Sacred Mosques Around the World
15 remarkable mosques revered by believers and admired by travelers.
This guide lists 15 sacred sites in the world's mosques , connected to 2 spiritual traditions: Islam, Christianity. 9 of them belong to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Each guide covers history, what to see, dress code, opening hours and the best time to visit.
Sacred sites in the world's mosques
Al-Azhar Mosque, Cairo
Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, founded in 970 CE, is one of the oldest centers of Islamic learning. Visit its courtyards and minarets in Islamic Cairo.
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Medina
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina, the Prophet's Mosque, holds the tomb of Muhammad. A key pilgrimage stop; the central holy area is for Muslims only.
Badshahi Mosque, Lahore
Visit the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Aurangzeb's vast red sandstone Mughal mosque facing the Lahore Fort, with visiting hours, dress code and travel tips.
Great Mosque of Djenné
The Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali is the largest mud brick building in the world, renewed each year by the whole town in the Crépissage festival.
Great Mosque of Kairouan
The Great Mosque of Kairouan, founded in 670 CE, is among the oldest mosques in North Africa and a model for mosques across the Maghreb.
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
Hagia Sophia in Istanbul was for centuries the greatest church of Christendom, later a mosque and museum. Today it is a mosque open to visitors.
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca stands over the Atlantic with a 210 m minaret. It is one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim tours.
Hukuru Miskiy (Old Friday Mosque), Malé
Visit Hukuru Miskiy in Malé, the coral stone Old Friday Mosque of the Maldives with carved lacquer interiors, plus permission, dress and timing tips.
Jama Masjid, Delhi
Visit Jama Masjid in Old Delhi, India's grand Mughal mosque built by Shah Jahan, with minaret views, prayer times, dress rules and visiting tips.
Masjid al-Haram and the Kaaba, Mecca
Masjid al-Haram in Mecca surrounds the Kaaba, the focus of Islamic prayer and the Hajj pilgrimage. Entry to Mecca is restricted to Muslims only.
Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba
Visit the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, a forest of red and white arches from Umayyad al-Andalus with a Renaissance cathedral built at its heart.
Sankore Mosque, Timbuktu
Sankore Mosque in Timbuktu was the heart of a famed university of Islamic learning. Discover the earthen mosques and manuscripts of Mali.
Sixty Dome Mosque, Bagerhat
Visit the Sixty Dome Mosque in Bagerhat, Bangladesh, a 15th century brick mosque in a UNESCO Mosque City near the Sundarbans, with travel and dress tips.
Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul
Visit the Süleymaniye Mosque on Istanbul's European side, Mimar Sinan's Ottoman masterpiece and the tomb of Suleiman the Magnificent.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), Istanbul
Visit the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, the Blue Mosque, with six minarets and Iznik tiles. A working mosque open to respectful visitors.