About
Timings
The Blue Mosque holds prayer six times a day as per the Islamic timetable and the mosque is closed to visitors during prayer times. The prayer timings are-
Two hours before dawn
Dawn
Midday
Afternoon
Sunset
Right before the last light of the day
8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
3:30 PM: 4:45 PM
On Fridays, the mosque is open from 2:30 PM
The best time to visit Blue Mosque Istanbul is after the dawn prayers and before the midday prayer when the crowd is less, offering you more space to explore the place in peace. The mosque is closed on Fridays for special Friday prayers and opens at 2:30 PM. However, you can find many people waiting to visit the mosque on Friday, so it is suggested to avoid visiting the place on Fridays.
Essential Information
The Blue Mosque is located on the top of the hill in the Sultanahmet neighborhood. Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey.
The Blue Mosque dress code for women is loose-fitted clothes that don't cling to the body. Women should also cover their arms, legs, and their hair.
- Men should also follow a specific dress code and cover their legs. Please be aware not to wear shorts to the mosque.
- By Train:
You can get a train from Ataturk airport Havalimani to Zeytinburnu and once you reach here, you can take a tram to reach Sultanahmet, where the mosque is located. This will take around 60 minutes for you to reach.
- By Bus
You can directly take a Bus from the Ataturk Airport to Yenikapi Istasyonu. Once you reach, you have to walk for the remaining 2 km and you can reach there in 15 minutes in total.
- By Taxi
This is the most convenient way to reach the Blue Mosque. You can take a taxi from the airport and reach the Blue Mosque in 15-16 minutes as it's just 17kms.
Tips for Visiting the Blue Mosque
- Go through the Blue Mosque Istanbul timings and the prayer times before you plan the visit as the mosque will be closed for 90 minutes during each prayer time.
- The best time to visit the mosque is after the dawn prayers when the crowd is less and you can make use of the natural lights to take photos.
- Please follow the Blue Mosque dress code which is instructed for both Men and Women. Women should make sure to cover their heads with fabric before entering the mosque. Even if you forget to bring a head covering, you can easily find it at the mosque for free of cost.
- Tourists cannot enter the mosque in shorts or three-fourth clothes. This is applicable to both Men and Women.
- As the Blue Mosque is a place of worship and a functioning mosque, please be respectful and quiet. Please do not take pictures of people who are praying or performing their ablutions.
- You can take photos inside the mosque, but please remember to turn off your flash.
- Visitors need to remove their shoes before entering the mosque and they are provided with a clear plastic bag to place the shoes. Visitors can either carry their bags or keep the plastic bags outside.
FAQs
Can you take pictures inside a mosque?
Yes, visitors can take pictures inside the mosque, however, they are not allowed to take pictures of people praying. Aso, please make sure to turn off the flash before taking pictures inside.
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Do you have to wear a hijab in the Blue Mosque?
Yes, women are needed to cover their heads with fabric before entering the mosque.
Do I need a ticket for the Blue Mosque?
No, there is no entry fee or ticket to enter the Blue Mosque.
How do you get to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul?
You can reach the Blue Mosque by Bus, Taxi or even by Train. The most convenient way to reach the Blue Mosque is to take a taxi and you can reach your destination within 15 minutes from the airport.
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What is the best time to visit the Blue Mosque?
The best time to visit the Blue Mosque is early morning after the dawn prayers. The crowd is comparatively less and tourists can find it peaceful and can appreciate the architecture inside the mosque.
Who built the Blue Mosque?
The architect who constructed the Blue Mosque was Sedefkar Mehmet Ağa.
Why do they call it the Blue Mosque?
The Blue Mosque has many blue tiles surrounding the walls on the inside and the high ceiling has 20,000 hand-painted blue lights which give the mosque its name.
How old is the Blue Mosque?
The Blue Mosque was constructed between 1609-1616 and is currently 406 years old.
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