Blue Mosque Tickets
Visit Istanbul's Blue Mosque. Join our guided tours to discover its history. Opt for combo deals with other iconic landmarks for a comprehensive experience.
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Soak up the charm and splendor of the Blue Mosque’s architecture, dating back to the Ottoman Empire, on this tour with a local guide.
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Enjoy a complimentary walking tour of the Old City surrounding the mosque, formerly an administrative pole of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.
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Listen to interesting facts from your guide as you walk along its courtyard which has a large fountain and special area for ablution.
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Upgrade your experience to choose between guided tours of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, or Basilica Cistern, or to go for a Bosphorus cruise.
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Fun Fact: Various verses from the Quran and the words of the Prophet Muhammad adorn the high walls of the mosque.
More details
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Soak up the charm and splendor of the Blue Mosque’s architecture, dating back to the Ottoman Empire, on this tour with a local guide.
-
Enjoy a complimentary walking tour of the Old City surrounding the mosque, formerly an administrative pole of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.
-
Listen to interesting facts from your guide as you walk along its courtyard which has a large fountain and special area for ablution.
-
Upgrade your experience to choose between guided tours of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, or Basilica Cistern, or to go for a Bosphorus cruise.
-
Fun Fact: Various verses from the Quran and the words of the Prophet Muhammad adorn the high walls of the mosque.
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Tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hagia Sophia Mosque, with these entry tickets and learn of its history and architecture from a local guide.
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Enjoy a complimentary walking tour of the surrounding Old City, home to some of the most historic sites including the Blue Mosque.
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Soak up the Blue Mosque’s carved tiles, painted glass windows, and different elements like its 5 main domes and 6 minarets.
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Did you know? The Blue Mosque's interior is lit by 260 windows and offers panoramic views.
More details
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Tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hagia Sophia Mosque, with these entry tickets and learn of its history and architecture from a local guide.
-
Enjoy a complimentary walking tour of the surrounding Old City, home to some of the most historic sites including the Blue Mosque.
-
Soak up the Blue Mosque’s carved tiles, painted glass windows, and different elements like its 5 main domes and 6 minarets.
-
Did you know? The Blue Mosque's interior is lit by 260 windows and offers panoramic views.
5% off
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Enjoy fast-track entry into Basilica Cistern, one of the largest cisterns located in Istanbul with vaulted ceilings and raised wooden platforms with an expert guide.
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Discover the heritage of a once-great Ottoman Empire and Istanbul’s spiritual side at the amazing Blue Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Experience skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia and listen to how it was once a church and later became a mosque, and finally a museum.
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Learn about the history and architecture of Hagia Sophia from your insightful audio guide.
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Fun Fact: The Blue mosque was located on a square known as the Sultanahmet Square, originally known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople and used to be a huge stadium for chariot races.
More details
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Enjoy fast-track entry into Basilica Cistern, one of the largest cisterns located in Istanbul with vaulted ceilings and raised wooden platforms with an expert guide.
-
Discover the heritage of a once-great Ottoman Empire and Istanbul’s spiritual side at the amazing Blue Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
-
Experience skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia and listen to how it was once a church and later became a mosque, and finally a museum.
-
Learn about the history and architecture of Hagia Sophia from your insightful audio guide.
-
Fun Fact: The Blue mosque was located on a square known as the Sultanahmet Square, originally known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople and used to be a huge stadium for chariot races.
10% off
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Discover Istanbul with the MegaPass! Choose 2, 4, or 9 attractions including museums, guided tours, Bosphorus cruises, national palaces, and Hamam baths.
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Skip the lines to the attractions and spend your precious time exploring Turkish culture, architecture, and cuisine, saving up to 37%.
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Choose your preferred experiences: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce Palace, Whirling Dervish Show, Turkish bath, or a dinner cruise.
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The pass is valid for 7 days, offering maximum flexibility, and includes a complimentary Bosphorus Cruise ticket and a guided tour of the Blue Mosque.
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Get access to a 5-ride transport card, route maps, and a digital guidebook—everything you need for a great experience!
