Tripadvisor names Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque 'one of world's most talked about attractions'

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which welcomed 4.685 million visitors and worshippers in 2012, joined a line-up of 16 global attractions to make the list, which also included Sydney Harbour, Australia; The Colosseum in Rome, Italy; The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France; Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa; and Central Park in New York, USA.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, rated number one in Abu Dhabi's' 'Things To Do' is one the world's most impressive modern Islamic architectural masterpieces, is ranked Abu Dhabi's leading attraction by TripAdvisor users, notching up more than 1,400 top ranked reviews. One user said it was 'a vision that would last a lifetime' whilst another added that in '30 years of travel, it was the most beautiful building they had ever seen'.

To be included in a list of some of the world's most renowned attractions, and to be voted there by our visitors, is significant recognition of both the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's beauty, the work of everyone involved in promoting it, and the appreciation of the culture of Abu Dhabi," said Mr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center (SZGMC).

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has rightly earned a reputation as a 'must do attraction' for the large numbers of international and domestic tourists visiting the emirate. As an Islamic architectural masterpiece and significant cultural attraction in the region, it offers visitors a unique insight into the arts, architecture and local culture. In addition to the comprehensive visitor programs, the SZGMC offers several services and activities supporting cross cultural communication including an annual photography competition 'Spaces of Light', which attracts entries from all over the world, travelers and residents alike; and a unique library, featuring books and manuscripts dedicated to the arts and architecture of the Islamic world in approximately fourteen languages!

The SZGMC provides a range of services to facilitate the visitor experience, to ensure a comfortable and memorable cultural experience for both visitors and worshippers alike. The SZGMC offers complimentary guided tours by UAE national professional guides, who lead tours for visitors daily offering insights into the construction of the architecture, its founder, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may God rest his Soul) and the Islamic culture of the building.

Featuring 82 domes, over a 1,000 columns, 24 carat gold gilded chandeliers and the world's largest hand knotted carpet, the mosque's main prayer hall is also dominated by one of the world's largest chandeliers -10 metres in diameter, 15 metres in height and weighing twelve tonnes. The mosque was opened for worship and visitors since Eid Al Adha of 2007, which was in December.

Reflective pools surround the mosque, amplifying its beauty. The striking white and gold colours shining in the sun are transformed at night by a unique lightning system which reflects the phases of the moon.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is open daily to visitors, except on Friday morning, which is for worshippers only. Complimentary one hour guided tours run (Sun-Thurs) at 10am, 11am and 4.30 / 5pm. Friday times are 4.30 / 5pm and 7.30 /8pm and Saturday 10am, 11am, 2pm, 4.30 /5pm and 7.30 / 8pm.