Have you ever thought about turning the unique pages of istanbul's history; heard the fairest tales? once, there was a sultan named ahmed i, who was a devout man. sultan ahmed wanted to express his devotion to god, and he asked for such a magnificent mosque that would be caught in the eye in every aspect of istanbul. he dreamt about a mosque with a difference! so, the tale of the blue mosque of i̇stanbul has started.
Sedefkar Mehmet Aga started to build this famous Blue Mosque in 1609 and completed the construction in 1616. He was one of the well-talented architects of the 17th-century Ottoman era and the pupil of the well-known architect Mimar Sinan. Sultan Ahmed’s wish for a mosque with glory, strength, and brilliance came true! The Blue Mosque has been at the center of İstanbul, surrounded by history, and visible from every aspect since then.
What is the thing that makes this famous mosque different from others? Being the first mosque of the Ottoman empire, which has six minarets, Blue Mosque became a peerless architecture of the 17th century Ottoman empire and today’s İstanbul! During the construction, the six minarets of the Blue Mosque started some controversy because it was the Kaaba, the holiest mosque of Mecca, having six minarets, and the Blue Mosque was considered to be challenging Kaaba. So the story goes: Sultan Ahmed sent constructors to Mecca to build the seventh minaret for Kaaba.
The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii in Turkish) is called “blue” by Europeans since blue tiles surround the interior design walls. Be ready to be dazzled when you step inside the Blue Mosque because the internal part is as charming as the exterior part! More than 20.000 handmade Iznik (Nicaea) ceramic tiles in the shape of 50 different tulip designs are adorning the interior walls of the blue mosque; the paramount chandeliers lighting up the majestic church await you!
In the Blue Mosque, the regal red carpet covers all the space. Calligraphy with Quranic verses will get your attention immediately. If you seek the best places to visit in Istanbul, the Blue Mosque offers you the most beautiful visual feast. You will exactly be charmed by its magnificence! There are lots of exciting features that make this mosque so brilliant. Don’t worry about missing something out because your experienced Istanbul travel guide will be with you during your visit!
For many years, this majestic mosque has been welcoming and embracing anyone. The gates of the Blue Mosque are not only always open for prayers which would like to practice their religion. With its all glory and magnificence, it stands at the city's heart; it draws all the attention of tourists and even locals! So it is one of the best places to visit in Istanbul. The mosque also welcomes travelers who desire to discover, get familiar with İstanbul better by learning from its history! Have your Istanbul Tourist Pass and discover the Blue Mosque now!
Istanbul Tourist Pass®️ is your digital pass to 100+ attractions, including Istanbul’s top sights, guided tours and unique experiences. It gives you skip-the-line access and nothing to pay at the door.
Use code PROMO5 at checkout
Limited time offer
It’s impossible to ignore the Blue Mosque even when you’re walking far away from it. Remember the tale that İstanbul has just told you! It can be said that it is one of the most realistic tales. We have proof: let’s say you are walking or sipping your Turkish coffee by the seashore of Karaköy: In one of the most popular places in Istanbul, the first gaze you may catch will be the Blue Mosque! You may even find your directions according to this famous church. It is a fact that when you say Istanbul, the Blue Mosque is the essential part reflecting the soul of this city.
It’s always said that Istanbul has a lot to offer and many things to discover. Have you ever looked at the best canvas painted by different nations, cultures, and religions? The very first and the best place to experience all of these is the Blue Mosque. One of the most significant Islamic architectures, the Blue Mosque stands at the top of Istanbul; gazing at the city just like a guardian, watches Istanbul day and night!
Have you ever heard the rhythm of this city? Around the Blue Mosque, you may hear the songs of the pigeons, sounds of prayer calls. You can come across people visiting here from all around the world. You are going to catch the panoramic view of Istanbul in the eye of the Blue Mosque!
The Blue Mosque is also close to other touristic attractions such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the Basilica Cistern, the Archeological Museums, and the Grand Bazaar. So, during your visit to the Blue Mosque, you come across other hidden treasures of the city! Did you know that the Byzantine structure, commissioned by Emperor Constantius in 360 A.D The Hagia Sophia and the 17th century’s Ottoman frame, the Blue Mosque stands face to face? It is a fantastic opportunity to see how the city preserves its history and embraces cultural differences
Reviews
Reviews
Discover the Unlimited Istanbul Public Transportation Card! Enjoy limitless access to the city's public transport, including metro, trams, buses, metrobuses, and ferries. Delivered to your hotel, it doubles as a stylish keepsake. Experience hassle-free travel in Istanbul!
Travel insurance is one area where many travelers strive to save money. But while the odds of an accident or illness while traveling are low, if you choose not to get insurance, be prepared to pay the costs if anything does happen. It is always better to be prepared than sorry.
It is known that Turkish society, in general, is conservative. However, that has not hindered the recent growth of the LGBTI+ community in Turkey. Some argue that the LGBTI+ community in Turkey is not granted their rights, while others believe that they lead normal lives. Whatever the true situation may be, Istanbul remains a city of fun where nothing can prevent the LGBTI+ community from enjoying their time there.
Read More
Walking is the best way to discover any city. if this city is istanbul, september is the best time to walk along the streets. when september comes to istanbul, the sun is still smiling. however, it is not to bother people anymore as in summer. if it rains, it is not even making people wet. literally, it just cleans the streets and paints the september sky with the rainbow. besides, istanbul streets are not that much crowded after the second week of september since the summer holiday ended and schools began. here the best places that you can discover by walking in istanbul- especially in september!
Read More
French 
Indonesian 
Urdu 
Taiwanese 
Russian 
Romanian 
Portuguese 
Persian 
Macedonian 
Korean 
Japanese 
Italian 
Indian 
Hungarian 
Greek 
German 
Croatian 
Chinese 
Bulgarian 
Arabic 
Spanish 
English 