Since the first time I saw a mosque, I fell in love with the architecture. I’m not even Muslim, but there’s something so gorgeous and serene about the Arabic that waltzes around the walls, the curved domes, the clean tiled interiors with their colors and patterns. So when I was planning my trip to Turkey, I knew I had to see as many of the mosques in Istanbul as I could. The pictures looked amazing!
However, Istanbul is a huge city that spans two continents. It’s also home to over 3,000 active mosques, which can make it ever-so-slightly difficult to decide which ones to visit when you have limited time. That didn’t stop me from seeing more than one mosque a day, every single day—but I’ve narrowed down this list to, in my opinion, the 5 most beautiful mosques in Istanbul!
Etiquette for Visiting Mosques in Istanbul
I really believe that visiting mosques in Istanbul is one of the city’s highlights. For someone like me, who’s super into architecture, history, and Islamic design, visiting a different mosque every day was one of the best parts of my trip! However, you have to remember that these mosques are active places of worship and should be treated with respect. Following a few basic etiquette guidelines will ensure a respectful and enjoyable experience for everyone—you’re a guest in their space!
- Dress code. Modest clothing is expected when visiting any mosque. Both men and women should avoid revealing, short, or tight-fitting clothing. Cover your shoulders and knees, and women are required to cover their hair. Some mosques might provide scarves or head coverings that you can borrow, but I recommend just bringing your own. You also must remove your shoes before entering the mosque.
- Prayer hours. Muslims pray five times a day, and usually the mosques in Istanbul are inaccessible to visitors during those times. You should also avoid Fridays, the most important congregational prayer day of the week, where visitor access is likely to be limited. I recommend checking the prayer schedule in advance as it’s based on times of day, which changes with the seasons.
- Entrance fees? One of the best things about visiting mosques in Istanbul is that admission is typically free. The main exception that I can think of is the Hagia Sophia, but otherwise you should be able to walk in for free as a visitor unless you’re part of a guided tour. Of course, feel free to donate—donation boxes are often available near entrances.
- Visitor areas. Most of the major mosques in Istanbul have designated visitor areas where you can walk, observe, and take photographs without disturbing worshippers. Please pay attentions to signs and barriers to avoid entering places that are supposed to be for people praying. Keep your voice low and please don’t take photos of people praying, either!
The Most Beautiful Mosques in Istanbul
1. Sultan Ahmed Mosque (The Blue Mosque)
No list of the best mosques in Istanbul would be complete without mentioning the legendary Sultan Ahmed Mosque, more popularly known as the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. While from the outside it can be hard to tell the Blue Mosque apart from all the other blue mosques in Turkey—seriously, they are almost all blue—it’s still one of the city’s most famous landmarks.
The Blue Mosque was built during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I and only took 5 years to construct. Inside, you’ll find tens of thousands of blue Iznik tiles, floral patterns, and more than 200 stained-glass windows. If you look from the outside, you’ll see that the Blue Mosque rivals the grandeur of the nearby Hagia Sophia, which was actually done on purpose. At the time, the six minarets of the Blue Mosque were super controversial because it had the same number as the Grand Mosque in Mecca, eventually prompting the one in Mecca to add a seventh one!
2. The Hagia Sophia
If you’re a fan of history or architecture (or both, like me!), you can’t miss the massive Hagia Sophia. This is one of the most unusual buildings in the world! Originally constructed all the way back in 537 AD during the Byzantine Empire, the Hagia Sophia was originally a cathedral. Later, it was converted into a mosque, and then a museum, and then back into a mosque…so it has a storied history.
And you can definitely tell from the interior! Islamic calligraphy panels sit right next to ancient Christian mosaics, making it unlike any other religious building today. Additionally, the Hagia Sophia has always been considered an engineering marvel—it influenced the design of future mosques like the Blue Mosque and the Süleymaniye Mosque, both on this list.
⚠️ The Hagia Sophia started its first massive construction and restoration project in 2025 with no set end date. It will likely continue for at least a decade! You can still visit the interior, but be warned that scaffolding makes it extremely difficult to see anything.
3. Ortaköy Mosque
I can guarantee that even if you don’t know the name of Ortaköy Mosque, you’ve definitely seen it in photos of Istanbul. This relatively small mosque is perched directly on the Bosphorus waterfront, overlooking the canal that separates Europe and Asia, with the massive Bosphorus Bridge rising dramatically behind it. It’s also one of the most photogenic mosques in Istanbul, a favorite at sunrise for photographers.
Many people stop to take pictures with Ortaköy Mosque in the background, but I highly recommend stepping inside! The mosque is filled with sunlight that pours across the pale pink walls and reflects across the unique glass chandeliers, giving it a delicately royal feeling. In fact, this was the last mosque we visited before we had to fly out, but it ended up being my favorite mosque in Istanbul.
☕ Pro tip: the best places from which to view Ortaköy Mosque are the nearby cafes—Cups and Clouds across the street has a fantastic terrace with impeccable views, and the House Cafe Ortaköy has a gorgeous breakfast spread set against the blue Bosphorus with Ortaköy Mosque in the background.
4. Rüstem Pacha Mosque
This one is a hidden gem. Rüstem Pasha Mosque is a little-known mosque tucked right above the famous Egyptian Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, but you won’t want to skip this underrated treasure. As you explore Istanbul’s history, you’ll hear the name “Mimar Sinan” everywhere—he was a famous Ottoman architect who designed many magnificent mosques in the city, including Rüstem Pasha Mosque. The interior is smaller than many of the imperial mosques in Istanbul, but it’s absolutely breathtaking.
The walls are completely covered in dazzling Iznik tiles in every shade of blue, violet, and turquoise, with all kinds of intricate floral and geometric patterns. Rüstem Pasha Mosque is actually one of the best sites in Turkey to see the quality of Iznik architecture firsthand! We spent much more time than expected admiring the stunning cerulean interiors and the tiles all over the outer courtyard. Plus, it’s much quieter than any of the other mosques on this list.
5. Süleymaniye Mosque
The legendary architect Mimar Sinan strikes again with the design of the magnificent Süleymaniye Mosque, often considered the most architecturally perfect mosque in Istanbul. Its perch on a hill overlooking the Bosphorus Strait offers a lovely vantage point from which to see the rest of the city, and the inside feels grand and harmonious. It’s less ornamental than the Blue Mosque, but emphasizes the beauty of refined details, light and open space.
I highly recommend popping by Süleymaniye Mosque in the early evening to catch the views around sunset! The mosque’s terrace overlooks the Golden Horn and Bosphorus, and locals and visitors alike gather here as the sun starts to wane. You’ll be able to watch the sunset Bosphorus boat tours, which I highly recommend doing if you have an evening to spare!
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