Istanbul Travel Blog

An Insider's Guide to Istanbul

ISTANBUL MOSQUES Opening Hours (Updated 2026)

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If you want to truly understand Istanbul, sooner or later you need to step inside one of its mosques.

From the monumental domes of Ottoman imperial mosques to the quiet neighborhood sanctuaries built in the early Republic years, these spaces are far more than places of worship. They are living parts of the city—where history, architecture, and everyday life continue side by side. Sometimes you’ll hear nothing but birds in the courtyard; sometimes the soft echo of footsteps on centuries-old stone.

As a licensed tour guide who has spent many years walking Istanbul’s streets with travelers from around the world, I’m asked the same questions again and again:
👉 Which mosques are worth visiting?
👉 Are they really free to enter?
👉 And when is the best time to go inside without interrupting prayers?

This guide brings together 20 of the most remarkable mosques in Istanbul, from world-famous landmarks like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia to lesser-known gems such as Rüstem Pasha or Beylerbeyi Mosque. For each one, you’ll find up-to-date information for 2026, including visiting hours, entrance rules, and a few practical insights drawn from my experience as a guide.

Most mosques in Istanbul are free to visit, which makes them some of the city’s most rewarding—and budget-friendly—cultural experiences. However, visiting hours are not fixed. They change throughout the year depending on prayer times, daylight, and special religious days. That’s exactly why this article is updated regularly, so you can plan your visit with confidence.

Whether you’re interested in Islamic architecture, traveling with a camera, or simply looking to experience Istanbul beyond its busiest tourist routes, this guide is designed to help you slow down and connect with the city’s spiritual rhythm.

Let’s begin.

Insider’s Note: Mosques in Istanbul are active places of worship, so modest clothing is expected when visiting.
  • Women: Hair, shoulders, and legs should be covered before entering the prayer area.
  • Men: Shorts above the knees and sleeveless tops are generally discouraged.
  • All Visitors: Shoes must be removed before entering the carpeted prayer halls.

1. Blue Mosque

View from the courtyard of the Blue Mosque showing the ablution fountain, cascading domes and semi-domes, and the mosque’s soaring minarets rising behind them, photo by Serhat Engul

Blue Mosque is the most famous mosque in Istanbul due to its perfect location and blue tiles. Located in the heart of the Old City, the Blue Mosque is adjacent to the most important tourist attractions of Istanbul such as Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.

Blue Mosque Opening Hours

Blue Mosque usually opens to visitors at 08:30 in the morning. Visiting hours are interrupted during the five daily prayer times, and access resumes shortly after each prayer. On Fridays, the mosque remains closed to visitors until after the Friday prayer, typically reopening in the early afternoon.

Opening hours may also vary slightly by season. For example, in May 2026, the mosque generally closes around 18:30, while summer closing times are later.

Blue Mosque Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee to visit the Blue Mosque. As you exit, you may hear a short announcement inviting visitors to make a donation. This is completely optional, but contributions help support the upkeep of this active place of worship.

Insider’s Note: The Blue Mosque is an essential stop for first-time visitors, thanks to its location and iconic architecture. Like all active mosques, it closes during prayer times — but because of its popularity and crowd management needs, these breaks can feel slightly longer than at other mosques. If your timing is tight, it’s best to plan your visit either earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon.

2. Hagia Sophia Mosque

Worshippers praying on the turquoise carpeted ground floor of Hagia Sophia seen from the Empress Lodge in the upper gallery, while tourists observe the scene between the marble columns above, photo by Serhat Engul

Hagia Sophia Mosque is essentially an Eastern Roman (Byzantine) structure built in the 6th century and is 1500 years old. Hagia Sophia, which has been a mosque since the 15th century, also served as a museum for a while.

Hagia Sophia Opening Hours

Hagia Sophia has two separate access areas with different visiting rules.

The upper floor galleries, which are open for touristic visits, follow seasonal opening hours. During the summer period (roughly April to October), they usually open at 08:00 in the morning, while in the winter season (November to March) opening time is typically 09:00. Closing hours also vary by season and visitor flow. For example, in May 2026, the upper galleries generally close around 19:00.

The ground floor remains an active prayer area. Access rules for this section depend on citizenship and purpose of visit, and are explained clearly below.

