The Blue Mosque in Istanbul has been high on my list in Turkey for a very long time. So when I decided to Istanbul in Turkey, I knew I wanted to go. I’m not a historian, so if you’re looking for the history of the Blue Mosque, read more about it here. Or perhaps you could maybe consider a tour?
If you’re thinking of a trip to Istanbul, I’ll share what to expect based on my experience. Keep reading to find out more about entry prices and what I experienced at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Opening Hours and Ticket Prices
When I visited the Blue Mosque, it was free to enter. It’s open outside of prayer times which are available to view here. My suggestion would be to visit the Blue Mosque or Hagia Sophia first, take a break at a restaurant or cafe nearby (some suggestions are available here) and then go to the other one afterwards. That said, it’s a very busy mosque so do be prepared to wait to move around it due to the high volumes of people passing through.
Also, outside there are many sellers who will be keen to get your attention. Many of them will ask where you are from and to take a look at their carpets but a firm but polite no did the trick. I spent about ten minutes walking along the outer parts before I entered inside. Also, for context, it was a rainy day and later afternoon around 4pm when I visited. I feel like it would have been even busier in the morning and early afternoon.
Dress Code and Security
As it is a mosque, it is expected that both and men have their legs covered (no shorts), but also women need to wear headscarves. You will pass through several points where staff will check this as well as a security point there your bags are checked. It’s all very standard and it’s all very safe. Leggings and hats are also not allowed.
You will also need to remove your shoes before you enter the main part of the mosque. There is plenty of space to place these on a shelf with a letter and number for you to remember.
Inside the Blue Mosque
Once you get into the main part of the Blue Mosque, it is truly awe-inspiring. The ceilings are very high with beautiful designs. As previously mentioned, it’s a bustling mosque with a mixture of tourists and worshippers. Be prepared to navigate your way through a crowd where many will be taking photos. There is still enough space to move around safely though.
Islamic Information Center
Another thing I noticed at the mosque was that there is an Islamic Information Center towards the exit. In here, there is a specialist if you would like to learn more about Islam for free. Personally, I didn’t have the time to go, but I still thought it was something nice to offer.
Total Time Spent at the Blue Mosque
In total, I spent about 45 minutes at the Blue Mosque from start to finish. You could definitely spend more time there if you wanted and there was zero pressure to leave, despite the constant influx of visitors. I do think that it could be longer in queues, etc. if you were to visit at peak times of the year which is something to take into consideration.
Thanks for Reading!
Finally, I hope that you enjoyed reading and that this post has given you some ideas if you ever decide to visit in Istanbul. Thanks for taking the time to read! If you liked this post, you might like some others I have written about Turkey.
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