Guided Tours

Blue Mosque Guided Tour

Blue Mosque Istanbul exterior with guided tour group in courtyard.

Istanbul Blue Mosque exterior with guided tour group in foreground.

Istanbul Blue Mosque guided tour with visitors exploring the mosque's intricate architecture.

Istanbul Blue Mosque guided tour with visitors exploring the historic architecture.

On this guided tour, visit Istanbul’s renovated iconic Blue Mosque, walk through its courtyards, and choose to upgrade to include add-on tours.

Highlights

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.

Inclusions

1-hour guided tour of the Blue Mosque
English-speaking guide
Entry to the Blue Mosque
Walking tour of the Old City around Blue Mosque (as per option selected)
1-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia (as per option selected)
Entry to Hagia Sophia (as per option selected)
20-minute Basilica Cistern guided tour (as per option selected)
Entry to Basilica Cistern (as per option selected)
90-minute Bosphorus Cruise (as per option selected)
Audio guide for cruise in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic, and Chinese (as per option selected)

Cancellation policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Reviews

4.0

1K ratings

5/5

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Shirley

5/5

Nov, 2024

Our guide was amazing, spoke English and explained many things . I wish I had his name to praise him to you as he was the best tour guide taking us through the Blue Mosque, the Underground Cisterns, and Hagia Sofia.

Shane

4/5

Oct, 2024

We purchased tickets in Australia before we headed to Istanbul, Turkey for the Blue Mosque Guided tour. Everything was in the app and we found our guide on the day as per the instructions we were given. Our guide gave us a good insight into the Blue Mosque and also the surrounding historic area. He offered to take photos for us and was friendly, and full of historic information. Will use Headout again - thanks

Monique

4/5

Oct, 2024

Guide was easy to find and delivered what was advertised - an informative tour of both the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sofia. Got to go inside and learn a little of the history and culture of the mosques. Guide was a little hard to hear at times and wait time at Hagia Sofia security line was long and hot. But still a very worthwhile tour!

Marie

5/5

Oct, 2024

The guide was pleasant. His storytelling made our wait in line at the entrance much more enjoyable. We learned a lot of interesting information. Everything went as expected.

Hannee

4/5

Oct, 2024

Liked learning more about the history of Istanbul and the blue mosque. However because we were with quite a large groud sometimes you could't understand what the guide was saying (when he was facing the other way).

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Your experience

Meet your guide just outside the Blue Mosque, one of the most famous monuments in Istanbul dating back to the Ottoman Empire. Get the opportunity to see the mosque after an extensive renovation of more than 5 years.

Learn about the Blue Mosque

Walk through its spacious tiled courtyard with a fountain while at the lower levels and in the interior, the mosque is lined with more than 20,000 handmade İznik style ceramic tiles, in more than fifty different tulip designs. Notice how the design becomes flamboyant with representations of flowers, fruit, and cypresses at the gallery level. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mosque stands tall as it holds the secrets and histories of the Ottoman Empire from the year 1616 when the mosque first opened. Adorn the floors that are covered with carpets, which are regularly replaced as they wear out. The many spacious windows confer a spacious impression. Listen to stories about how the many lamps inside the mosque were once covered with gold and gems, while one could find ostrich eggs and crystal balls in many of its glass bowls.

Upgrade your adventure

Elevate your Istanbul experience beyond the captivating Blue Mosque! Choose an enriching add-on tour to delve deeper into the city's rich history. Explore the architectural marvels of Hagia Sophia, the once grand seat of empires, or immerse yourself in the opulent halls of Topkapi Palace, home to Ottoman Sultans. For a change of pace, embark on a scenic Bosphorus cruise, witnessing iconic landmarks like Dolmabahce Palace and experiencing the vibrant energy that bridges Europe and Asia along the breathtaking waterway. You may also choose to enjoy a walking tour outside the Blue Mosque of the Old City. Considered to be the heart of Istanbul, this is the perfect spot to see the balance of the mosque's atmosphere against the haggling in historic bazaars.

Know before you go

What to bring

Bring your walking shoes, water bottle, hat, sunglasses, and snacks for comfortable exploration.
Bring local currency or your preferred payment method for meals, souvenirs, and extra delights not covered by the ticket.
Stay ahead of the game; download the audio app beforehand to dodge any network glitches at the location.
Don’t forget your trusty earphones for an immersive audio guide experience.

What's not allowed

Hagia Sophia

The prayer area on the first floor can only be entered by Turkish citizens.
Strict dress code: Women should not wear knee-length shorts, skirts, or clothing with exposed shoulders or chests. Hair should be partially covered with a scarf. Men should not wear knee-length shorts or clothing with exposed shoulders.

Accessibility

Topkapi Palace & Basilica Cistern

This experience is wheelchair accessible.

Hagia Sophia

This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Additional information

If you do not have a scarf or body cover, you can buy them at the entrance (a scarf is 1€ and a body cover is 3€).
You can choose to take the Bosphorus cruise on the same day or the next day. In addition to midday and afternoon departures, enjoy a special evening cruise at 6 PM, available from April to October.
While you can breeze through the ticket lines, security screening is standard for all guests. Be prepared for wait times of up to 60 minutes during peak travel periods.
Hagia Sophia is under renovation, therefore, not all parts of the building are open to the public.
Due to the Friday prayer, the Mosque will be closed to tourists from 12pm to 2pm. For a smoother experience, it's recommend visiting after 4pm to avoid the lengthy security line anticipated between 2pm and 4pm.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.