Hagia Sophia Entrance Fee

The entrance fee for visiting the upper floor galleries of Hagia Sophia is 25 EUR. This ticket applies only to touristic visits.

Access to the ground floor prayer area is free of charge but strictly limited to worship purposes during prayer times, subject to the rules outlined below.

Insider’s Note: For Muslim visitors without Turkish citizenship, the ground floor prayer area of Hagia Sophia is generally accessible during prayer times and for worship purposes. Turkish citizens can usually enter the same area throughout the day by presenting a valid Turkish ID card.

3. Suleymaniye Mosque

Wide-angle interior view of Süleymaniye Mosque looking toward the mihrab, with the massive chandelier hanging low above the prayer hall while a passing visitor provides a sense of the building’s monumental scale, photo by Serhat Engul

Suleymaniye Mosque was built for Suleiman the Magnificent, the most famous sultan of the Ottoman Empire. It is also worth noting that the architect who built the mosque was Mimar Sinan, the most famous builder in Turkish history.

Suleymaniye Mosque Opening Hours

Suleymaniye Mosque usually opens to visitors at 08:30 in the morning. As an active place of worship, it closes temporarily during the five daily prayer times, with access resuming shortly after each prayer. On Fridays, the mosque remains closed to visitors until after the Friday prayer, typically reopening in the early afternoon.

Visiting hours may vary slightly by season. For example, in May 2026, the mosque generally closes around 18:30, while summer closing times are later.

Suleymaniye Mosque Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee to visit the Suleymaniye Mosque. After your visit, you may notice a donation box near the exit. Donations are completely optional, but they help support the upkeep of this historic mosque complex.

Insider’s Note: Often overshadowed by the Blue Mosque, the Suleymaniye Mosque is actually the largest mosque in Istanbul. Beyond its impressive scale and elegant architecture, two things make it especially significant: it was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent, the most powerful sultan of the Ottoman Empire, and designed by Sinan, the empire’s most celebrated architect.

4. Fatih Mosque

Local and foreign visitors admiring the massive dome and elephant-foot pillars inside Fatih Mosque

Fatih Mosque was built for Mehmed II, the first Ottoman sultan to rule in Istanbul. This Ottoman ruler who conquered Constantinople is also known as Mehmed the Conqueror. Fatih Mosque, one of the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul, rises on the foundations of the Church of the Holy Apostles, which was also a legendary building.

Fatih Mosque Opening Hours

Fatih Mosque usually opens to visitors at 08:30 in the morning. As an active place of worship, it closes temporarily during the five daily prayer times, with access resuming shortly after each prayer. On Fridays, the mosque remains closed to visitors until after the Friday prayer, typically reopening in the early afternoon.

Visiting hours may vary slightly by season. For example, in May 2026, the mosque generally closes around 18:30, while summer closing times are later.

Fatih Mosque Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee to visit the Fatih Mosque. After your visit, you may notice a donation box near the exit. Donations are completely optional and help cover the mosque’s daily maintenance and operating costs.

5. Bayezid Mosque

Reused porphyry columns at the courtyard entrance of Bayezid Mosque framing the mosque’s distinctive ablution fountain and central dome in the background

Bayezid Mosque is a mosque dedicated to Bayezid II, son of Mehmed the Conqueror. The mosque, which is very close to the Grand Bazaar, is adjacent to Bayezid Square, one of the largest squares in Istanbul, and Istanbul University.

Bayezid Mosque Opening Hours

Bayezid Mosque opening hours are between 08:30 in the morning and 18:30 in the evening in 2026. The mosque is closed to visitors during prayer hours. As an exception, it is closed for half a day on Fridays until 14:30 due to congregational prayers.

Bayezid Mosque Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee to the Bayezid Mosque in 2026. You can make a reasonable donation after visiting this mosque, which is famous for its magnificent colorful columns in the courtyard.

6. Yavuz Selim Mosque

Worshippers praying inside the relatively simple interior of Yavuz Selim Mosque compared to Istanbul’s other imperial mosques

Yavuz Selim Mosque remains on the far side of Old Istanbul from Sultanahmet, but is very close to the Fener and Balat districts, which have become very popular in recent years. The mosque is dedicated to the sultan who tripled the borders of the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 16th century.

