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An Insider's Guide to Istanbul

BLUE MOSQUE (Istanbul) Opening Hours [Updated 2024]

20 May 2024 by Serhat Engul

The Sultanahmet district, which houses the famous historical buildings of Istanbul, takes its name from this mosque built by the Sultan Ahmed. The Blue Mosque is adjacent to the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace , which are among the most important structures in Istanbul’s history, and welcomes millions of visitors every year.

The original name of the mosque is the Sultanahmet Mosque. However, because the most distinctive color in the interior decoration is blue, it is known as the Blue Mosque in the world. Iznik tiles decorating the mosque were produced in the period when the Ottoman art of pottery reached its peak.

The history, architecture, opening hours and dress code of the Blue Mosque are among the things that tourists are most curious about. In this article, you can find all this information about Blue Mosque, the most visited mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

To fully learn the 400-year history of the Blue Mosque, it is highly recommended that you visit this place with a guide. Combined guided tour tickets for the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia , the most iconic structures of Istanbul, can be purchased from this link . This is Istanbul’s best-selling and highest-rated tour.

Table of Contents

History of The Blue Mosque

The history of the Blue Mosque goes back 400 years. Built between 1609 and 1616, the mosque is one of the most beautiful works of classical architecture of the Ottoman Empire. It was built by Sedefkar Mehmed Agha , a student of Mimar Sinan, the most important architect in Ottoman history.

The Blue Mosque stands out as one of the last representatives of Classical Ottoman architecture . Built in the 1600s, the mosque bears the traces of traditional Turkish-Ottoman architecture. This architectural style, which started in Bursa , the first capital in Ottoman history, and matured in Edirne , reached its peak after the conquest of Istanbul .

In the 1700s, we see the effects of Westernization in Ottoman architecture. Influenced by the Neo-Classical and Baroque movements in Europe, the Ottomans started to build European style palaces and mosques. This process started with Nuruosmaniye Mosque and accelerated with Dolmabahce and Ortakoy Mosques in the 1800s.

Blue Mosque Architecture

The architecture of the Blue Mosque was designed by the palace architect Sedefkar Mehmed Agha . Mehmed Agha supported the central dome of the Blue Mosque with four half domes and many quarter domes. The elegance of these domes gives an exquisite look from the outside. Domes descending from the central dome towards the walls are very aesthetic.

Sedefkar Mehmed Aga, who grew up next to Mimar Sinan, the most famous architect in Ottoman history, took the art of his teacher as an example. While building the Blue Mosque, he was inspired by the Sehzade Mosque (also known as Prince Mosque), one of Sinan’s works and added his own interpretation on it.

The Blue Mosque has six minarets unlike other Ottoman mosques in Istanbul. The number of minarets, usually 2 or 4, was increased to six here. Sultan Ahmed I wanted to build a structure that could compete with Hagia Sophia , which was originally a church, and increased the grandeur of the Blue Mosque.

Interior of the Blue Mosque

The most striking architectural feature of the Blue Mosque is the giant columns inside the mosque. These columns are placed to support the central dome is called “Elephant Legs”.

In order to make these giant columns look beautiful to the eye, they are covered with marbles and decorated with pencil works. Decoration starts from the top of the columns and extends to the dome through arches and gives a sense of integrity.

The interior of the Blue mosque was extended to the sides and gained depth thanks to the half and quarter domes. When viewed from the outside, these half-domes that descend from the top give the mosque a unique appearance.

Despite all this majesty, the Blue Mosque is not the largest Ottoman mosque in Istanbul. It is smaller than the Suleymaniye Mosque built by Mimar Sinan. However, it’s the most visited mosque due to its central location.

Blue Mosque Opening Hours 2024

Istanbul Blue Mosque opening hours  are between 08:30 in the morning and 18:30 in the evening in as of May 2024. However, the mosque is closed during prayer times. I took the above picture a few months ago, but it is out of date now because times change so frequently.

