Visiting mosques in Istanbul is free in most cases and welcome outside prayer times. Dress modestly, remove your shoes, speak quietly and expect to wait during the five daily prayers. The Blue Mosque and the Süleymaniye are the two classic choices, and the Kariye is a former church with Byzantine mosaics that tourists can enter for a fee.
Last checked: 10 November 2026. Entry facts come from our linked guides. Prayer times come from the Diyanet prayer times site, the official source. Building dates come from standard reference works, so use a museum or Diyanet page if you need more precision.
Rules for visiting mosques in Istanbul
| Rule | What to do |
|---|---|
| Clothing | Cover shoulders and knees. Bring a scarf if you are a woman, for your hair. |
| Shoes | Remove them at the entrance. Carry them in a bag or use the shelves. |
| Behaviour | Speak softly, do not walk in front of worshippers and do not use flash. |
| Timing | Sightseeing pauses during prayer. Check the day’s times first. |
| Fridays | The midday prayer is the busiest. Visits may stop for several hours. |
The Blue Mosque is free to enter, and our Blue Mosque family guide explains the rules for strollers and children.
Mosques worth visiting
| Mosque | Why go | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet) | The best-known interior, with blue tiles and six minarets | Free. Closes to visitors at prayer times |
| Süleymaniye | Sinan’s 16th-century masterpiece, with views over the Golden Horn | Calmer than the Blue Mosque |
| Rüstem Pasha | A small mosque near the Spice Bazaar covered in İznik tiles | Reached by stairs from street level |
| Yeni Cami (New Mosque) | On the water at Eminönü, next to the Spice Bazaar | Part of our bazaar route |
| Ortaköy Mosque | A small 19th-century mosque beside the Bosphorus | Best in the morning light |
| Büyük Çamlıca | The newest large mosque, on the Asian side, with big views | Reached by road or taxi |
| Kariye (Chora) | Byzantine mosaics in a former church | Foreign visitors pay. See our Kariye guide |
Hagia Sophia is a mosque, too
Hagia Sophia serves as a mosque, and foreign visitors use a separate entrance and a ticketed route to the upper gallery. We cover the details in our Hagia Sophia ticket guide and compare it with the Blue Mosque in Blue Mosque or Hagia Sophia.
How to find prayer times
Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) publishes the official prayer times for each district. Open its prayer times site, choose Istanbul and note the midday, afternoon and evening times. Visits usually pause during each prayer, and each mosque sets its own length and rules. Our Ramadan guide adds notes for the fasting month.
What to wear
- Long trousers or a skirt below the knee, and sleeves that cover your shoulders.
- A light scarf, which you should bring yourself.
- Socks, since you will be barefoot on carpets and cold floors.
Mosque etiquette: quick answers
Do tourists have to pay to enter mosques in Istanbul?
Most mosques are free. Hagia Sophia’s visitor route and the Kariye charge foreign visitors.
Can women enter mosques in Istanbul?
Yes. Cover your hair and dress modestly. Visitors stay out of the areas used for prayer.
Can I take photos?
Usually yes, without flash. Do not photograph worshippers.
