Tour: AED 1,000 for 45 minutes or AED 1,500 for 90 minutes.² Tours run Saturday to Thursday from 9:00 to 19:00, and on Fridays at 9:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00.² The Centre's guides give tours in English and Arabic.⁴ Visitors enter through Gate 6, Al Salam.⁷

The dress code is enforced: for women, loose clothing to the ankles, sleeves to the wrists and hair fully covered; for men, the legs covered and no sleeveless or tight shirts.⁸ No food or drink, water included, is allowed inside.⁴

Discretion

Your car has a reserved parking place and a club car takes you around the grounds.² Every visitor passes a security check at the entrance, with separate lines for women and men.⁴ Photographs for personal use are allowed at the designated photo stops only; professional cameras and any commercial or press filming need the Centre's permit.⁸