10 Best mosques in Dubai

Dubai is not only full of luxuries and resorts with endless activities for the whole family, but it also allows you to get to know a little more about Muslim culture. When you're making your list of what to see in Dubai, you should, at the very least, include a visit to one of its mosques.

These religious centres are brilliant architectural monuments with spectacular works of art inside. Join me for this list of the best mosques in Dubai.

The Jumeirah Mos que is one of the most important and most visited mosques in Dubai. This is because it is one of the mosques where non-Muslims can enter and even take pictures. It is located in front of the Pal Strip, Jumeirah RD.

Its structure is made of stone and stands out in the centre of the neighbourhood of the same name. Sunset is one of the best times to visit because it offers an almost magical charm as the sun sets within its walls.

Important information

• Where: Located in the Jumeirah neighbourhood on Jumeirah Beach Road, near the beach of the same name and the Dubai Zoo.
• How to get there: Take the metro on the red line to the nearest stop, which is the World Trade Center. From there you can take a taxi or bus as it is a bit far away. The easiest option is to book one of the buses that offer private tours.
• How long does it take to get there: Approximately 25 minutes.
• Is it open to the public: Yes, the entrance fee is quite affordable at around €3.
• What are the opening hours: The Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) organises tours in English from Saturday to Thursday at 10am.

The Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque and Centre is one of the first mosques to open its doors to non-Muslims. Whether you want to discover the Islamic faith, admire the architecture of the building or enter to pray, it is an ideal place to visit.

Not only is it the bridge between Arab civilisation and the rest of the world, it is also an impressive piece of architecture in the heart of Al Safa. It is inspired by the Blue Mosque in Istanbul and rises 30 metres above the ground. It is one of the largest mosques in the United Arab Emirates and has a capacity of 2000 worshippers.

Important information

• Where is it: It is located at Jumeirah 3, 35th Street Dubai City.
• How to get there: You can take the metro by taking the red line to Al Safa 1, Street 19, Jumeirah college.
• How long does it take to get there: If you go by metro or bus, the approximate time is 1 hour and 30 minutes. By taxi or car about 22 minutes depending on traffic.
• Is it open to the public: Yes. There are tours of Dubai that you can book for around 39 euros and they offer guided tours.
• What are the opening hours: It is open every day from 10:00h and 11:00h in the morning. In the afternoon at 16:15h and 18:00h.

This Mosque also known as Grand Bur Dubai Masjid, is an iconic place of worship. It has a capacity of 1200 worshippers. It is home to the tallest minaret in Dubai, which is 70 metres (230 feet) high and resembles a lighthouse. The building has a long history and was a school or Kuttab dedicated to the study of the Qur'an.

The first students attended in 1900 and memorised the entire Qur'an. In 1960, a new mosque was created, which was rebuilt in 1998 to replicate the original architecture.

The aim of this mosque is to increase knowledge of Islamic and Arabic culture.

Important Information

• Where is it located: Opposite Dubai Museum, Near Rulers Court Office - Ali Abi Talib St - Al Fahidi.
• How to get there: Take the green metro line to Al Fahidi station. From there you can walk there.
• How long does it take to get there: From the centre by metro it takes about 27 minutes, and from the metro station to the mosque it takes about 10 minutes on foot.
• Is it open to the public?: Yes, and admission is free.
• What are the opening hours?: It is open 24 hours a day, but tours take place from Sunday to Thursday mornings.

The Al Salam Mosque is an imposing structure with several domes arranged in the shape of a pyramid. It is striking from the outside with its crimson-red bricks, golden domes and white reliefs along the edges.

It combines Emirati and Ottoman architecture, and the word 'Shahada', one of the five pillars of Islam, is written on its façade. The mosque is especially spectacular at night because its glowing green and gold lighting highlights every detail of the structure.

Important information

• Where: Al Salam Masjid, Al Barsha 2.
• How to get there: From downtown take the red metro line to Dubai Mall station, from there you can walk to Jumeirah 3 bus stop and from there another bus will drop you off at Dubai American Academy 1. From there you will have to walk for about 12 minutes to get there.
• How long does it take to get there: The whole walk can take 1 hour and 5 minutes.
• Itis not open to the public.

The Abdul Rahman Siddique Mosque is an undeniably modern structure with a minimalist design. It is a focal point for spirituality and devotion. Its linear minaret, cubist-style main hall, rigid lines and geometric elements set this mosque apart from the rest of the city's religious temples.

