Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), Istanbul

About Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), Istanbul

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque was commissioned by the young Ottoman ruler Ahmed I and designed by the architect Sedefkar Mehmed Agha, a student of the great Sinan. Its cascade of domes and six slender minarets dominate the skyline of the historic peninsula. The popular name Blue Mosque comes from the more than twenty thousand hand-painted Iznik tiles that line the interior. The complex once included a madrasa, hospital, market and the sultan's tomb.

The mosque faces Hagia Sophia across Sultanahmet Square, the old Byzantine Hippodrome. It remains an active place of worship, and visitors enter through a separate gate outside prayer times. A recent multi-year restoration renewed its painted decoration and stained glass. In the evening, the illuminated domes and minarets offer one of the classic views of Istanbul, especially during Ramadan when the square fills with families breaking the fast. Its silhouette is unforgettable.

What to see

• Six minarets and cascading domes
• Iznik tile interior
• Central prayer hall under the main dome
• Courtyard with ablution fountain
• Sultanahmet Square and the Hippodrome

Visiting Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), Istanbul: practical guide

Best time

April to May and September to October

Hours

Open daily to visitors outside the five prayer times; closed to tourists during Friday midday prayer

Entry

Free

Dress code

Women cover hair, shoulders and legs; men wear long trousers; coverings provided

Nearest airport

Istanbul Airport (IST), 45 km

Tips from experienced pilgrims

• Arrive early morning to avoid queues
• Remove shoes and carry them in the bags provided
• Avoid visiting during prayer times, which shift with the season

Festivals and special days

• Ramadan
• Eid al-Fitr
• Kandil nights

Etiquette for visitors

Guidance drawn from Islam tradition. Always follow signs and local custodians.

• Dress modestly, covering arms and legs; women usually cover their hair in mosques.
• Remove shoes before entering the prayer hall.
• Avoid visiting during prayer times unless invited, and never walk in front of someone praying.
• Be discreet about eating, drinking and smoking in public during Ramadan days.
• Use your right hand for eating and giving or receiving items.
• Some mosques and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina are closed to non-Muslims.

Location map

Open in OpenStreetMap · Get directions

Frequently asked questions