Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Built between 1609-1616, this impressive mosque has six minarets. Why is it called "Blue Mosque?" There are two stories: the first, more common one is that the interior is covered in Blue İznik tiles. The second is: many years ago, ancient sailors who sailed by the mosque on the Marmara Sea saw the blue colors of the sea reflected in the mosque.
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Sultanahmet
With so many unmissable attractions within a mere stroll of each other – and all set around the site of an ancient Byzantine hippodrome – Sultanahmet is an overwhelmingly popular tourist destination, and a prime location for visitors to be wowed on a truly epic scale. Beyond the wonders of the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and more, this relatively small area of Istanbul somehow manages to retain an air of peace and calm. It offers visitors a significantly less celebrated but nonetheless pleasant network of quaint lanes and side streets, majestic panoramas of the Bosphorus, and an impressive assortment of accommodation options for all budgets and tastes.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Deanosaur89
Edmonton, Canada9,398 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
This mosque is grand and is impressive inside and out. The Hagia Sophia is nearby and is a very interesting building but the Blue Mosque was constructed as a mosque and you can tell a lot of time and effort went into its design and construction.
Entrance is currently free for all people but you have to be respectful of their rules. Entrance to worshippers is on the north side and non-worshippers must go to the south side. You must dress conservatively here so pants, shoulders covered and a head scarf for women. There is a couple of bottle necks to enter the mosque for non-worshippers including a queue and a small doorway where you have to remove your shoes. There are staff that will check to make sure you remove your shoes and inspect women for head coverings. It is important to note that they will close during prayer time and the biggest closure is during the Friday prayer.
Once inside there are plenty of shelves to put your shoes and you can stay as long as you like to appreciate the interior. There are free information centres inside the mosque that explain the religion as well as an exhibition in the courtyard that explains the history of Islam and Muslim contributions to the world. We got some really good pictures of the mosque from the inner courtyard. It is a tourist hotspot but I was sad to see large tour groups going in and guides blocking certain areas instead of just allowing people to enjoy the visit.
There are a ton of attractions in the area including monuments from Roman times and museums with artifacts from all eras of Istanbul and Constantinople. The area is very walkable and there are a lot of shops and restaurants nearby. It gets very busy midday so it is best to get there early for the best experience and if you want to avoid the crowds. There are trams and busses that frequent the area.
I found myself in the area a few times during my visit to Istanbul and felt seeing the Blue Mosque at night was also worth seeing if you're in the area. I found the pictures I took did not do it justice and it looked much nicer in person.
Entrance is currently free for all people but you have to be respectful of their rules. Entrance to worshippers is on the north side and non-worshippers must go to the south side. You must dress conservatively here so pants, shoulders covered and a head scarf for women. There is a couple of bottle necks to enter the mosque for non-worshippers including a queue and a small doorway where you have to remove your shoes. There are staff that will check to make sure you remove your shoes and inspect women for head coverings. It is important to note that they will close during prayer time and the biggest closure is during the Friday prayer.
Once inside there are plenty of shelves to put your shoes and you can stay as long as you like to appreciate the interior. There are free information centres inside the mosque that explain the religion as well as an exhibition in the courtyard that explains the history of Islam and Muslim contributions to the world. We got some really good pictures of the mosque from the inner courtyard. It is a tourist hotspot but I was sad to see large tour groups going in and guides blocking certain areas instead of just allowing people to enjoy the visit.
There are a ton of attractions in the area including monuments from Roman times and museums with artifacts from all eras of Istanbul and Constantinople. The area is very walkable and there are a lot of shops and restaurants nearby. It gets very busy midday so it is best to get there early for the best experience and if you want to avoid the crowds. There are trams and busses that frequent the area.
I found myself in the area a few times during my visit to Istanbul and felt seeing the Blue Mosque at night was also worth seeing if you're in the area. I found the pictures I took did not do it justice and it looked much nicer in person.
Written January 11, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Igor_Luanne
Giubiasco, Switzerland1,628 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
When staying in Istanbul the Blue Mosque must be part of the itinerary, it is really worth a visit. It's magnificent and sumptuous. Admission is free! To understand the contours, a guide is appropriate.
