10 Best mosques in Dubai

Dubai is not only full of luxuries and resorts with plenty of 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 travel plans, you should, at the very least, include a visit to one of the 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 Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque and Centre is one of the first mosques to open its doors to non-Muslims. It is a place of peace and harmony. Whether you want to discover the Islamic faith, admire the architecture of the building or go inside to pray, it is an ideal place to visit.

Not only is it the bridge between Arab civilisation and the rest of the world, but it is also quite 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 for 2,000 worshippers.

Important information

• Where is it? It is located at Jumeirah 3, 35th Street Dubai City.
• How to get there: You can take the red metro 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 which can be booked for around 39 euros and offer guided tours.
• What are the opening hours: It is open daily from 10am and in the afternoon between 4.15pm and 6pm.

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 Pal Strip, Jumeirah RD.

Its structure is made of stone and stands out in the centre of the homonymous neighbourhood. 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 is it? It is 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 red line metro to the nearest stop, 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.
• What are the opening hours? You can book a guided tour of Dubai with a visit to the Blue Mosque which lasts approximately 4-5 hours and starts at 8.45am.

This mosque, also known as the Grand Bur Dubai Masjid, is an iconic place of worship. It has a capacity of 1,200 worshippers.

It is home to Dubai's tallest minaret, which is 70 metres (230 feet) high and resembles a lighthouse. The building has a long history and was once 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 are held from Sunday to Thursday mornings.

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

At night, the structure is delicately illuminated, creating an ethereal effect, so I recommend you book a night bus tour of Dubai and take advantage of the opportunity to get there in comfort. On one side of the building you can discover the gigantic sculpture by Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej (inspired by a verse from the Koran) and a classic Arabic stainless steel fountain in undulating forms.

Important information

• Where is it? It is 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.

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. On its façade is written the word 'Shahada' which is one of the five pillars of Islam.

The mosque is especially spectacular at night because its glowing green and gold lighting highlights every detail of the structure.

Important information about the mosque

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

This mosque is known as Dubai's Green Mosque because it is the first eco-friendly mosque in the region. The Islamic religion has an important tradition of conserving natural resources and this mosque is an example of 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, as well as 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 is it? Located in an area of Dubai city called Deira. It borders the Persian Gulf, Sharjah and Dubai Creek, so it's a good option to take a trip to Sharjah from Dubai to visit it.
• How to get there: From downtown, walk to the Wals bus station, Etisalat, which will drop you off at City Centre Metro bus Stop 1-2 and from there it's about a 2-minute walk.
• How long does it take to get there: approximately 38 minutes.
• 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 glass windows that make it gleam in the sunlight. It also 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 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 and 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 yet classical feel to it that is impressive to look at.

Important information

• Where is it: Trade Centre - DIFC.
• How to get there: Take the red metro line to Emirates Towers Metro Station and walk for about 10 minutes to 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 façade facing the waters of the waterfront 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, in the Persian Gulf, but due to its importance it is worth mentioning in this list.

I am talking about the great Sheikh Zayed Mosque, one of the most beautiful religious monuments in the whole country. Critics and tourists alike say it is one of the most beautiful in the Arab world. If you go to Dubai, be sure to book an excursion to Abu Dhabi with a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, you won't regret it.

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

Important information about the Sheikh Zayed Mosque

• Where is it: at the beginning of Zone 1 of Abu Dhabi Island. Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed ST - Abu Dhabi.
• How to get there: I recommend that you book a tour to Abu Dhabi with a visit to Sheikh Zayed Mosque to get there comfortably and without any worries.
• How long does it take to get there: from the centre of Dubai, 1 to 1:30 hours depending on traffic.
• Is it open to the public: Yes, it is open to the public and there is a wide range of guided tours available.
• What are the opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 9am to 10pm. And on Fridays it opens at 4.30 pm.

On your list of things to see and do in Dubai you must include a visit to one of the mosques that are open to the public and, even if they are not open to non-Muslims, their designs and structures are wonderful. Just remember to follow certain dress codes.

• Women should ideally wear a skirt and long-sleeved shirt, and cover their hair with a headscarf.
• Men should not wear shorts (above the knees) and shirts should be long-sleeved. Some mosques have garment rental services and it is compulsory for both men and women to remove their shoes.

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 doubts. And if you are planning to visit the United Arab Emirates, it's also a good idea to review the practical tips for travelling to Dubai so you can make the most of your holiday.