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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque CentervsQasr Al Hosn
Both are recommended by travel writers. Overall, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center ranks significantly better than Qasr Al Hosn. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center comes in at 92 with approval from 7 sources such as The Telegraph, Frommer's and Travel + Leisure.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center
Frommer's
Lonely Planet Lonely Planet Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Atlas Obscura
The Telegraph
Independent Independent Independent
Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
From $0/night
Frommer's "The Grand Mosque gets its name for a reason: It's the third-largest mosque in the world (the first two are in Saudi Arabia), and it has enough marble, gold, and silver to make the Taj Mahal jealous." Full review
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Be sure to take your camera and dress modestly (if need be, the ladies near the shoe lockers can loan you a long dress and a headscarf something).
Lonely Planet Top Choice
"Conceived by the first president of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed, and marking his final resting place, the mosque accommodates 41,000 worshippers and is one of the few in the region open to non-Muslims." Full review
Lonely Planet Top Choice
"Part of the magic of the collection is its location in the mosque's minaret, giving an aerial view of the mosque's magnificent domes and the city and outlying islands beyond.
" Full review
Lonely Planet Top Choice
"Its curvilinear form is reminiscent of sand dunes, and at night the lighting scheme gives a sense that the dunes are on the move." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Completed in 2007 after 11 years of construction, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is among the United Arab Emirate's most impressive and striking structures." Full review
Atlas Obscura "Whitewashed mosque contains the world's largest carpet. " Full review
The Telegraph "Even for people with little interest in religion, this landmark building is worth visiting for the architecture alone." Full review
Independent "The dramatic Islamic architecture of Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque holds appeal for both history buffs and worshippers, as its 55,000 daily visitors can attest"
The F1 guide to visiting Abu Dhabi
December 16, 2022
Independent "The marble-domed Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the ultimate expression of the Muslim faith: reverent, dignified and enlightening"
Independent "It has space for 40,000 worshippers. An elegant showcase of Islamic architecture, it has several intricate design elements, including marbled halls, tiled mosaics, calligraphy and large ornate domes."
8 of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi
August 17, 2023
Qasr Al Hosn Lonely Planet The Telegraph
Condé Nast Traveler Independent
2nd Street & Hamdan Streets, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
From $0/night
Lonely Planet "Featured on the back of the Dh1000 note, this iconic fort started life in 1760 as a watchtower that safeguarded a precious freshwater well." Full review
The Telegraph "Abu Dhabi’s oldest building is directly linked to the city’s extraordinary development, having started life as a coral and sea stone watchtower built by the Bani Yas tribes in Abu Dhabi." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Qasr Al Hosn is one of the city's most significant landmarks...this is a must-visit for travelers who want a closer look at Abu Dhabi's history, architecture, and culture. " Full review
Independent "The pre-oil boom Qasr Al-Hosn, is a chess-piece fort built in 1761 and the oldest stone building in the UAE. Poke about its watchtower and courtyard"
