Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque entry fees now apply to sightseeing visitors, with UAE Emirates ID holders paying AED 5 and international visitors AED 10.
ABU DHABI: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque entry fees have been introduced for visitors, marking an important change for residents and tourists planning to explore one of the UAE’s most recognised cultural landmarks.
Under the new fee structure published by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, visitors from outside the UAE pay AED 10, while Emirates ID holders pay AED 5. Visitors entering through tour operators are charged AED 8.
The change applies to people visiting the mosque for sightseeing. The landmark continues to welcome worshippers without an admission charge, preserving its primary role as a place of worship.
Visitors aged 60 and above can enter free of charge. Children under three and people of determination are also exempt from the visitor admission fee, according to local reporting on the new system.
How can visitors book their mosque entry?
Visitors can arrange access through the official Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre booking platform. The centre’s website now provides an individual booking system through which guests can organise their visit and proceed to payment.
The mosque is open to visitors from 9am until 8.30pm from Saturday to Thursday. On Fridays, visiting hours are split between 9am and 11.30am and from 2.30pm until 8.30pm.
Free guided cultural tours also remain available for individuals and groups. Led by official cultural tour specialists, the sessions explain elements of the mosque’s architecture and Islamic culture. The centre advises guests to arrive about 15 minutes before their tour.
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What should visitors know before arriving?
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque entry fees are only one part of planning a visit. Guests must continue to follow the mosque’s visitor code of conduct and dress requirements appropriate to the religious setting.
The mosque remains among Abu Dhabi’s most visited landmarks. More than three million guests were recorded during the first half of 2026, including worshippers, visitors and people using the recreational walking track.
For tourists, the practical change means factoring a small admission charge into their visit and arranging access before arriving. UAE residents should also have their Emirates ID available to qualify for the AED 5 rate.
The new Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque entry fees create a clear distinction between sightseeing visits and religious access, with worship continuing to remain free.
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Impact to expect
Planning. Residents and tourists visiting for sightseeing will now need to account for the new admission charge and should arrange their access before travelling to the mosque.