Yavuz Selim Mosque Opening Hours

Yavuz Selim Mosque is generally open to visitors between 08:30 and 18:30 in 2026. Since it remains an active place of worship, touristic visits pause during daily prayer times. On Fridays, the mosque is typically closed to visitors until around 14:30 because of congregational prayers.

Yavuz Selim Mosque Entrance Fee

Entrance to the Yavuz Selim Mosque is free of charge in 2026. Visitors who appreciate the peaceful atmosphere of this hilltop mosque may leave a small voluntary donation for its upkeep after their visit.

7. Mihrimah Sultan Mosque

Interior of Mihrimah Sultan Mosque with its tall window-filled walls and elegant arches rising upward like a birdcage beneath a graceful central dome

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque is located in the Edirnekapi district of Old Istanbul, close to the ancient city walls. Mihrimah was the daughter of Sultan Suleiman and his famous wife Hurrem Sultan. By the way, there is another mosque in Uskudar on the Asian Side, dedicated to Mihrimah Sultan.

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque Opening Hours

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque opening hours are between 08:30 in the morning and 18:30 in the evening in 2026. The mosque is closed to visitors during prayer hours. As an exception, it is closed for half a day on Fridays until 14:30 due to congregational prayers.

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee to the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque in 2026. You can visit this elegant mosque, built by the famous Ottoman architect Sinan, without paying any fee.

Insider’s Note: Up to this point, we’ve mostly covered the grand imperial mosques built for Ottoman sultans. These larger complexes tend to remain closed longer around prayer times due to crowd control. From here on, you’ll encounter mostly smaller neighborhood mosques, where visiting hours are generally more flexible. In most cases, they close about 30 minutes before prayer and reopen shortly after the prayer ends.

8. Little Hagia Sophia Mosque

Sixth-century Byzantine column capitals, carved marble decorations, and the long Greek inscription describing the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus extending across the interior of Little Hagia Sophia Mosque, photo by Serhat Engul

Little Hagia Sophia Mosque, like the original Hagia Sophia, is a Byzantine structure built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. The building was originally named Sergius and Bacchus Church and was renamed by the Ottomans after it was converted into a mosque in the 15th century.

Little Hagia Sophia Mosque Opening Hours

Little Hagia Sophia Mosque opening hours are between 08:30 in the morning and 18:30 in the evening in 2026. The mosque is closed to visitors during prayer hours. As an exception, it is closed for half a day on Fridays until 14:30 due to congregational prayers.

Little Hagia Sophia Mosque Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee to the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque in 2026. After visiting this unique building, which carries the common heritage of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, you can visit the handicrafts market in its courtyard.

9. Kariye Mosque

Red carpet covering the prayer area inside Kariye Mosque, with surviving mosaics of Jesus on the left side of the mihrab and the Virgin Mary on the right still visible, photo by Serhat Engul

Kariye Mosque is essentially a monastery church from the Byzantine period and is a unique structure with the Byzantine mosaics on its walls. The building, originally named Chora Church, is definitely among the best Byzantine monuments in Istanbul.

Kariye Mosque Opening Hours

Kariye Mosque operates with two different access modes: touristic visits and prayer access.

For touristic visits, the mosque is generally open between 09:00 and 18:00. However, due to its function as an active place of worship, touristic access is closed all day on Fridays because of congregational prayers. Access rules during prayer times are explained below.

Kariye Mosque Entrance Fee

The entrance fee for touristic visits to Kariye Mosque (formerly known as the Chora Church) is 20 EUR. This ticket applies to visitors entering outside prayer times to explore the historic interior.

Prayer access is free of charge. Foreign Muslim visitors may enter the mosque only during official prayer times and strictly for worship purposes.

The mosaics and frescoes of Kariye Mosque are too detailed and meaningful to fit into this short section. As a licensed Istanbul tour guide specializing in Byzantine history, I have prepared a more detailed overview of the building’s artistic background, visitor rules, and current access conditions in this complete Kariye Mosque and Chora Church guide.

Important: Unlike most mosques in Istanbul, the Kariye Mosque (formerly the Chora Church) remains closed to touristic visits all day on Fridays. This is due to its unique dual status as both an active mosque and a historical monument with museum-like features.

