ABU DHABI -Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi has ranked first in the “Top Attractions” category in the UAE in Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best. The Dubai-to-Abu Dhabi experience, which includes Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan and Etihad Towers, also ranked first in the “Top Experiences” category across the Middle East.
The achievement reflects the appeal of the UAE’s tourism and cultural destinations and the diverse experiences they offer visitors. It also reinforces Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s position as a global cultural destination, combining Islamic architectural masterpieces with cultural and educational content that introduces visitors to Emirati culture and the values of tolerance and coexistence.
The latest recognition builds on the mosque’s strong performance in Tripadvisor rankings in previous years. The awards are based on reviews and opinions submitted by travellers over 12 months.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre provides an integrated cultural, educational and leisure experience designed to enrich and extend visitors’ time at the destination.
Its facilities include the “Dome of Peace”, which houses exhibition spaces, a theatre and Al Jami’ Library, alongside the “Light & Peace Museum” and the immersive “Diya – A Universe of Light” experience.
Souq Al Jami’ also offers shops, restaurants, and recreational facilities for different age groups, while the mosque’s jogging track attracts community members from diverse backgrounds.
These facilities complement the mosque’s religious and cultural programmes, exhibitions and initiatives, further enriching the visitor experience and strengthening its standing as a global cultural destination.
Background and significance of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Conceived by the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the mosque was intended to embody the moderation of Islam and serve as a unifying symbol for the Muslim world through architecture and art. Initial planning began in the late 1980s, construction started on 5 November 1996, and the complex opened for worship during Eid Al Adha in 2007, later inaugurated in December 2007.
Built on elevated land covering more than 555,000 square metres on Abu Dhabi’s outskirts, the mosque can accommodate around 40,000–55,000 worshippers across its prayer halls and courtyards, with the main hall alone holding about 7,000–10,000. Its design blends Mamluk, Ottoman, Moorish, Andalusian, Fatimid and Mughal influences with modern elements, using artisans and materials from across the world, including Italy, Germany, Morocco, India, Turkey, China, the UK, New Zealand and Greece.
Managed by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, established in 2008, the site also houses the founder’s mausoleum and runs round-the-clock Quran recitation, cultural programmes and educational initiatives to promote tolerance and cross-cultural dialogue. In the first half of 2026 alone, the centre welcomed 3.12 million guests, 78% of them from outside the UAE, with India leading by country, followed by China, Russia, the US and Germany.
