Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) Tours and Tickets

Inside the Blue Mosque, you’ll see over 20,000 tiles with 50 different tulip patterns, each an exquisite shade of blue. There are also 12 types of marble, spectacular columns, arches, domes, 200 stained glass windows, chandeliers, and verses from the Qur'an inscribed in the walls, most everything dating back to the 1600s.

Your interest in history, religion, and architecture will determine how long you’ll want to spend inside the Blue Mosque, but most visitors typically spend 1–2 hours. And with admission being free, even if you don’t have that much time, it’s worth it to stop by and see this incomparable Turkish landmark.

Many tourists visit the Blue Mosque because it’s simply spectacular to look at—20,000 handmade tiles, all shades of blue, in one architectural masterpiece. Others visit because of its importance to Istanbul and the former Ottoman Empire. And yet others utilize it as an active prayer place; prayer services are still held here daily.

Yes, admission into Istanbul’s Blue Mosque is free, though donations are welcome. It’s typically open every day of the week, though it’s closed to non-worshippers before and after the daily call to prayer, plus every Friday until 2:30pm. With the Istanbul E-pass, guided tours are free as well.

Yes, non-Muslims can visit the Blue Mosque, though only at select times. The structure is closed to non-worshippers 45 minutes before and 15 minutes after the daily call to prayer and on Fridays until 2:30pm. If you visit, know there’s also a dress code—make sure your shoulders and knees are covered, regardless of gender.

Yes, you can technically wear leggings to and inside a mosque, like Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, but you’ll still be asked to wear a wrap around your legs for modesty. At most mosques, that wrap will be provided for free. Which is to say, it may be easier to wear something else.