It has white and blue glazing that makes it gleam in the sunlight and allows natural light to filter through to the Alquibla, which is the direction in which Muslims pray towards Mecca.

Important information

• Where is it? It is located in the palm of Jumeirah.
• How to get there: Take the red metro line to Damac Properties station, from there you will change to the Dubai Marina Tram. Then take tram 1 to Jumeirah Palm Tram Station. You will then take the Monorail which runs the length of the palm trunk.
• How long does it take to get there: the ride can take around 2 hours.
• Not open to the public.

This mosque is known as the Green Mosque of Dubai, as it is the first eco-friendly mosque in the region. The Islamic religion has an important tradition of conserving natural resources and this mosque demonstrates that spirit as it is 100% environmentally friendly.

It is located on **Dubai'**s iconic waterfront. It was built with environmentally friendly materials and has solar panels for electricity and an air-conditioning system. It is also close to the popular Deira Gold Souk, so there is plenty more to discover in the surrounding area.

Important information

• Where: Located in an area of Dubai City called Deira. It borders the Persian Gulf, Sharjah and Dubai Creek.
• How to get there: From downtown, walk to Wals,Etisalat bus station, which will drop you at City Centre Metro bus Stop 1-2 and from there you have to walk about 2 minutes to get there.
• How long does it take to get there: approximately 38 minutes.
• Not open to the public.

This mosque is integrated into the urban aesthetic of City Walk, is cube-shaped and reddish-brown in colour. Its design is a little more distant from the classic elements of the other temples, such as minarets and domes. This one, on the other hand, has elegant glass door shapes, more in the minimalist style.

At night the structure is delicately illuminated, creating an ethereal effect. On one side of the building is a gigantic sculpture by Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej (inspired by a verse from the Qur'an) and a classic Arabic stainless steel fountain in undulating forms.

Important information

• Where: Located in the City Walk district.
• How to get there: The shortest and quickest way is by car or taxi. How long does it take to get there: About 6 minutes from the centre.
• Not open to the public.

This giant and impressive structure is located next to Gate Village in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The design of this grand mosque is inspired by traditional Islamic architecture.

It features elements such as the Mashrabiya. The mosque is surrounded by a series of graduated perforations thanks to the light that is divided inside. So this temple has a modern and also a classical touch that is impressive to look at.

Important information

• Where is it: At Trade Centre - DIFC.
• How to get there: Take the red metro line to Emirates Towers Metro Station and walk for about 10 minutes to reach DIFC Gate Village.
• How long does it take to get there: Approximately 21 minutes.
• Not open to the public.

Masjid Al Rahim is located at the back of the majestic cityscape of the Dubai Marina. The structure is adorned with a huge dome and has a waterfront façade facing the promenade bordered by a waterfall.

It is open to worshippers only and has a library and a school where the Qur'an is studied.

Important information

• Where is it? At the southern end of Dubai Marina Walk.
• How to get there: You can take the red metro line to Dubai Marina Mall station.
• How long does it take? Approximately 49 minutes.
• Not open to the public.

First of all, you should know that this mosque is located at the gates of Abu Dhabi, at the eastern end of the capital island of the same name, in the Persian Gulf, but because of its importance it deserves to be mentioned in this list. I'm talking about the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the most beautiful religious monuments in the country. Critics and tourists alike say that this mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in the Arab world.

The purpose of this mosque is to unify all Muslim cultures and traditions in a single temple.

Important information

• Where: At the beginning of Zone 1 of Abu Dhabi Island. Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed ST - Abu Dhabi.
• How to get there: I recommend effective and fast means of transport to get there: Tourist bus or by car.
• How long does it take to get there: From the centre of Dubai, between one hour and one hour and 30 minutes (depending on traffic).
• Is it open to the public: Yes, they offer guided tours of the entire mosque for approximately €18 per person.
• What are the opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. And on Fridays it opens at 16:30h.

If you plan to visit any of the mosques open to the public, remember to follow certain dress codes. For example, women should ideally enter wearing a skirt and long-sleeved shirt, and cover their hair with a headscarf.

For men, they may not wear shorts (above the knees) and shirts must be long-sleeved. Some mosques have garment rental services. Barefoot clothing is compulsory for both men and women.

I'd like to take this opportunity to leave you with a guide on how to dress in Dubai, as I'm sure you will have some questions.

If you are planning to visit the United Arab Emirates, it is also a good idea to review practical tips for travelling to Dubai, so you can enjoy your holiday. Remember to visit some of the mosques, even if they are not open to non-Muslims, their designs and structures are wonderful.