10. Nuruosmaniye Mosque

Interior of Nuruosmaniye Mosque showing the transition from classical Ottoman architecture to the early Ottoman Baroque style, with decorative baroque elements visible around the sultan’s lodge, mihrab, and minbar, photo by Serhat Engul

Nuruosmaniye Mosque is a wonderful 18th century structure adjacent to the Grand Bazaar. This mosque is one of the first Baroque style works at the time when traces of Westernization began to be seen in Ottoman architecture, and it attracts attention especially with its unique courtyard design.

Nuruosmaniye Mosque Opening Hours

Visitors can usually enter the Nuruosmaniye Mosque between 08:30 and 18:30 throughout 2026. However, access is temporarily restricted during prayer times, and Friday visits generally begin after 14:30 following the main noon prayer.

Nuruosmaniye Mosque Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee for visiting the Nuruosmaniye Mosque in 2026. As with many historic mosques in Istanbul, donation boxes near the exit help support the maintenance of the building.

11. The New Mosque

Yeni Mosque rising at the center of a royal Ottoman complex commissioned by a Valide Sultan, standing beside the Spice Bazaar in the heart of Eminönü

The New Mosque was built by the sultan’s mother, “Valide Sultan” as she was traditionally known. Mehmed IV’s mother, Hatice Turhan Sultan, built this mosque in 1665 as a complex with the Spice Bazaar next to it and the tomb where she would be buried.

New Mosque Opening Hours

New Mosque opening hours are between 08:30 in the morning and 18:30 in the evening in 2026. The mosque is closed to visitors during prayer hours. As an exception, it is closed for half a day on Fridays until 14:30 due to congregational prayers.

New Mosque Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee to the New Mosque in 2026. You can visit this magnificent mosque, which shapes the silhouette of the Old City, for free and donate any amount you deem appropriate.

Insider’s Note: The New Mosque (Yeni Cami) holds a unique place in Ottoman history. It was commissioned by Safiye Sultan and completed decades later by Hatice Turhan Sultan — two influential royal women from the so-called Sultanate of Women period. Right next to the mosque stands the famous Spice Bazaar, which was originally built as part of this mosque’s charitable complex.

12. Sehzade Mosque

Native Istanbul resident and licensed tour guide Serhat Engul posing with open arms and a professional camera over his shoulder during a photography walk in the courtyard of Şehzade Mosque

Sehzade Mosque is a building dedicated to the son of the famous Ottoman sultan, Sultan Suleiman, who died at an early age. Located in the heart of the Historical Peninsula and adjacent to the Valens Aqueduct dating back to the Roman period, this mosque is among the must-see places in Istanbul.

Sehzade Mosque Opening Hours

Sehzade Mosque opening hours are between 08:30 in the morning and 18:30 in the evening in 2026. The mosque is closed to visitors during prayer hours. As an exception, it is closed for half a day on Fridays until 14:30 due to congregational prayers.

Sehzade Mosque Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee to the Sehzade Mosque in 2026. Sehzade Mosque is also adjacent to the other 16th century work on our list, Suleymaniye Mosque. When you visit the Sehzade Mosque, look carefully at the magnificent stone carvings on its minarets, because this type of workmanship is not found in any other mosque in Istanbul.

Insider’s Note: According to a well-known historical anecdote, the Şehzade Mosque was originally intended to become the final resting place of Sultan Suleiman himself. When his beloved son, Şehzade Mehmed, died unexpectedly from smallpox, the project was instead dedicated to him. This sudden change later inspired architect Sinan to design a far more monumental mosque for the sultan — the magnificent Süleymaniye.

13. Rustem Pasha Mosque

Blue İznik tiles covering nearly every wall surface inside Rüstem Pasha Mosque, including the pendentives beneath the dome, while the central carpet reflects the same dominant blue tones, photo by Serhat Engul

Rustem Pasha Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul, with its magnificent Iznik tiles from the 16th century. Blue tiles in this mosque cover all the walls and this is actually the real blue mosque in Istanbul.

Rustem Pasha Mosque Opening Hours

Rustem Pasha Mosque can normally be visited from 08:30 to 18:30 in 2026. Because the mosque is actively used for worship, visitors are asked to wait outside during prayer services. On Fridays, touristic access usually resumes after 14:30.

Rustem Pasha Mosque Entrance Fee

Visiting the Rustem Pasha Mosque is free in 2026. Small purchases from the souvenir section near the entrance or optional donations are appreciated and help support the mosque staff.

