Dos and Don’ts Of Visiting The Blue Mosque, Istanbul

During my time in Istanbul, on my first child-free holiday abroad, we visited the city’s most famous landmarks, the Blue Mosque. Commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I, when he was just 19, the Blue Mosque or, to use its Turkish name, Sultanahmet Camii, was to rival and surpass Istanbul’s impressive Hagia Sophia and Suleymaniye Mosque. Designed by architect Sedefkâr Mehmed AÄŸa and completed in 1616, the Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul’s most distinct landmarks and, with its six minarets, a stunning sight from the outside. But, it is only when you enter the building that you realise why it is known as the Blue Mosque.

Covering the majority of the interior walls are over 20,000 Isnik tiles. These intricate ceramics were originally based on Chinese models during the Byzantine era (the Eastern Roman Empire) but the Ottoman Empire developed its own style during the 15th and 16th century, incorporating more colours.

Many of the blue Isnik tiles are in areas inaccessible for tourists so there are all sorts of colours on display. It is an impressive sight. But, there are a number of dos and don’ts you should know about when visiting the Blue Mosque (much of which apply to many other mosques too).

WHEN TO GO

Don’t go during set prayer times, in particular, Friday mornings.

Do go early morning or mid afternoon (we went around 5.30pm).

Do use the right entrance, there is a separate one for tourists and for those going to pray. Just follow the crowd.

Do take lots of pictures of the outside

Do take care of all your belongings when outside the mosque, it is a very busy touristy area.

The Blue Mosque, Istanbul

CLOTHING

Women – DO try to take a scarf to cover your head and wear loose fitting trousers to your ankle (I had leggings on and this was deemed unacceptable).

BUT don’t worry if you haven’t! The mosque is very well run and set up for tourists. As you go in they will lend you a blue headscarf and material to cover your legs if are not appropriately dressed.

Do take your shoes off (plastic bags are provided for you to put them in)

Don’t put them back on until you are out of the mosque.

Do dispose of the plastic bag appropriately (in the bin)!

Do give any borrowed clothing back at the end.

PHOTOS

Do take pictures of the Isnik tiles the mosque is famous for (although be prepared for the wired staging hanging from the ceilings).

Don’t use flash photography or take pictures of anyone praying.

The Blue Mosque, Istanbul

INSIDE THE MOSQUE

Do be respectful at all times. It is a working mosque.

Don’t cross through the barriers and disturb those praying.

Don’t bother taking a tour guide – it’s not big enough to warrant one.

Don’t feel you have to stay too long. It is beautiful but aside from the tiles there isn’t a lot to see – max time inside 15-20 minutes.

Those are just a few dos and don’ts – and believe me. Some may sound obvious but we did spy a fair few tourists breaking them!

Have you ever visited the Blue Mosque? Or Istanbul? What did you think? I would love to know your thoughts, just comment below.

Inside the Blue Mosque, Istanbul <ol></ol> <p>

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Find out the correct etiquette when visiting The Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

Wander Mum
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Wander Mum

I've always loved to travel so when my two daughters came along, I didn't stop. Travelling as a family can have its ups and downs but I love showing my children the world and helping others navigate travelling with children in tow.

57 Comments
    1. Thanks Vic, it’s a beautiful and extremely interesting city. I wasn’t totally aware of all the customs so thought this would be helpful for other. Thanks for hosting #pocolo xx

  1. I’ve visited Istanbul years ago and did visit the Blue Mosque as well. I was in a group with a tour guide so she told us everything about what not to do inside the mosque! It’s a magnificent building !
    Anna recently posted…Instagram {aspects} #16My Profile

  2. I think the Blue Mosque is such a stunning building. Great tip to know for when I get to go to Istanbul! Lovely photos Elizabeth but I bet they don’t compare to seeing it in the flesh. Thanks so much for linking up with #MondayEscapes
    Ting at My Travel Monkey recently posted…Monday Escapes #7My Profile

    1. Thanks Ting! It’s hard to capture the full beauty in pics – you’ll definitely have to go sometime. Thanks for hosting #mondayescapes xx

    1. Yes, you are right. There are so many amazing sights in Istanbul. The Blue Mosque is stunning but so are a lot of the buildings. I loved the Hagia Sofia. X

  3. I’ve long wanted to go to Istanbul and would really love to see the Blue Mosque. These are great tips and I’ll make sure to refer back to them as and when we make it there, thanks! #mondayescapes

  4. An absolute must on our travel list, thanks for the thoughtful list of Do’s an Don’ts- especially about the guided tour, always hard to know if you should bother with these or not. After several years living only minutes away from the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi I was so pleased when I finally took a guided tour – now I know what I’m pointing at when I take visitors!! #MondayEscapes
    Keri recently posted…Expat Parenting in PakistanMy Profile

    1. Thanks Keri! We got a guide for a few of the other historical buildings like the Hagia Sofia but even he said there’s not much point for the Blue Mosque! That’s great you can give your visitors a guided tour of the Grand Mosque now!! X

  5. Great tips Elizabeth, I think if you are not used to someone’s culture, it can be easy to get it wrong…I have lasting memories of a mortifying error on my part when visiting a Hindu Temple at school! I put it down to the excitement of being there 🙂

    Thanks for linking up to #TheList xx
    Hannah Parker recently posted…Exercises to do at homeMy Profile

    1. Oh no! Well, at least you can get away with it when a child…. when you’re an adult, people are less forgiving. It’s very easy to get it wrong. Thanks for hosting #thelist x

  6. It looks a beautiful place. Excellent tips to make sure a visit isn’t spoiled by making a faux-pas which can be easily done.
    #citytripping

    1. Thank you Clare. We got a tour guide for some of the other sights like the Hagia Sophia but even he said we didn’t need one for the Blue Mosque.

  7. It took my breath away when we visited! So beautiful and such an interesting history as well. I agree with you, it is very well run which is an incredible feat with the number of people and tourists entering and exiting for different purposes. Great post and thanks for organizing the linkup! #citytripping. Happy to be a part of it.
    Lillian @ The Smalls Abroad recently posted…Life Lately: The FirstMy Profile

  8. When I visited years ago, I took a sarong to wrap around my shorts ( I knew that I needed to be covered), I was also wearing a T shirt that did not show any cleavage, however this was deemed not covered enough and had to added a second scarf to use as a shawl to stay covered as well as the one over my head. I’ll have to dig out the photo – I was looking quite fetching 😉
    Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted…How to Get Your Family OutdoorsMy Profile

  9. There was a time when I knew Istanbul well, visiting many times over a period of 3-4 years but that was so long ago I’m sure the place has changed enormously. What hasn’t changed however is the Blue Mosque (except for visitor numbers no doubt). I remember it as stunning and love seeing your photos again. These are great tips for people who aren’t sure of local customs. I’d love to go back and show my kids.
    Phoebe @ Lou Messugo recently posted…Sunday Photo – 6 March 2016My Profile

    1. Thanks Phoebe. I really enjoyed visiting Istanbul – you should definitely go again with the kids – they would love I’m sure. Thanks for linking to #citytripping

  10. I’m so looking forward to visiting Istanbul. Thanks for the great tips – it’s so important to be culturally sensitive when visiting places of worship. I also liked your suggestion to allocate 15-20 minutes to the visit – great for planning. #citytripping
    Katy recently posted…How to visit London in winterMy Profile

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