Every year many tourists travel to Istanbul to see the impressive and magnificent historical places. While Istanbul was the capital city of the Ottoman Empire for 470 years, the ruins of the Ottoman Empire continue to be seen and visited by thousands of people as the important artifacts today. There are numerous mosques that have a special and unique structure in Istanbul that everyone should see before leaving the city. We prepared an awesome guide of the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul that you should visit if you are planning to travel to the magnificent city Istanbul!
Hagia Sophia Mosque: Discover the Breath-Taking World Heritage
Hagia Sophia was built in the years between 532 and 537 by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. It was the biggest cathedral in the world until 1507. Hagia Sophia makes Istanbul a more special and unique city for 1483 years. Also, Hagia Sophia is a world heritage that should be seen not only by those who are interested but also by all people living in the world. In addition to that, Hagia Sophia is one of the UNESCO World Heritage at the same time. People, who would like to travel to Istanbul, must know that the structure and the architecture of Hagia Sophia will make everyone impressed once they enter.
Visiting Hours: 09:00-17:00, last entry 16:00 (winter) / 09:00-19:00, last entry 18:00 (summer), closed until 13:00 on first days of the religious days.
Museum Entry Price: 72 Turkish Liras for adults, free for people under 18.
Sultan Ahmet Mosque / Blue Mosque: Meet with the Impressive Structure
Sultan Ahmet Mosque or Blue Mosque was built in the years between 1609 and 1617 by Sultan Ahmed of the Ottoman Empire. The blue color is the most dominant color of the structure on Sultan Ahmet Mosque and that is why it is also known as Blue Mosque, too. There are six minarets on the Mosque and it is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage. If you are planning to visit Hagia Sophia, you will be able to visit Sultan Ahmet Mosque easily because they are significantly near to each other. If you are ready to be impressed by the tile and ceramic work of the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, you need to plan your holiday right now.
Visiting Hours: 08:30-17:00 (winter) / 08:30-19:00 (summer), last entry is 30 minutes before closing. On Friday the mosque is opening at 14:30 for visitors. It closes 30 minutes before the azan and 15 minutes after the azan for visitors.
Suleymaniye Mosque: Classical Architecture of the Ottoman Empire
Suleymaniye Mosque was built in the years between 1550 and 1557 by Mimar Sinan who is a worthy architect for the history of the Ottoman Empire. When you visit the Suleymaniye Mosque, you will be able to learn more about the classical architecture of the Ottoman Empire. The mosque is also known as the best mosque that shows the Ottoman architecture most. The impressive decoration and the lightings make the environment more impressed in the Suleymaniye Mosque. If you would like to have more knowledge about the Ottoman architecture, you need to visit the Suleymaniye Mosque.
Visiting Hours: 09:00-18:00
Eyup Sultan Mosque: Touch the Traces of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire
Eyup Sultan Mosque has the great importance for the history of Istanbul. If you would like to touch the traces of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire, Eyup Sultan Mosque is one of the most preferred mosques for that. In addition to that, you will be able to see the Ottoman architecture closely at the Eyup Sultan Mosque at the same time. The unique structure of the mosque will make you impressed instantly. If you would like to visit Eyup Sultan Mosque, it is located in the Eyupsultan district of Istanbul.
Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours for worship and visiting
Ortakoy Mosque / Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque (Grand Imperial Mosque of Sultan Abdulmecid): Impressive Structure on the Magnificent Bosphorus
Buyuk Mecidiye Mosque or Ortakoy Mosque was built in the years between 1853 and 1854. It is located in the Besiktas district of Istanbul Province. When you visit Ortakoy Mosque, you will be able to see the neo-baroque architecture. It is built by Sultan Abdulmecid of the Ottoman Empire. The impressive structure makes everyone impressed. In addition to that, the location of the mosque is also stunning because it is located on the Bosphorus. While you can visit the mosque, you will also be impressed by the magnificent Bosphorus of Istanbul.
Visiting Hours: 08:30-18:00
Rustem Pasha Mosque: Discover the Ottoman Architecture
Rustem Pasha Mosque is located in the Fatih district of Istanbul Province. If you would like to visit Rustem Pasha Mosque, you need to go to the Tahtakale neighborhood of the Fatih district. Spice Bazaar and Strawmat Weavers Market is also significantly close to the mosque. Rustem Pasha Mosque was built in the years between 1561 and 1563 by Mimar Sinan who is an extremely worth architect for the Ottoman Empire. If you would like to know more about the Ottoman architecture, you can discover Rustem Pasha Mosque.
Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours, except worship hours.
New Mosque / Valide Sultan Mosque: Last Greatest Mosque of the Ottoman Empire
New Mosque or Valide Sultan Sultan Mosque was built in the years between 1597 and 1665. It is the last great mosque that was built by the Ottoman Empire. The structure of the mosque is extremely special and unique and also it is the longest mosque to be built in the history of the Ottoman Empire. The Valide Sultan Mosque is located in the Eminonu district of Istanbul Province. It is possible to go to the mosque in various ways and it is significantly easy to reach at the same time.
Visiting Hours: 08:30-16:45 (except worship hours)
Sancaklar Mosque: A Modern Design of the Religious Building
If you would like to see different and unique architecture, you need to see the Sancaklar Mosque, if you are traveling to Istanbul. It is located in the Buyukcekmece district of Istanbul Province and it was designed by the architect Emre Arolat. When you visit Sancaklar Mosque, you will be able to see a modern mosque design. Besides that, the building received the Religious Building of the Year Award for 2015 by ArchDaily. This modern mosque has an extremely unique structure and breath-taking design. It is possible to feel like in another world in the Sancaklar Mosque.
Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours, except worship hours.
Mihrimah Sultan Mosque: Learn More about the Iconic Mosque
Mihrimah Sultan Mosque is located in the Edirnekapi district of Istanbul Province. It was built in the years between 1562 and 1565 by Mimar Sinan. The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque has a rectangular plan and the dome height of the mosque is 37 meters. If you would like to visit the iconic Istanbul mosques, Mihrimah Sultan Mosque would be a great choice, and also it has a special story.
Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours, except worship hours.
