Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

A mosque with wow-factor
Word to the wise: The mosque advises visitors to wear conservative clothing, such as long trousers and loose clothing.

Noteworthy for: The main prayer hall houses what is possibly the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet, an exquisite Iranian import.
Talk of the town: Roughly 30 different types of marble were used to construct the mosque.

The Grand Mosque truly lives up to its name. This behemoth is one of the world’s largest mosques and cost nearly AED 2 billion to complete. It was the brainchild of the UAE’s first president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and was completed in 2004, just after his death.

With space for over 40,000 worshippers, it's decked out with 82 white-marble domes, an ornate 17,000 sq m marble courtyard and gold chandeliers that sparkle with the light of millions of Swarovski crystals. Other treasures are too numerous to name but the mosque gives free guided tours to anyone who’s dressed appropriately.