Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque named as one of the top 25 world landmarks

TripAdvisor has ranked Abu Dhabi's famed mosque with the likes of Peru's Machu Picchu, India's Taj Mahal and San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi has been ranked as one of the top landmarks in the world. AFP / Karim Sahib

ABU DHABI // The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi has been ranked as one of the top 25 landmarks in the world.

The mosque took 13th place in Trip-Advisor’s 2013 Travellers’ Choice Awards.

Peru’s Machu Picchu won first place on a list that also includes India’s Taj Mahal and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

“This is particularly pleasing as the rankings are solely based on reviews and recommendations by the vast TripAdvisor travelling community, confirming its place as one of the most important cultural tourism destinations,” said Yousif Al Obaidli, director general of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre.

TripAdvisor also recently named the Grand Mosque “one of the world’s most talked-about attractions”.

Last year, the mosque attracted 4.7 million visitors from across the globe. Tens of thousands of worshippers and tourists are expected to visit during Ramadan and Eid.

Opening times have been extended for the holy month, from 9am to 2pm, and free guided tours take place daily between 10am and 11am, apart from Fridays.

“Our tours are led by one of our official tourist guides and the interactive tours provide information about the mosque and its architecture, and there is plenty of opportunity for visitors to ask questions,” Mr Al Obaidli said.

“Ramadan is a special time of the year and we encourage our visitors to take a guided tour and experience the Islamic culture of the mosque.”