Worth a stop! Dress modestly or put on a hijab on the way in. It’s a shrine to one of Mohammed’s granddaughters. Some prayers were happening when we were in there. Just be respectful. It’s quite a site.

The “Grand Mosque” is really not the right name. It is a Shia shrine, not a mosque, built over the grave of one of the young daughters of Hussein, the third Imam (or saint) in Shia Islam. The correct name is Seyedeh Khawleh Shrine. Worth a visit regardless of religion if you happen to be in Baalbek. You won’t be asked for ID, but you maybe searched. Visitors are segregated by sex and female visitors are required to wear a hijab (cover their hair) and cover arms. Wearing a legging doesn’t count for modest attire, as one visitor ahead of us found out-The female guards offered her something to put on before they let her in. Best times to visit are morning hours up to 10 am and after 7-8 pm to avoid the noon crowds. There is no fees to enter. Leave your shoes at the door in designated area. If you are given a ticket you are not expected to pay the attendant but you can make a donation. Locals and visitors throw money at the grave site inside the shrine, but it is not a requirement. Don’t film others, but you are free to film or take pics of the site and yourselves without attracting too much attention, just don’t over do it, as the site is primarily a religious site, and definitely no photos or video at the entrance in front of the guards.