Insider’s Note: I often recommend the Rüstem Pasha Mosque on my private tours — it’s one of Istanbul’s true hidden gems. Most visitors have never heard of it before, but they trust the suggestion. And almost without exception, when we finally step inside and they notice the extraordinary Iznik tile work, their reaction says it all: this is usually the moment they’re happiest they followed the path less traveled.

14. Eyup Sultan Mosque

Locals who pray at the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari often continue to the nearby Eyüp Sultan Mosque, the interior of which is shown in the picture.

Eyup Sultan Mosque rises where it is believed to be the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, one of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, and is therefore the most sacred of the mosques in Istanbul.

Eyup Sultan Mosque Opening Hours

Eyup Sultan Mosque opening hours are between 08:30 in the morning and 18:30 in the evening in 2026. The mosque is closed to visitors during prayer hours. As an exception, it is closed for half a day on Fridays until 14:30 due to congregational prayers.

Eyup Sultan Mosque Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee to the Eyup Sultan Mosque in 2026. After visiting Eyup Sultan, one of the oldest mosques in Istanbul, you can take the cable car in this district on the shores of the Golden Horn and go up to Pierre Loti hill.

Insider’s Note: The Eyüp Sultan Mosque is one of the few places in Istanbul where you’ll consistently see more locals than tourists. Considered one of the city’s holiest sites, it attracts Istanbulites throughout the week — not just on weekends. Many Muslim travelers from abroad also come here to visit the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, which gives the area a deeply spiritual and lived-in atmosphere.

15. Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque

Interior of Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque commissioned by the Italian-born Ottoman admiral Occhiali after joining the Ottoman navy, photo by Serhat Engul

Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque was built in the 16th century for one of the famous admirals of Ottoman history. The admiral, who was originally Italian and whose name was Giovanni Dionigi Galeni (aka Occhiali), built this mosque as a small copy of Hagia Sophia.

Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque Opening Hours

Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque opening hours are between 08:30 in the morning and 18:30 in the evening in 2026. The mosque is closed to visitors during prayer hours. As an exception, it is closed for half a day on Fridays until 14:30 due to congregational prayers.

Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee to the Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque in 2026. The Kilic Ali Pasha Mosque complex also has the Kilic Ali Pasha Hamami, which is among the best Turkish baths in Istanbul.

Important: If you visit the Kılıç Ali Pasha Mosque early in the morning, you may find the main entrance on the street side closed. Don’t worry — there is a small side entrance near the Tophane Fountain, usually covered with a green curtain, which remains open throughout the day. Knowing this in advance can save you time and unnecessary confusion.

16. Nusretiye Mosque

Nusretiye Mosque photographed from one of the cafés near Galataport, with its slender pencil-like minarets representing one of the earliest Ottoman baroque mosques of the 19th century, photo by Serhat Engul

Nusretiye Mosque was built by Mahmud II, who started the Westernization in the Ottoman Empire. For this reason, the influence of European architecture is clearly seen in the mosque. The mosque, which has Baroque and Neo-Classical details, is next to Galataport.

Nusretiye Mosque Opening Hours

Nusretiye Mosque is generally accessible to visitors between 08:30 and 18:30 in 2026. Similar to other active mosques in Istanbul, entry may be limited during prayer hours, especially around Friday noon prayers until approximately 14:30.

Nusretiye Mosque Entrance Fee

There is no ticket required to enter the Nusretiye Mosque in 2026. Since the mosque stands close to Galataport, many visitors combine their visit with nearby museums, cafés, and waterfront walks.

17. Dolmabahce Mosque

View from a Bosphorus cruise boat showing the richly baroque and neoclassical façade of Dolmabahçe Mosque with its two elegant minarets along the waterfront, photo by Serhat Engul

Dolmabahce Mosque was built for Bezmialem Valide Sultan, the mother of Abdulmejid, one of the most important Ottoman rulers of the 19th century. Today, this mosque is located in the heart of modern Istanbul and neighbors the Dolmabahce Palace.

Dolmabahce Mosque Opening Hours

Dolmabahce Mosque opening hours are between 08:30 in the morning and 18:30 in the evening in 2026. The mosque is closed to visitors during prayer hours. As an exception, it is closed for half a day on Fridays until 14:30 due to congregational prayers.