There is a chart showing the current opening hours in the courtyard of the mosque. However, if you want to know the times before going to the mosque, you can also check the current prayer times from this official site . The mosque closes one hour before the prayer time and opens half an hour after the prayer takes place.

The best time to visit the Blue Mosque is in the morning. If you go to the mosque at 08:30 in the morning, you can easily visit the mosque before the crowds arrive. Considering the whole day, the best visiting hours are between 08:30 and 12:00.

If you would like to join the guided group tour for Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia , you can make a reservation for a combined ticket from this link . This tour is guaranteed by GetYourGuide and is one of the highest-rated activities in the city.

Blue Mosque Entrance Fee 2024

By the way, it should be noted that there is no entrance fee for the Blue Mosque . Visiting the Blue Mosque is free as in other mosques in Istanbul. However, if you wish, you can still donate to the mosque on the way out. Donations are accepted in the small office that you will see before leaving the mosque.

Dress Code of the Blue Mosque

There is a dress code when visiting the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. It is better to bring a scarf with you as women are required to cover their heads. However, even if you would forget, it is not a big problem. Because you can borrow scarves from the kiosk in the courtyard of the mosque.

Women can borrow scarves and skirts at the entrance of the mosque. Likewise, men wearing shorts are given a piece of cloth to wrap around their waist. You can return them to the kiosk after use and walk around in your summer clothes for the rest of your day.

Blue Mosque Restoration Status in 2024

The Blue Mosque underwent a long and detailed restoration between 2015 and 2023. Although there are still partial restoration works as of the first months of 2024, the main dome of the mosque and most of its tiles can be seen.

As of January 2024, most of the tiles on the walls have been covered with plaster again and maintenance is being carried out. However, this partial restoration does not affect the overall mosque experience.

Things to Do around Blue Mosque

There are many things to do around the Blue Mosque . After leaving the mosque, you can explore the centuries-old bazaars, visit interesting museums and even enjoy a Turkish bath in a historical hammam.

1. Arasta Bazaaar

Arasta Bazaar is almost similar to the other two famous bazaars of the city, Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar . However, it is an open market with spacious streets. You can easily reach the bazaar from the courtyard of the mosque.

When a mosque was built in the Ottoman period, a bazaar was built right next to it. The maintenance costs of the mosque were covered by the rent collected from the shops in this bazaar. Arasta Bazaar is a place that keeps this tradition alive.

Inside the Arasta Bazaar is the Great Palace Mosaics Museum , one of the lesser known museums of Istanbul. Floor mosaics from the Great Palace of the Roman emperors can be seen in this museum.

2. Hippodrome

Hippodrome is one of the rare historical monuments from the Roman period in Istanbul. The Hippodrome was built by Emperor Constantine when Istanbul was declared the capital of the Roman Empire .

During the Byzantine period, chariot races were held here. The Hippodrome, the most important activity center of the city, was also a place where great rebellions started. Today, obelisks from that period can still be seen in the Sultanahmet Square (former Hippodrome).

3. Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum

Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum is actually a palace from the Ottoman period and is located very close to the mosque. The historical artifacts you will see in this museum complete your experience in the mosque.

Turkish and Islamic Art Museums have Turkish rugs from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. In addition, historical artifacts from the Caliphate period can be seen. There are also centuries-old handwritten Qurans.

4. Sultanahmet Park

Sultanahmet Park is right in the middle of the historical monuments in the district. Thanks to this park, you can take magnificent Instagram photos by taking historical monuments such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia behind you.

Basilica Cistern , one of the most mysterious museums of Istanbul , is located in the immediate vicinity of the park. Some scenes of the movie Inferno, based on Dan Brown’s novel, were shot here.

5. Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hammam

Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hammam is located in the large park between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Dating to the 16th century, the hamam was built by Hurrem Sultan, the wife of Sultan Suleiman.