More details
-
Discover Istanbul with the MegaPass! Choose 2, 4, or 9 attractions including museums, guided tours, Bosphorus cruises, national palaces, and Hamam baths.
-
Skip the lines to the attractions and spend your precious time exploring Turkish culture, architecture, and cuisine, saving up to 37%.
-
Choose your preferred experiences: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce Palace, Whirling Dervish Show, Turkish bath, or a dinner cruise.
-
The pass is valid for 7 days, offering maximum flexibility, and includes a complimentary Bosphorus Cruise ticket and a guided tour of the Blue Mosque.
-
Get access to a 5-ride transport card, route maps, and a digital guidebook—everything you need for a great experience!
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Enjoy skip-the-line entry to Istanbul’s top attractions – Topkapi Palace and Basicilia Cistern, a relaxing Bosphorus Cruise, and guided tours of Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque.
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With a validity of 3 days, use this ticket to explore each site at your own pace or do all tours in one day with the same tour guide in 5 hours.
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Listen to the famed history of these famous landmarks from your expert English-speaking guide and an audio guide app available in 8 languages.
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Relax, as you sail away on the Bosphorus waterway on a 90-minute cruise and take in the spectacular beauty of Istanbul.
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Did you know? Istanbul was once the capital city of three empires – Roman, Latin, and Ottoman.
More details
-
Enjoy skip-the-line entry to Istanbul’s top attractions – Topkapi Palace and Basicilia Cistern, a relaxing Bosphorus Cruise, and guided tours of Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque.
-
With a validity of 3 days, use this ticket to explore each site at your own pace or do all tours in one day with the same tour guide in 5 hours.
-
Listen to the famed history of these famous landmarks from your expert English-speaking guide and an audio guide app available in 8 languages.
-
Relax, as you sail away on the Bosphorus waterway on a 90-minute cruise and take in the spectacular beauty of Istanbul.
-
Did you know? Istanbul was once the capital city of three empires – Roman, Latin, and Ottoman.
17% off
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Experience Istanbul's beauty aboard a luxury yacht, sailing the Bosphorus Strait between Europe and Asia.
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Explore Kanlica on the Asian side and savor the famous local "Kanlica Yogurt" during your stopover.
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Enjoy inclusions like snacks, savory pastries, fruits, Turkish coffee, and tea, all while cruising in style.
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Capture stunning views of Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, and the Leander Tower, among other iconic sights.
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Fun Fact: Kanlica is known as Istanbul's greenest point, adding a touch of nature to this mesmerizing city.
More details
-
Experience Istanbul's beauty aboard a luxury yacht, sailing the Bosphorus Strait between Europe and Asia.
-
Explore Kanlica on the Asian side and savor the famous local "Kanlica Yogurt" during your stopover.
-
Enjoy inclusions like snacks, savory pastries, fruits, Turkish coffee, and tea, all while cruising in style.
-
Capture stunning views of Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, and the Leander Tower, among other iconic sights.
-
Fun Fact: Kanlica is known as Istanbul's greenest point, adding a touch of nature to this mesmerizing city.
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Avail of fast-track entry into all the old town's sites, like Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque.
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Gain insight on all the attractions visited from your expert English-speaking tour guide.
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Take a short lunch break and savor a delectable lunch at a local restaurant.
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Put a classy end to your trip by hopping aboard a luxury yacht for a sunset cruise.
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Sail along the Bosphorus Strait and notice various palaces, mosques, and Bosphorus bridges pass you by.
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Nibble on baklava and fresh seasonal fruits and sip on soft drinks while on the yacht.
More details
-
Avail of fast-track entry into all the old town's sites, like Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque.
-
Gain insight on all the attractions visited from your expert English-speaking tour guide.
-
Take a short lunch break and savor a delectable lunch at a local restaurant.
-
Put a classy end to your trip by hopping aboard a luxury yacht for a sunset cruise.
-
Sail along the Bosphorus Strait and notice various palaces, mosques, and Bosphorus bridges pass you by.
-
Nibble on baklava and fresh seasonal fruits and sip on soft drinks while on the yacht.
