Overview
Commissioned by Sultan Ahmed I in 1616, this is Istanbul's signature Ottoman-style mosque. Its six minarets matched the number at the Prophet's Mosque in Mecca, sparking controversy at the time. The interior is decorated with more than 20,000 Iznik tiles whose blue hues lend the mosque its 'Blue Mosque' nickname. Light streaming through more than 200 stained-glass windows fills the prayer hall with an ethereal atmosphere. Free admission (donations welcome). 3-minute walk from Tram T1 Sultanahmet stop.
Opening Hours
Tourist hours 08:30-11:30, 13:00-14:30, 15:30-16:45 (no entry until 13:30 on Fridays)
Travel Tips
Visits are restricted during prayer times; shorts and sleeveless tops are not permitted. Women must wear a head scarf.
Hotels near Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Hotels and guesthouses in Istanbul, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