Advice:
- Go in the morning just before or after opening you will avoid exhausting queues
- Check prayer times to avoid not being able to enter
- Combine the visit of the Mosque with the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, they are all in the area
Advice:
- Go in the morning just before or after opening you will avoid exhausting queues
- Check prayer times to avoid not being able to enter
- Combine the visit of the Mosque with the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, they are all in the area
Automatically translated
Written November 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tarzan2613
Oakland, CA188 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
This is a lovely and HUGE mosque. It is free to enter, you will walk past many informational posters about Islam. This is not heavy handed. You ladies will need a head scarf to go inside. They also close a few times a day during prayer times--which are posted outside so you know when you can and can't go in.
The lines seem like it will take forever to get in, but the line went very quickly and by the time we got done taking pictures of the outside it was time to go in.
As far as size, it's equally as big as the Hagia Sofia (but much younger). The decorations, tile and stained glass are beautiful
The lines seem like it will take forever to get in, but the line went very quickly and by the time we got done taking pictures of the outside it was time to go in.
As far as size, it's equally as big as the Hagia Sofia (but much younger). The decorations, tile and stained glass are beautiful
Written January 16, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DorsetDarcy
Dorset125 contributions
Dec 2024 • Friends
Magnificent. The blueness of this mosque has unfortunately acquired iconic status. It’s not blue inside or out, as you can see from the photo gallery and it’s actually called the Sultanahmet Mosque. Whatever, it’s well worth seeing for its beautiful painted dome (paintwork is not original) and the harmony of its structure.
It’s free to enter and when we went in December there was no queue to get in.
If you want to see a genuinely blue mosque you need to get down to the tiled Rustem Pasha mosque close to the Egyptian Bazaar. You’ll need binoculars to appreciate the tiles in this mosque.
It’s free to enter and when we went in December there was no queue to get in.
If you want to see a genuinely blue mosque you need to get down to the tiled Rustem Pasha mosque close to the Egyptian Bazaar. You’ll need binoculars to appreciate the tiles in this mosque.
Written December 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wei Bing L
Ipoh, Malaysia469 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
My Uncle & I visited Istanbul for the very first time in June 2024. We visited many tourist attractions, including a number of mosques, around Istanbul and this is our favorite tourist attraction here. The interior of this mosque is even more beautiful in real life than any photo or video on Youtube could ever tell! Admission is free, the mosque is closed to visitors during the 5 different prayer sessions each day. You can check the prayer times on Google. The prayer sessions last for around an hour, so if you happen to arrive during a prayer session, just stroll around outside the mosque until it re-opens to visitors.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All visitors, Muslim & Non-Muslim, are required to cover up their shoulders and knees before being allowed to enter any mosques in Istanbul. Females have to cover their hair with a scarf or shawl. I advise you to bring your own scarves or shawls, as those available for loan have been used by HUNDREDS of people before you and are filthy.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All visitors, Muslim & Non-Muslim, are required to cover up their shoulders and knees before being allowed to enter any mosques in Istanbul. Females have to cover their hair with a scarf or shawl. I advise you to bring your own scarves or shawls, as those available for loan have been used by HUNDREDS of people before you and are filthy.
Written July 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NickSidd
45 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Definitely worth the visit if you are in Istanbul. I would recommend visiting the Hagia Sophia first to be able to compare the two as the Blue Mosque is seen a more purer / true mosque.
The mosque is free to enter but I would recommend going with a guide as they give you a bit of history and background on the architecture, colors used and the reason for their being 6 towers.
You should be able to get a guide with one of the many tourist passes available online.
The experience is around 45 - 60 minutes and is worth the visit to experience the sheer greatness of the mosque and the level of detail that went into building it.
The mosque is free to enter but I would recommend going with a guide as they give you a bit of history and background on the architecture, colors used and the reason for their being 6 towers.
You should be able to get a guide with one of the many tourist passes available online.
The experience is around 45 - 60 minutes and is worth the visit to experience the sheer greatness of the mosque and the level of detail that went into building it.
Written September 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LastMinuteLarry
482 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Incredible place and very ornate wherever you look, both inside and out - shame about the essential maintenance work. In our opinion it is worth around 1 hour visit after queuing, The trick here is to go either early or late and avoid peak times when annoying large tour groups swamp the place. Although entry is free, it's only right to leave a donation you are comfortable with, to help them with finances. We intended to visit Hagia Sophia too, but there is now a ridiculous entry fee of €25, which disappointed a lot of people when they arrived.
