Provided is a polarizing element in which a desired polarization characteristics are achieved and the transmissivity is also good. The polarizing element comprises: a substrate transparent to light having a bandwidth to be used; and a grid pattern made of a translucent material and configured such that a plurality of projection portions continuous in one in-plane direction of said substrate are formed on a surface of the substrate at a pitch smaller than a wavelength of light having a bandwidth to be used, wherein each of the projection portions includes a base portion with a rectangular cross-section and a tapered surface portion formed at a top of the base portion, a fine particle layer made of an inorganic material is laminated on at least one surface of said tapered surface portion, and the fine particle layer does not protrude over a side face of the base portion.