Attraction
Hagia Sophia
Justinian's sixth-century domed basilica, now the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, with a separate visitor route through its upper galleries above the prayer hall.
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Sultan Ahmed I's six-minaret imperial mosque, completed in 1617 and named for the blue İznik tiles that line its vast prayer hall.
At a glance
- Type
- Imperial mosque
- Area
- Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Last checked
- October 23, 2026
Good to know
- Free entry
Why we recommend it
Facing Hagia Sophia across Sultanahmet Square, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque was built between 1609 and 1617 to designs by Sedefkar Mehmed Agha. Its cascade of domes and six slender minarets make it one of the city's most photographed silhouettes, and inside, thousands of blue-toned İznik tiles give the building its popular name.
It is a working mosque, so sightseers use the side entrances and are asked to leave during the daily prayers. Entry is free; shoes come off at the door and modest dress is expected, with head coverings for women. Visit mid-morning or mid-afternoon, between prayer times, and step into the courtyard and the Hippodrome outside for the best views of the domes.
Reviewed by Lifestylemetro · Details checked October 23, 2026
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) FAQs
Is it free to visit?
Yes, entry is free; visitors remove their shoes and are expected to dress modestly, with women covering their hair.
When can tourists go in?
Outside prayer times — the prayer hall closes to sightseers during each of the five daily prayers, so mid-morning and mid-afternoon are easiest.