-
Get lost in the blue Iznik tiles, the towering minarets, and the grand dome on this 1-hour tour of the Blue Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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With an expert guide at the helm, learn about the Quranic verses in the Great Tablets and interesting bits about the royal kiosk in the Blue Mosque.
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Come aboard the Bosphorus Cruise to catch a glimpse of the conical roof of the Galata Tower and the gray towers of Dolmabahce Palace.
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With an audio guide in your preferred language, understand details about each landmark like why gray marble was used to create Çırağan Palace, on the 90-minute cruise.
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Fun fact: Barack Obama, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis have visited the Blue Mosque over the years.
More details
-
Get lost in the blue Iznik tiles, the towering minarets, and the grand dome on this 1-hour tour of the Blue Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
-
With an expert guide at the helm, learn about the Quranic verses in the Great Tablets and interesting bits about the royal kiosk in the Blue Mosque.
-
Come aboard the Bosphorus Cruise to catch a glimpse of the conical roof of the Galata Tower and the gray towers of Dolmabahce Palace.
-
With an audio guide in your preferred language, understand details about each landmark like why gray marble was used to create Çırağan Palace, on the 90-minute cruise.
-
Fun fact: Barack Obama, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis have visited the Blue Mosque over the years.
Pro tips to help you make a pick
The Blue Mosque is a culturally rich landmark that draws millions annually. Though access is free, invest in guided tours, especially those with skip-the-line access. With them, you can bypass the long queues and delve into the fascinating legends and intricate architectural details of the mosque.
The call to prayer or adhan at the Blue Mosque is mesmerizing to listen. It resounds and creates an incredibly spiritual atmosphere. Though the Mosque itself is closed during this time, wait around to bless your ears with this beautiful adhan.
The Mosque’s stained glass windows are artworks that demand appreciation. Visit during the golden hours to catch the colorful play of lights filtering in through these windows, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the Mosque.
The Blue Mosque is a functioning mosque. Be respectful in your conduct inside, maintain silence, do not engage in any activities that might disturb the worshippers, dress modestly, and do not lean on the walls or touch items.
The Mosque is closed for about 90 minutes during prayer times. Check the timings (which can change constantly) before you plan your visit.
Top things to do in Istanbul
About Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, popularly called the Blue Mosque, after the 20,000 bluish Iznik tiles that adorn its interiors, has been drawing the faithful since the 17th century. Visit the mosque to experience its spiritual atmosphere and witness the incredible craftsmanship of the Ottomans.
An interesting legend surrounds the unusual six minarets of the Mosque. Sultan Ahmed wanted them in gold, but the architect misheard it as six, given the words in Turkish for both sound similar. Since only the Prophet’s Mosque in Mecca had six minarets, it is believed that the Sultan avoided controversy by commissioning a 7th minaret in the Mecca Mosque, to maintain its supremacy.
The Blue Mosque gets its popular name from the beautiful blue Iznik tiles that adorn its ceiling. The tiles come from Iznik in Turkey famous for its pottery. Handpainted with floral motifs and incredible calligraphy, these 20,000 blue tiles make the interiors an absolutely stunning sight.
A teenage sultan, Ahmed, wanted his legacy to shine in the Ottoman narrative; the chances of which were slim given his numerous military defeats. The Blue Mosque was his trump card and he was resolved to finish it despite a declining social situation and much opposition. He even took part in the construction of the Mosque on the first day.
The Mosque's construction was controversial, as it stands on what used to be the Byzantine Hippodrome and entailed the demolition of Ottoman ministers' palaces. It was also funded by the treasury unlike the usual war spoils and this irked many, especially as famines were demoralizing the state. Placing the Mosque opposite the Hagia Sophia and outshining it, was also read as a power move.
The Blue Mosque was painstakingly constructed in 7 years under the vision of architect Mehmed Aga. The mosque has one central dome and eight half domes that cascade from it, offering a unique exterior. The construction of the central dome is a testament to the engineering genius of the Ottomans. The mosque consists of a prayer hall and a courtyard of equal proportions.