After visiting the surrounding historical monuments, you can enjoy a Turkish bath in this hamam. Having a massage and scrub in the hammam will make you feel refreshed.

Blue Mosque is the jewel of Istanbul and is visited by an average of 3 million people a year. It is highly recommended that you visit this place with a guide to learn the history of the mosque. Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia combined tour tickets can be purchased via this link here .

Those who wonder which is the largest mosque in Istanbul can visit the Suleymaniye Mosque. The Suleymaniye Mosque is larger than the Blue Mosque, both as a structure and as additional buildings surrounding the mosque.

Most of the imperial mosques built during the Ottoman period were more than a place of worship. As in the Suleymaniye Mosque, there would be a madrasah (school), tomb, bazaar, hospital, Turkish bath and soup kitchen next to it.

However, since the Blue Mosque was located in the heart of the capital, it had less space compared to other imperial mosques. For this reason, there is only a madrasah , a tomb and a bazaar next to it. Therefore, it is small compared to the Suleymaniye Mosque complex.

About Serhat Engul

Hello, I'm Serhat Engul. I am a licensed tour guide living in Istanbul. I designed this blog to give general information to visitors to Istanbul. If you want to go on a private guided tour of Istanbul with me, you can check my references from the ABOUT section and write to me via the CONTACT page.

Reader Interactions

2 July 2022 at 04:13

Is the Basilica Cistern still closed?

2 July 2022 at 08:20

I heard something that Basilica Cistern will open after 15 July. However, no official announcement has been made yet. The restoration scaffolding at the entrance and exit doors of the cistern has been lifted and the final touches are being made.

11 January 2023 at 20:05

Hi …. We regularly come to Istanbul. We love it there. 😊… it will be excellent to see the blue mosque renovations completed. Do you know , are there any tours to other countries from Istanbul , like Egypt or Greece ? Thank you. O

16 January 2023 at 19:52

Hello Bilquis, I am glad that you love Istanbul so much and visit it again and again. Unfortunately, I don’t have a clear answer to your question.

Local agencies serving in Turkey organize tours to take Turks to countries such as Egypt and Greece. However, I do not think that this service is provided in foreign languages.

Outgoing tours going abroad from Turkey generally provide guidance in Turkish. Tours operating in a foreign language usually go from Istanbul to other cities of Turkey.

13 January 2023 at 08:45

Do you know when is planned the finish of the restoration inside the mosque?

16 January 2023 at 19:49

Hello Magda, unfortunately, there is no explanation about when the restoration will end yet. However, as of March, the mosque will be partially reopened to touristic visits.

The Blue Mosque has been under renovation since 2015 and was partially visitable. For example, the courtyard had been closed for years. In the interior, the walls were covered, but the dome was open.

22 January 2023 at 23:02

Has the Cistern Basilica reopened?

23 January 2023 at 10:26

Hello Cynthia, yes the renovation of the Basilica Cistern is finished. The cistern has been reopened to visitors since July 2022.

13 February 2023 at 16:36

Do you know what is the plan to finish the inside of the mosque? Do you know if the earthquake will impact the restoration?

14 February 2023 at 08:59

It is not certain when the restoration inside the Blue Mosque will be completed. The earthquake took place quite far from Istanbul and I don’t think it will affect the restoration.

13 February 2023 at 19:36

Is the Blue Mosque still scheduled to reopen to tourists on March 1, 2023?

Also, has any date been established for reopening the Chora Church?

14 February 2023 at 09:00

The Blue Mosque will be partially opened to tourist visits on March 1. However, some parts of it will not be seen for a while, as in recent years.

2 March 2023 at 15:04

Did the Blue Mosque open on March 1 and, if so, how much of it can be seen? Do you think significantly more of it will be able to be seen by April 1?

Also, do you know when the Chora Church is scheduled to reopen?

2 March 2023 at 16:49

Hi Gail, Blue Mosque was to open on March 1st according to the official statement. However, I haven’t had a chance to go and see it in person yet.

