Abu Dhabi: Visitors to Abu Dhabi’s iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque will now be required to pay an entry fee under a new ticketing system introduced at one of the UAE’s most visited cultural landmarks.

Tourists will pay AED 10, while UAE residents holding a valid Emirates ID will be charged AED 5 to enter the mosque complex. Visitors arriving through tour operators will pay AED 8.

The mosque will continue to offer free entry to worshippers, while visitors aged 60 and above can also enter free of charge. Fees for official delegations will be determined by the relevant authorities.

Free cultural tours continue

Although general admission is now subject to a fee, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre will continue to offer free guided cultural tours for individuals and groups.

The 30-to-45-minute tours are conducted by cultural specialists and provide insights into the mosque’s architecture, Islamic craftsmanship and cultural significance.

Tours are generally offered at 11am, 1pm and 5pm from Saturday to Thursday, while Friday tours are available at 11am and 5pm.

Visitors can also take a separate tour of the mosque’s main prayer hall for AED 30. The tour is available outside restricted prayer periods, with the main prayer hall closed to tourists between noon and 3pm on Fridays.

New cultural experiences

The centre has expanded its range of paid cultural experiences with the Light & Peace Museum and Diya immersive experience.

Entry to the Light & Peace Museum costs AED 25, while Diya is also priced at AED 25. A combined ticket for both experiences is available for AED 40.

The Light & Peace Museum uses artefacts, artworks and interactive installations to explore Islamic culture and highlight the mosque’s message of tolerance and coexistence.

Diya offers a 360-degree sound-and-light experience taking visitors through the UAE’s landscapes and heritage. The immersive journey showcases the country’s oases, mountains, coastline and desert before highlighting the architectural features of the mosque, including its domes and minarets.

Visiting hours and dress requirements

General visiting hours are from 9am to 8:30pm, Saturday to Thursday.

On Fridays, visitors can enter from 9am to 11:30am and again from 2:30pm to 8:30pm. Night-time cultural tours are also available.

Visitors are required to follow the mosque’s modest dress code. Women must cover their hair, arms and legs and wear loose-fitting clothing, while men are required to wear long trousers and shirts with sleeves.

The centre no longer provides abayas to visitors whose clothing does not meet the requirements. Appropriate garments are available for purchase from AED 45 at the nearby Souq Al Jami.

More than 3.1 million guests in six months

The new admission charges come as the mosque continues to attract visitors from around the world.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre welcomed 3,127,607 guests during the first six months of 2026. The figure included more than 1.24 million visitors and 1.84 million worshippers and fasting guests.

International visitors accounted for 78 per cent of the total. India was the largest source market, followed by China, Russia, the United States and Germany.

A landmark of culture and tolerance

Built between 1996 and 2007, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was envisioned by the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, as a centre promoting tolerance, coexistence and dialogue between cultures.

Today, the mosque serves as both a place of worship and a major cultural and tourism destination, welcoming millions of visitors while showcasing Islamic architecture, craftsmanship and the UAE’s commitment to cultural understanding.