Why visit Blue Mosque?
Architectural grandeur
The Blue Mosque is a sight for sore eyes. The interiors impress with the bluish hue of the 20,000 Iznik tiles, and splendidly crafted stained glass windows. The cascading domes and six minarets pierce the Istanbul skyline and stand as a testament to the incredible engineering feats and artistic vision of the Ottomans.
Spiritual atmosphere
A functional mosque where thousands gather to seek solace, the Blue Mosque maintains a serene atmosphere that invites people for moments of quiet contemplation. This spiritual aura is hard to miss the moment you step in.
Historical significance
The Blue Mosque has stood tall for more than 400 years and tells the tale of the incredible vision, Islamic artistry, and wealth of the Ottomans. Seek the Blue Mosque for a great history lesson on the cultural heritage of the Ottoman Empire.
Highlights
The Ceiling
Blue Mosque gets its name from the handsome blue Iznik tiles that adorn the ceiling and walls. Zoom in on these 20,000 handmade tiles with floral designs that came from the town of Iznik, famed for its pottery. The blue paint on the upper levels complements the tiles and produces a beautiful tapestry of blues, turquoise, and greens.
Minarets
The Blue Mosque boasts six minarets, a unique feature shared only with the mosque in Mecca at the time. Four of these graceful columns adorn the prayer hall corners, while two flank the courtyard's edges. Each minaret, decorated with balconies, contributes to the mosque's striking silhouette against the Turkish skyline, complementing its cascading domes.
Courtyard & the Prayer Hall
Appreciate the Blue Mosque’s proportions as the prayer hall has an equally sized courtyard called Avlu in front. The Mosque’s impressive facade must be witnessed from the courtyard flanked by arcades. It also has a beautiful fountain for ritual washing. Walking into the prayer hall is like walking into grandeur, where light, space, and design highlight Ottoman skill while inspiring a sense of calm.
Stained glass windows
Every design element of the mosque is accentuated by the 260 windows that pierce the domes and the walls. These windows have intricate stained glass work on them and filter soft light into the mosque. It is believed that these were originally a gift from the Signoria of Venice.
The Mihrab & the Minbar
The qibla wall with its mihrab and minbar is one of the most beautiful parts of the prayer hall. The mihrab is a marble niche on this wall with finely detailed tilework, calligraphy, and designs, guiding worshippers in the direction of Mecca. On its side is the tall and thin marble minbar, a pulpit for the Imam’s sermons. These two together signify the mosque’s religious purposes.
Plan your visit
Main entrance
Facing the Hippodrome, the main entrance is situated on the northwestern part of the Blue Mosque and is reserved for worshippers. Staff may make exceptions for those with reduced mobility to use this entrance. It is wheelchair accessible.
Southern entrance
This entrance is one of the two entrances open to visitors and non-worshippers. It remains closed during the prayer hours. Walk towards the right of the main entrance to head to this south door. It is wheelchair accessible.
Western entrance
Another entrance accessible to visitors, this door is on the eastern side of the mosque. If you are coming after exploring the Hagia Sophia, this is the closest entrance. It is also closed during the prayer hours and is wheelchair accessible.
- Daily: 9 AM to 5 PM
- Closed: During the 5 prayer hours in the day, the mosque is closed for about 90 minutes to non-worshippers and visitors; it is also closed till noon on Friday (which is a sacred day for Muslims) for visitors. Check the prayer times online before you visit.
There are toilets available on the Mosque premises.
There is an information desk where people can obtain maps, pamphlets detailing the history of the Mosque and make other inquiries.
Wheelchairs are available to rent free of cost at all entrances.
Most of the Mosque is accessible via wheelchair. All entrances are wheelchair accessible. Even though the main entrance is reserved for worshippers, staff might make exemptions for tourists in wheelchairs. There might be some limitations to movement given the historical architecture of the Mosque.
Ramps and elevators to help visitors with limited mobility can be found on the northwest side near the Hippodrome and Obelisks.
Strollers are allowed in the Mosque. Make sure that they are not blocking the way for anyone else.
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