In order to improve a characteristic of an optical element, an optical element (polarizing filter) including a substrate 1S having a wire-grid region 1A and a peripheral region 2A positioned on an outer periphery thereof is made to have the following configuration. A wire-grid in which a plurality of line-shaped wires P10 made of Al and extending in a y direction are arranged at spaces S in an x direction is provided in the wire-grid region 1A of the substrate 1S, and a pattern (repetitive pattern) in which a plurality of protruding portions P20 made of Al are arranged is provided in the peripheral region 2A. This pattern is, for example, a checkerboard pattern. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the plurality of wires P10 can be arranged so that their respective ends are spaced apart from an end of the substrate 1S, so that the wires P10 can be prevented from being deformed and nicked. Also, by the plurality of protruding portions P20 in the peripheral region 2A, it is possible to prevent water from entering the wire-grid region 1A.