Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque
Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque in Turkey Tours
The Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque, is one of Istanbul’s most celebrated Ottoman landmarks. Built between 1609 and 1616 during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I, the mosque was designed by the architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Agha, a student of the renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.
The mosque is famous for its impressive six minarets, cascading domes and elegant courtyard. Its interior is richly decorated with thousands of İznik tiles, featuring predominantly blue tones, along with stained-glass windows, calligraphic decorations and intricate architectural details.
Located opposite Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet Square, the mosque forms an important part of Istanbul’s historic skyline. It remains an active place of worship, while also welcoming visitors who wish to appreciate its remarkable Ottoman architecture and artistic heritage.

What is included & excluded
- Entry: The mosque is an active place of worship. Visitors may enter through designated visitor areas, subject to current mosque arrangements.
- Booking: Advance booking is generally not required for ordinary mosque visits. Organized groups and guided tours may have separate arrangements.
- Opening Hours: Visiting access may vary around the five daily prayers, Friday prayers, religious holidays, and special religious occasions.
- Duration: Visitors may spend time inside the permitted areas according to the mosque's current visitor arrangements.
- Photography: Photography is generally permitted for personal use in visitor areas, provided it does not disturb worshippers or violate any posted restrictions.
- Dress Code: Visitors must dress modestly. Women may be required to cover their heads, shoulders, and legs; appropriate coverings may be provided at the mosque.
- Footwear: Shoes must be removed before entering the prayer area and placed in the designated storage area.
- Religious Services: During prayer times, access to certain areas may be restricted. Visitors must remain quiet and avoid disturbing worshippers.
- Visitor Conduct: Visitors should respect the religious character of the mosque and follow instructions from mosque staff.
- Accessibility: Access arrangements may vary within the historic building. Visitors requiring assistance should check the current arrangements before visiting.
- Cancellation: Not applicable for a normal mosque visit where no admission ticket or reservation is required. Any paid guided tour will follow the tour operator's cancellation and refund conditions.
- Important: Access and visiting arrangements may change due to prayers, religious events, security requirements, or other operational circumstances. Visitors should check the current official information before visiting.
Cancellation policy
Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque is a place of worship and does not require an admission ticket or reservation for general visits. Therefore, no separate cancellation or refund policy applies to visiting the mosque. If the visit is included as part of a guided tour or travel package, the cancellation and refund conditions of the respective tour or booking will apply.
Terms & conditions
- General entry is free of charge; no standard admission ticket is required for ordinary mosque visits.
- Visitors must dress modestly and respectfully. Clothing that does not meet the mosque's requirements may result in restricted entry.
- Visitors must remove their shoes before entering the prayer area and use the designated shoe-storage arrangements.
- During prayer times, religious ceremonies and Friday prayers, access to the interior may be restricted or temporarily unavailable to tourists.
- Visitors must follow instructions from mosque staff and security personnel.
- Tourists must remain within the designated visitor areas and must not enter restricted prayer or service areas.
- Visitors should maintain silence and respectful behaviour and must not disturb worshippers.
- Photography for personal purposes may generally be permitted, but visitors must avoid photographing worshippers in an intrusive manner and comply with any restrictions.
- Commercial photography and professional filming may require prior permission.
- Visitors must not touch, damage or interfere with religious objects, architectural elements, decorations or artworks.
- Security checks may be conducted, and restricted or inappropriate items may not be permitted inside.
- Children should remain under the supervision of an accompanying adult.
- Certain areas may be temporarily closed for restoration, maintenance, religious activities, official events or security reasons.
- Opening and tourist-visit hours may change without prior notice, particularly around religious holidays and special ceremonies.
- Visitors are responsible for their personal belongings.
- Since ordinary entry to the mosque is free, there is no general admission-ticket cancellation or refund policy.
- If the Blue Mosque visit is included in a guided tour, the tour operator's own cancellation and refund policy will apply.
- Any separately ticketed cultural or guided experience associated with the mosque may have its own booking conditions.
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