What to wear to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

To visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, women need loose clothing that reaches the ankles, sleeves that reach the wrists and a scarf that covers all their hair, according to the mosque centre's own published etiquette. Nothing should be tight, sheer or revealing. Since 2023 the mosque no longer lends abayas free of charge, so come dressed for it. Here is the full code, with practical outfit ideas.

What is the official dress code for women?

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre publishes its visitor etiquette on its website. For women, it asks for:

• Loose-fitting clothing that reaches the ankles.
• Sleeves that reach the wrists.
• All of your hair covered.
• Nothing see-through, tight or revealing.

For all visitors, it also asks for modest attire that reflects UAE customs and traditions, and advises avoiding excessive jewellery, heavy make-up, bright colours, and clothing with slogans or inappropriate drawings.

For men, the centre asks that the legs preferably be fully covered, and that shirts are not see-through, tight or sleeveless. Visit Abu Dhabi, the emirate's official tourism site, confirms that entry is free but that visitors must dress modestly and women must wear a headscarf.

Does the mosque still lend abayas?

Not for free. In April 2023, What's On Abu Dhabi reported that the mosque centre no longer lends abayas to visitors, which it used to do at no charge, and that visitors without suitable clothing can buy one from the shop for about AED 45. Some older travel guides still say abayas are provided at the entrance, so do not rely on them.

The centre's etiquette also asks tour operators to provide suitable attire and to tell visitors the entry rules in advance. If you are on an organised tour, ask the operator what is included before the day.

The simplest plan is to arrive already dressed for it, with your own scarf. If you are travelling with friends or family, check everyone's outfit before you leave the hotel: the most common problem at the entrance is one person in the group with bare ankles or a short sleeve, and the whole group then waits while they buy a cover. Children are expected to dress modestly too, though the rules are applied more gently to young ones. Teenagers are usually treated as adults.

What should you wear? Outfit ideas that pass

Any of these meet the code, as long as the fabric is opaque and the fit is loose.

• An abaya over your day clothes, with a matching shayla. The easiest option, and you can take it off after the visit.
• A long, loose maxi dress with full-length sleeves, in an opaque fabric, with a scarf.
• A day kaftan or jalabiya that reaches the ankle and has long sleeves.
• Wide-leg trousers with a long tunic that covers the hips and has sleeves to the wrist.

For the scarf, choose one big enough to wrap and pin so it stays put when you look up at the domes. A pashmina is too slippery for many people; cotton, viscose or jersey stays in place better.

Things that often fail: three-quarter sleeves, ankle-grazing trousers that ride up when you sit, slits in a skirt, sheer sleeves without a lining, leggings under a short tunic, and a scarf that shows your hairline.

What about the heat?

You will walk across large open courtyards of white marble, which can be hot underfoot and bright in the sun, so dress for the weather as well as the rules.

• From May to September, choose the lightest opaque fabrics you own: cotton voile with a lining, linen blends, crepe. Visit early or towards sunset.
• From November to March, days are pleasant, and evening visits, when the mosque is lit, are popular. Bring a light layer for the evening.
• Light colours stay cooler, and the centre's advice to avoid bright colours means soft neutrals, white, sand and pale blue are ideal.
• Sunglasses and sun cream are fine; a hat is not needed once your hair is covered.

The centre also asks visitors to take care on slippery marble floors, so choose shoes with grip that you can slip off and on easily where shoes are removed.

Other etiquette to know before you go

The centre's published manners go beyond clothing. The ones visitors most often miss:

• Photography is allowed for personal use, but only at the designated photo stops; professional equipment and commercial shoots need a permit.
• No food or drinks, including water, inside the mosque.
• No public displays of affection.
• Keep your voice low and your phone on silent.
• Supervise children at all times.
• Respect prayer times. Some areas may be closed to tourists while prayers are under way.

Tours can be booked online through the centre's visitor site, though What's On noted in 2023 that advance booking was not required. If you are visiting during Ramadan, dress and behave even more conservatively, and check the adjusted visiting hours.

Visiting other mosques in the UAE

The same principles apply at other mosques open to visitors, such as Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai, though each sets its own rules. As a general guide for women: cover arms and legs with loose, opaque clothing, cover your hair, remove your shoes before entering the prayer hall, and avoid strong perfume and noisy jewellery.

Visit Abu Dhabi also asks for modest dress at other heritage sites, such as Qasr Al Hosn. Keeping an abaya and a scarf in the car is the easiest way to be ready for any of them. For the wider rules on dress around the country, see our guide to what women can wear in Dubai, and for the different traditional garments, abaya, kaftan, jalabiya and thobe explained.

Where Lianora fits

Lianora supplies evening dresses and kaftans rather than day wear, so for the mosque itself an abaya or a simple maxi dress is the better choice. If your visit is part of a trip that includes a wedding, an Eid dinner or a gala, Lianora delivers across the UAE and the GCC in 10–15 days from the confirmed order, with customs duties and taxes paid. Browse the Arabic collection for long-sleeved kaftans, and check delivery and returns before you travel.