The Blue Mosque is the imperial mosque of Sultanahmet, the one with six minarets that presides over the square opposite Hagia Sophia. Its nickname comes from the Iznik tiles that cover the interior, but its official name is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, after Sultan Ahmed I, who commissioned it.
It's free, still in use as a place of worship, and visited between prayers. That, and the dress code, are the two things worth knowing before you go. With those sorted, it's one of the easiest visits in Istanbul.
A little history
It was built between 1609 and 1617 on the orders of Ahmed I, who came to the throne at thirteen and wanted a mosque that could rival Hagia Sophia, directly opposite. The architect was Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa, a pupil of Sinan. The sultan died a year after it was finished and is buried in the tomb within the complex.
The six minarets were a controversial novelty, because only the mosque in Mecca had as many. Legend has it that the sultan asked for golden minarets (altın) and the architect heard six (altı); in reality, a seventh minaret was added in Mecca and that settled the matter. The last major restoration was completed in 2023 and has left the interior brighter than ever.
What to see in the Blue Mosque
The courtyard and the ablution taps
The courtyard is almost as large as the prayer hall, ringed by arcades with thirty small domes and a fountain in the centre. The ablution taps line the outer side walls. From the courtyard you get the best view of the cascade of domes that defines classical Ottoman architecture.
The Iznik tiles
More than 20,000 tiles from the town of Iznik, with tulips, carnations, cypresses and rosettes in blue, green and red on a white ground. The finest are in the upper galleries, which are closed to visitors, but from below you can clearly make out the panels on the lower walls. These tiles represent the high point of Ottoman ceramics.
The dome and the windows
The central dome, about 23 metres across and more than 40 metres high, rests on four enormous piers that locals call the elephant's feet. More than 200 windows light the interior; many of the stained-glass panes are modern, but the effect of the light is original: step inside and look up.
The mihrab, the minbar and the sultan's lodge
The marble mihrab marks the direction of Mecca; to its right is the minbar, the pulpit from which the Friday sermon is given. To the left, a raised gallery screened with latticework was the sultan's lodge, which he reached on horseback by an outside ramp.
Tips for your visit
The visit takes about 45 minutes. The mosque closes to tourists during the five daily prayers, for around half an hour each, and for longer at midday on Fridays. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon are the safe windows; prayer times change every day with the sun.
- Shoulders and knees covered, for men and women alike. Women should also cover their hair: headscarves and skirts are lent at the entrance.
- You go in barefoot; you're given a plastic bag for your shoes. Socks are a good idea.
- Photography is allowed, but not of people praying and not with flash. Keep your voice down and your phone on silent.
- The visitors' entrance is on the Hippodrome side, not through the main courtyard gate.
Tickets and prices
Entry is free. There's a voluntary donation desk at the exit. On my tours there's nothing for you to arrange: the guide knows the day's prayer times and plans the morning so the mosque falls in an open window.
How to get there
It stands on Sultanahmet Square, between Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome, two minutes from the Sultanahmet tram stop. It's within walking distance of any hotel on the historic peninsula.
How we visit it on my tours
It's the first or last stop of the classic Istanbul day tour, depending on the day's prayer times. If you're interested in mosques beyond the famous ones, on the Sacred Istanbul tour we compare it with the Süleymaniye Mosque and with the city's churches and synagogues.
If you're coming as a group or have specific dates, tell me in plan your tailor-made trip and I'll prepare the route for you.