There is no explanation about the opening date of the Chora Church (aka Kariye Mosque). I don’t think it will open anytime soon.

2 March 2023 at 19:11

Will you let us know if you visit and if it’s open? We are planning on coming next week and will adjust our plans accordingly.

3 March 2023 at 08:27

Hi Mohammed, I will be there on Sunday (March 5). I will review the latest status of the mosque and note it here in the evening.

UPDATE (as of 5th of March): Unfortunately, the mosque has not been opened yet. The reopening has been postponed to April 21, 2023.

17 March 2023 at 14:28

Hi, Thanks you for your work. I’m visiting Istanbul on the 1st and 2nd of April and I was really hoping to visit the Blue Mosque. I’ve read your article – is it still close till the 23rd of April?

18 March 2023 at 08:59

Hi, according to the notice hanging on the door of the mosque, the Blue Mosque will remain closed until April 21, 2023. I mentioned this situation in the article and if there is a change, I will update the article.

However, it should be noted that April 21 is the expected opening date. Since the previous opening date was March 1 and has been postponed, the opening in April may also be delayed. If it opens in April, it will catch up with the Istanbul’s high tourist season.

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Guide to Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet: Tickets, Tours & History

Gracing the skyline of Istanbul, the Sultanahmet Mosque, better known as the Blue Mosque, is one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture.

The iconic landmark owes its nickname to the wealth of blue ceramic tiles that adorn the majestic interior.

Commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I, it was built by famous architect Sinan disciple Mehmet Ağa and opened for worship in 1616. The mosque has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 and is one of the most-visited attractions of the city.

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know before your visit, including the history, entrance and opening hours (check available tours with an expert guide at the Blue Mosque Here) .

Let’s start!

Buy Entrence Tickets & Tours to Blue Mosque

Ticket options for the blue mosque of istanbul.

Things to do at Blue Mosque

Standing directly across from the Hagia Sophia, the magnificent Blue Mosque looks as if it was designed to compete with it.

Famous for its architectural beauty and old history, the exceptional monument is one of the top attractions of Istanbul you shouldn't miss.

Below is an Overview of the Landmark’s Highlights:

1. Courtyard

The courtyard of the Blue Mosque is almost the same size as the building itself. You can enter it through one of the three large gates .

The complex consists of many buildings, including a medrese, a soup kitchen, a caravanserai, a fountain, a hospital, sales halls and mausoleums. Not all of these buildings could prevail to this day.

Worth seeing is the mausoleum of Sultan Ahmed I and his wife and three of his sons. After the completion of the mosque, the Sultan was able to enjoy the view of the Sultanahmet Mosque named after him for only a year.

There is also a sundial and lots of great photo opportunities .

2. Minarets

One distinctive feature of the structure are the six minarets . The Blue Mosque is the only mosque with six minarets ever built by the Ottomans.

It is said that they were the result of a misunderstanding between Sultan Ahmed I and the master builder Mehmet Ağa.

According to a saying, the Sultan had expressed his wish to have the minarets made of gold. The architect Mehmet Ağa misunderstood the Turkish word "altın" - for gold - as "altı" - the number 6, so he had six minarets built. The sultan then donated a seventh minaret to the al-Haram mosque in Mecca, making it once again the largest in Islam in terms of the number of its minarets. To this day, it is unclear whether the master builder considered the golden material too precious and whether the misunderstanding was intentional.

The elegant minarets still contribute to the silhouette and characteristic beauty of the city. 

