5 Most Popular Mosques to Visit in Istanbul, Türkiye
One thing Istanbul is known for is the beautiful architecture preserved for centuries. The most popular sightseeing spots for tourists are the mosques all around Istanbul. Although there are over 3000 mosques in Istanbul alone, these are the 5 most popular mosques to visit. Be sure to read until the end for a mini guide on the do’s and don’ts of visiting a mosque.
1. Hagia Sophia
Said as “Aya Sofia,” this is one of the most popular mosques in Istanbul on the European side, this is located a short walk from the Blue Mosque. As of the beginning of this year, you now need a ticket to enter and can now only enter the upper area, you can read more about the rules here. The lines to get in are always long and wait times can be anywhere from 30 mins to about 1-2 hours.
2. Blue Mosque
Located not too far from Hagia Sophia also on the European side, this is also known as Sultanahmet Mosque which the area is named after. One of the busiest areas, here you can find the two mosques and the Topkapi Palace not too far with food stands in between and fresh juice stands as well. Named the Blue Mosque, it has beautiful blue architecture inside, however it isn’t as big as Hagia Sophia so can get crowded fairly quickly.
3. Süleymaniye Mosque
Located close to a university campus on the European side, this mosque is large, beautiful and takes a bit of walking to get to. Along the way though you can stop for Borek and other snacks. The roads here can be a bit narrow and in some spots, you’ll have to share the road with the cars so I recommend going in the morning to beat the rush because this area is one of the more populated ones.
4. Çamlıca Mosque
My absolute favorite mosque I visited, this is also one of the largest mosques in Turkey. It’s one of the newest addition to Turkey and located on the Asian and best of all, it was designed by two women! To say this mosque is huge is an understatement as there is a museum, an art gallery and a conference hall. Outside of the mosque is a courtyard and walking down the path you can also stop at a cafe for some tea, coffee and snacks.
5. Ortaköy
One of the most iconic locations, this mosque is located by the Bosphorus on the European side and is a nice family-friendly area. This mosque looks large on the outside but quite small on the inside with an even smaller section for the women’s prayer room. This is a great mosque for visiting, taking that Instagram photo and I recommend grabbing a Kumpir which is a baked potato you can add tons of different ingredients to for the perfect snack or meal. This is also the area where most of the Bosphorus cruises start so after visiting the mosque, take a tour and enjoy the views!
More Things to Know
Do you need a guide to visit these mosques?
No, all mosques are open to enter for everyone, just be sure to follow the dresscode!
What is the dress code for visiting the mosques in Istanbul?
Women should be fully covered included arms and legs and hair must be covered. Some mosques have scarves you can borrow upon entry but most do not offer them so don’t forget to pack one if you plan on visiting. Men should be covered up to the knees at least and covering the arms is best practice.
Are these mosques family and stroller-friendly?
No, you are not able to take your stroller inside the mosques so you have to place them on the side before entering. Some of the mosques have guards that can help keep an eye out but mostly you have to leave them at your own risk.
What is the best time to visit mosques?
The best time is in the morning or after prayer times. Once you hear the call to prayer over the intercom, it’s about 15-30 mins before prayer begins but most mosques close down during these times and tourists are not allowed to enter. Avoid visiting on Friday afternoons as this is the time for the Friday prayer and the most populated times. You might not even be able to enter during the Friday prayer if you don’t intend to pray.
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