Written May 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shoshiwoshi
Iasi, Romania38 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Try to time your visit for as early as you can in the day, as it gets incredibly crowded and not all visitors are respectful of the place or the culture, which can spoil your mood.
I strongly recommend the brief, complimentary, and informative 'introduction to Islam' lecture offered in the small building attached to the mosque (the former kindergarten in the Sultan's days). The Islamic scholar who will give you about a 40-minute lecture/presentation is extremely welcoming, open-minded and hospitable, and it really put the entire site into perspective.
Our time with her ended up being one of our favorite experiences in our 4 days in Istanbul! She was so knowledgeable and tolerant, and full of insights on cultural and religious commonalities that we share. A true force for international understanding.
I strongly recommend the brief, complimentary, and informative 'introduction to Islam' lecture offered in the small building attached to the mosque (the former kindergarten in the Sultan's days). The Islamic scholar who will give you about a 40-minute lecture/presentation is extremely welcoming, open-minded and hospitable, and it really put the entire site into perspective.
Our time with her ended up being one of our favorite experiences in our 4 days in Istanbul! She was so knowledgeable and tolerant, and full of insights on cultural and religious commonalities that we share. A true force for international understanding.
Written November 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara P
Rome, Italy112 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
One of the must-see places in Istanbul is to see. The entrance is free you do a little 'line to enter but it is worth it and you do not pay, remember that it is a mosque so you must dress accordingly no shorts and tank tops (shoulders covered and pants below the knee) women must wear a scarf to cover the head in case you are without them give you free skirts and scarves (but they have already been used). The shoes should be removed and put in special shoe racks at the entrance Recommendation to bring a pair of socks if turned with sandals so as not to have to walk barefoot like most visitors. The interior is not very large c there is a fence that prevents you from taking advantage of all the space left to the faithful to pray. Outside the flies there are bathrooms with an indoor garden and fountains for washing feet, very clean.
Automatically translated
Written July 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Poisonivyjc
Calgary, Canada988 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
This mosque is FREE to enter when they are not praying. You need to remove your shoes and wear a head dress if you are female. The tile work is beautiful!! Definetly worth visiting. They do ask for donations upon exiting.
Written January 10, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1) Is the women's section open for all 5 daily prayers, particularly for Ramadhan?
2) Can people stay to continue worship after the designated prayers times, even once the mosque is reopened to visitors? Eg.If I came for Fajr prayer, can I stay to worship for a few more hours in the women's section?
3) Does the mosque allow for those looking to perform the overnight worship during Ramadhan, particularly (Apart from Isha and Taraweeh)?
Written March 2, 2024
Do you know what's the price ticket for soultanahmet mah (mple tzami) and hagia Sophia ??? Is there something which worth to visit?
Thank you
Written February 29, 2024
Hi I think that Sultan Ahmad mosque is free of charge to visit but about Haya Sofia I am not sure but I think It was 60 TL at this time.
Written March 6, 2024
Hi. What time does the blue mosque open for visiting?
Regards
Written June 14, 2022
Подскажите как сейчас на выходных днях с карантином обстановка? Есть ли смысл на выходные ехать?
Written December 6, 2020
Gitme imkanınız varsa elbette gidin.SultanAhmet sadece Camii değil,bölge.Meydan-Camii-Ayasofya-Alman çeşmesi-yere batan saray-dikilitaşlar-tarihi yerler o bölgede.1 km çevrede,Topkapı sarayı-Gülhane parkı-Çemberlitaş ve kapalı çarşı var.Mutlaka gidin,turistlere serbest,karantina önemsiz.
Written December 6, 2020
Sultanahmet camisi 10 dakika,ancak bölge,turizmin merkezi,günler lazım.gülhane parkı,topkapı sarayı,sultanahmet cami,külliyeler,alman çeşmesi,çemberlitaş,yere batan saray,2 dikilitaş,diğer camiler,ayasofya,kapalı çarşı,ve daha birçok yer bu bölgede.önünden tramvay geçiyor.editörünü gezip binin,gülhane inin,yürümeye başlayın,sultanahmet bölgesine.
Written August 4, 2020
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