Entrance, Tickets & Tours to Blue Mosque

• Entrance: Blue Mosque is open to visitors every day. Note that the Blue Mosque is an active place of worship, so it can only be visited outside of prayer times. You may not be allowed entry 30 minutes prior to prayer times and not until the afternoon on Friday’s prayer. You can check the prayer times here .
• Tickets: Entrance to the Blue Mosque is free of charge .
• Is the Istanbul Museum Card valid on this site? No, the Istanbul Museum Pass is not valid here.
• Guided Tours: Get a 45-minute guided tour of the Blue Mosque and the Sultanahmet Square to really understand the history that carries the area since centuries. Listen to fascinating stories about some of the city's oldest monuments, while your English speaking licensed guide shows you the sights from the outside.
• Travelers' Tips:  With the  City Passes  from Istanbul Welcome Card, you can save time & money when visiting museums and attractions in Istanbul and have a better experience with the included guided tours, travel tips, and exclusive discounts. You can choose between the  Deluxe Card , Premium Card  and Classic Card , as well as the Saver Combo Card , designed by travel experts to help you make the most of your travel experience in Istanbul.

How to get to the Blue Mosque?

From Sultanahmet: The Blue Mosque is situated on Sultanahmet Square in the Fatih district of Istanbul, just across the Hagia Sophia.

From Taksim: Take the funicular F1 to Kabataş. At Kabataş Station, take the tram T1 and go 7 stops to Sultanahmet Station.

Frequently Asked Questions about Blue Mosque

Where is the Blue Mosque in Turkey?

The Blue Mosque of Istanbul is located on the Sultanahmet Square in the Fatih district of Istanbul, just across the Hagia Sophia.

When was the Blue Mosque built?

The Blue Mosque was built under Sultan Ahmed I between 1609 and 1616.

Why is the Blue Mosque called blue?

The Sultanahmet Mosque is also called the Blue Mosque because of the more than 20,000 blue and white flower-shaped tiles that decorate the dome and the upper part of the walls.

Why is the Blue Mosque so famous?

The Blue Mosque is a UNESCO Heritage Site and considered to be a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. It is famous for its unique architectural style and its old history. Distinctive features are the six minarets and the blue Iznik tiles that adorn the stunning interior. Today, it is one of the most important landmarks of Istanbul and one of the must-see destinations.

Is the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia the same?

No, the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia are two entirely different structures. Both are very important landmarks and must-see attractions of Istanbul. In fact, Hagia Sophia, which was originally built in the 6 th century as a church, is located across from the Blue Mosque. Read more about Hagia Sophia in our complete guide .

Historical Facts & Info about Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmet Camii in Turkish, is one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in Istanbul . Sultan Ahmed I ordered the construction of the imperial mosque after the peace treaty with the Habsburg monarchy in 1606 and the defeat in the war with Persia in 1603-18. 

The construction was to be a sign of Ottoman power . Until then, imperial mosques were built with the spoils of wars. However, Sultan Ahmed used the gold from the public treasury instead, which led to much criticism.

The location exactly opposite the Hagia Sophia is by no means a coincidence. The location of the Blue Mosque was chosen with care. The mosque was built on the site of the Great Palace , the palace of the Byzantine emperors. Some parts of the mosque even rest on the foundations of the old palace.

Mehmet Ağa, a disciple of the most important Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan , was appointed for the construction. Construction began in 1609 and was completed in 1616.

For more amazing pictures and tips about Istanbul, follow  our official Instagram account @istanbul.tourist.information

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For your visit to Istanbul, YourMobileGuide has you covered with a variety of exciting self guided audio tours. First-time visitors will love the Best of Istanbul Tour , which guides you to Istanbul's most important attractions, including the Blue Mosque . Thanks to tips for traditional Turkish street food, you can also get an introduction to the culinary side of the metropolis...

Contact & Map

• Address: Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul
• Opening Hours: Everyday, 24H (except prayer times and Friday after Friday Prayer)
• Public Transport: Tramway T1, Sultanahmet Stop
• Official Website: Ktb.gov.tr

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Istanbul Mosques

Hagia Sophia Mosque: Buy Tickets & Check Opening Hours

Süleymaniye mosque, rüstem paşa mosque, ortaköy mosque.