Top 10 Islamic Landmarks Must-Visit Sites for Every Traveler

Islamic Heritage sites are distributed worldwide, even in the most unexpected places. Traveling and visiting the world's best Islamic landmarks can introduce you to the tenets of Islam through learning about Islam's history and heritage as well as immersing yourself in architectural masterpieces. 

Here is a list of 10 Islamic world heritage sites you must visit:

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, UAE

Located in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the country and one of the largest mosques in the world. It features 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, 24-karat gold chandeliers, and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet. The mosque is big enough to accommodate over 40,000 visitors as the complex covers over 22,400 square meters.

Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar

The Museum of Islamic Art on one end of the seven-kilometer-long Corniche in Doha is focused on art from the Arab world. It houses one of the world's most comprehensive collections of Islamic art from three continents created over 1,400 years.

Dome of the Rock, Palestine

Located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, a site also known to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Compound, the Dome of the Rock was built between 685 and 692 AD by Abd al-Malik. It marks a period in Islamic history when the message was in its youth. It is revered by most Muslims as the spot where Isra and Miraj took place.

Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, Egypt

Muhammad Ali Mosque is situated on the summit of the Citadel of Cairo and was commissioned by the ruler of Egypt Muhammad Ali Pasha between 1830 and 1848 AD to be a place of worship and his resting place. This Ottoman mosque is the largest to be built in the first half of the 19th century.

Hassan II Mosque, Morocco

Hassan II Mosque is the largest mosque in Morocco and stands majestically in the largest city of Morocco, Casablanca. It has been a point of interest for many visitors and is known to be home to the tallest minaret in the world. Sitting on the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean, the mosque overlooks the sea majestically.

Hagia Sophia, Turkey

Hagia Sophia is a major historical monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Istanbul. It stands out as one of the greatest testaments to the power of the Ottoman Empire. Originally built to serve as a cathedral by the Greek Orthodox church in 360 AD, the Hagia Sophia was later converted into a mosque, then a museum, and then in 2020, the Turkish government decided it was time to pray again in Hagia Sophia for the first time in 86 years.  

Alhambra Palace, Spain

Considered by some as the eighth wonder of the world, the Alhambra Palace is a representation of one of the finest pieces of Islamic art and architecture. As well as being Spain's most visited historical attraction, attracting two million visitors each year, many of whom are Muslims. It marks an important period in Islamic history, the Golden Age of Islam when the southern part of Europe was under Islamic dominion; it's known as Andalusia. 

Jama Masjid, India 

Known as the largest mosque in India, the imposing Jama Masjid of Delhi boasts a courtyard that can accommodate up to 25,000 visitors. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal, and inaugurated by its first Imam, Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari. The mosque's construction began in 1644 and was completed by 1656 AD. It was the primary mosque for the city's sizeable Muslim population as well as the Mughal emperors until the mid-19th century. 

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia 

Located in Kuala Lumpur and officially opened in 1998, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia is regarded as Southeast Asia's largest museum of Islamic art. It gives visitors an insight into Islam through its global collection of Islamic Art. The museum showcases early copies of the Qur'an and Hadith books.

Kampong Gelam, Singapore

Kampong Gelam is one of Singapore's oldest districts. It was known as the Muslim quarter as it was also home to the Sultan of Johore and was thriving with a huge community of Muslim traders. The imposing Sultan Mosque, known as Singapore's biggest mosque, is a constant reminder of the district's history. The mosque was built in 1824 AD by Sultan Hussein Shah. 

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