The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Turkish: Sultanahmet Camii) is Istanbul's great imperial mosque, built for Sultan Ahmed I between 1609 and 1616 and famous for its rare six minarets and the more than 20,000 blue İznik tiles that line its interior. Facing Hagia Sophia across Sultanahmet Square, it forms part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Areas of Istanbul. After a five-to-six-year restoration it reopened for worship in April 2023, and as of 2026 the scaffolding is gone and the mosque can be seen in full. It remains an active place of worship, so entry is free but tourist visits pause during prayer times.
The cascading domes and the skyline of six minarets, a rarity among mosques
More than 20,000 blue İznik tiles and light streaming through some 260 windows
The vast central dome (about 27.5 m across) and the mystical mood created by the stained glass
The face-to-face pairing with Hagia Sophia across Sultanahmet Square
The hand-woven carpeted prayer hall beneath an enormous iron chandelier
Good to know
RulesModest dress is required: shoulders and knees covered for everyone, and women cover their hair with a scarf (free loaners at the entrance). Shoes must be removed and carried in the plastic bag provided.
RulesTourist visits stop during the five daily prayers (from about 30–45 minutes before the call to prayer) and on Friday mornings until roughly 14:30. Enter through the designated visitors' entrance; opening is generally around 08:30, but confirm current times.
MannersKeep quiet inside, no flash photography, and don't photograph worshippers head-on. The prayer area is for those praying first.
CautionBeware touts near the entrance who hand you a 'free' guide or scarf and then demand money, or who claim the mosque is 'closed' and steer you toward a carpet shop or tour. Entry is free, so anyone selling an 'entry ticket' is a scam.
SafetySultanahmet Square and the T1 tram get crowded with tourists; keep bags and phones in front of you to guard against pickpockets.
SeasonJuly and August are very hot and extremely crowded with long queues; arriving right at opening or in the late afternoon is far more comfortable. During Ramadan, prayers and events can add visiting restrictions, so check ahead.
Practical info
It's about a 3-minute walk from the 'Sultanahmet' stop on the T1 tram, and an İstanbulkart makes public transport easy. Entry is free with no ticket (donation boxes at the exit are optional); confirm the latest opening hours and prayer-time closures before you go.
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