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 Ağa 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.
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.
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.
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What a beautiful mosque – that roof is stunning. These are such great tips – especially if people are not familiar with the local culture and traditions. I hope to get to Istanbul one day. Thanks for linking to #PoCoLo x
Verily Victoria Vocalises recently posted…Ovusense. Because Knowledge is Power.
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
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} #16
It’s beautiful – as are so many buildings in Istanbul! Loved it x
The Blue Mosque was a beautiful sight! Didn’t get to do all the things I wanted to while in Istanbul (twice), so have to go back again 🙂
#mondayescapes
beatravelling recently posted…What’s Up in Wellington?
It’s such a fantastic city- I’ll definitely be going back too at some point! Xx
What a beautiful looking building, I’d not heard of it before but looks stuning, and great advice as well 🙂
Ashley Beolens recently posted…Dad Post Of The Week 3
Thanks! It’s a fabulous place. Loved Istanbul. Xx
Really beautiful, and so important to know all of the etiquette. Great post, thanks for sharing it!
Crysta @ WellWornSuitcase recently posted…Bahamas: Visiting the Atlantis Resort
Thank you! Hope it’s helpful for others. X
Thanks for the tips, this is really helpful should I visit Istanbul one day. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Kat, you’re welcome. X
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 #7
Thanks Ting! It’s hard to capture the full beauty in pics – you’ll definitely have to go sometime. Thanks for hosting #mondayescapes xx
Such a beautiful place! Thanks for all the tips. You do not really think about timing the visit at the right moment.
Ruth recently posted…626 Night Market
Thanks Ruth x
Useful tips – I completely agree this should be on the list for Istanbul but you don’t need hours. I picked up a headscarf from one of the stalls nearby too, which is lovely, thin and silky and I still wear it! #mondayescapes
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…11 things… you didn’t know about me
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
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
Thanks Katja. It’s an amazing city! Xx
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
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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
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 home
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
Beautiful! I have always wondered why they built a second mosque after Hagia Sophia but I guess it’s just for the main purpose of having another mosque in the city.
Pinay Flying High recently posted…The Entertainer Qatar | Lunch at Open Restaurant, Doubletree by Hilton Doha
The Hagia Sophia used to be a church so guess they also wanted a more architecturally suitable place of worship too.
Such a concise and useful list! I’ve never been to the Blue Mosque and I’m sure this list would come in useful when I do! #CityTripping
Bumble Bee Mum recently posted…{Travel Tuesday #32} Tokyo Fire Museum – Fun for Free in Tokyo, Japan!
Thank you! Hope you get to go sometime soon x
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
Thanks Trish – it is very easy to do!
I don’t know when I’ll finally visit Istanbul, but your posts on it are awesome! Great list of what to expect and how to be culturally acceptable. Love the #citytripping link-up!
Christy Swagerty (whatupswags) recently posted…6 Miracles in Milano
Thanks Christy – you’d love Istanbul. Thank you for all your support with #citytripping xx
Just stunning! I’ve not stayed in Istanbul before but the husband has. Useful tips x #cutytripping
Rebecca | AAUBlog recently posted…Win £50 Voucher for Baby Swimming Shop
Thanks Rebecca…you should definitely visit at some point. x
Some really useful tips. I’d love to go one day. It’s always good to know when you do and don’t need a tour guide and very helpful to know how long a visit is likely to take. Lovely photos of the interior! #citytripping
Clare Thomson (Suitcases and Sandcastles) recently posted…A Photo Tour of Sintra
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.
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 First
Yes, incredibly well organised! Very sleek indeed. Thanks for linking to #citytripping ! x
I’ve visited it years ago. It’s stunning! #city tripping
Tanja (the Red phone box travels) recently posted…From beach to beer
It was amazing to see it.
This is so useful! Blue Mosque is on my list of places I need to see so will be saving this post for sure thanks so much! 🙂 #citytripping
My pleasure – glad you found it helpful!
Great list – it’s amazing how stupid tourists can be…
Lydia C. Lee recently posted…Valentine’s Day in Sydney? Romance for visitors
Haha. Some, certainly.
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 Outdoors
Sorry forgot #CityTripping
Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted…How to Get Your Family Outdoors
Haha – that look sounds brilliant! They really are rather strict!
Love the Blue Mosque, good list! Tourists can be so silly. Istanbul is an amazing city, hope to make it back some day. #citytripping
Corey with fifi + hop recently posted…Mohawk Mountain
Thank you. It is a fascinating city!
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 2016
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
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 winter
Thanks Katy! Yes, it’s good to know how long to spend in all these places. X
Great re-visiting this post. I would love to see The Blue Mosque. It’s definitely on my list. Istanbul looks such a vibrant city. The tiles are just stunning. #citytripping
Ting at My Travel Monkey recently posted…Monday Escapes #30
You’d love Istanbul Ting!! X
Wasn’t too sure about the dos and don’ts when visiting, but it all went very well. Beautiful mosque for sure!
beatravelling recently posted…Melbourne’s Street Art
It’s stunning