Dolmabahce Mosque Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee to the Dolmabahce Mosque in 2026. After visiting the mosque, you can visit the Dolmabahce Palace next to it. Both buildings are located in the most beautiful part of the Bosphorus.

18. Ortakoy Mosque

Crowds gathering around Ortaköy Mosque during springtime while locals take souvenir photos along the Bosphorus waterfront in pleasant weather, photo by Serhat Engul

Ortakoy Mosque is among the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul with its elegant architecture and excellent location on the shores of the Bosphorus. Inside the mosque, there are the most beautiful examples of 19th century Ottoman decorative art, and there is a Bosphorus view from its windows.

Ortakoy Mosque Opening Hours

Ortakoy Mosque opening hours are between 08:30 in the morning and 18:30 in the evening in 2026. The mosque is closed to visitors during prayer hours. As an exception, it is closed for half a day on Fridays until 14:30 due to congregational prayers.

Ortakoy Mosque Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee to the Ortakoy Mosque in 2026. After visiting Ortakoy Mosque, you can do the walk from Ortakoy to Bebek, which I always recommend as one of the best things to do in Istanbul.

Insider’s Note: With its elegant Baroque architecture, the Ortaköy Mosque is one of the most graceful mosques in Istanbul — and one of the most photogenic. Set right on the Bosphorus shoreline, it offers a stunning view of the water and the Bosphorus Bridge, making it a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. From inside, the shimmering reflections of the Bosphorus add a unique atmosphere to its already delicate interior.

19. Beylerbeyi Mosque

View of Beylerbeyi Mosque photographed from a Şehir Hatları ferry during a Bosphorus cruise, showing the arched portico at the entrance and the dome rising above it, photo by Serhat Engul

Beylerbeyi Mosque is one of the rare Ottoman imperial mosques on the Asian side of Istanbul. The mosque was built together with Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of the sultans, and has Baroque and Neo-Classical architectural styles.

Beylerbeyi Mosque Opening Hours

Beylerbeyi Mosque usually welcomes visitors between 08:30 and 18:30 in 2026. Access may occasionally pause during prayer times, and Friday visits are generally possible only after 14:30.

Beylerbeyi Mosque Entrance Fee

The Beylerbeyi Mosque can be visited free of charge in 2026. After exploring the mosque, many travelers continue toward nearby Kuzguncuk, one of the most charming historic neighborhoods on Istanbul’s Asian side.

20. Camlica Mosque

Çamlıca Mosque standing on one of Istanbul’s highest hills during winter, with its domes and surrounding landscape covered in snow

Camlica Mosque is the youngest among the large mosques of Istanbul. The recently built mosque is inspired by classical period Ottoman architecture and is one of the most distinctive works in the skyline of Istanbul’s Asian Side.

Camlica Mosque Opening Hours

Camlica Mosque opening hours are between 08:30 in the morning and 18:30 in the evening in 2026. The mosque is closed to visitors during prayer hours. As an exception, it is closed for half a day on Fridays until 14:30 due to congregational prayers.

Camlica Mosque Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee to the Camlica Mosque in 2026. After visiting this mosque, you can wander around Camlica Hill and take wonderful panoramic photos of Istanbul.

On-Site Verification: The opening hours, visitor access rules, prayer-time restrictions, and practical visiting advice in this Istanbul Mosques guide were reviewed and updated in May 2026 by licensed Istanbul tour guide Serhat Engul, based on more than 20 years of professional guiding experience across Istanbul’s historic mosques. As active places of worship, mosque visiting hours may occasionally change depending on daily prayer schedules, Friday congregational prayers, religious holidays, or restoration works. Major mosques in central tourist areas usually follow more structured visitor hours, while smaller neighborhood mosques may remain accessible more flexibly depending on the discretion of local staff. For the most accurate and up-to-date prayer schedules in Istanbul, visitors can also check the official website of Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet): namazvakitleri.diyanet.gov.tr.
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About Serhat Engul

Hello, I'm Serhat Engul. I am a licensed tour guide living in Istanbul. I designed this blog to give general information to visitors to Istanbul. If you want to go on a private guided tour of Istanbul with me, you can check my references from the ABOUT section and write to me via the CONTACT page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. blankjavier says

    Hola: He visto en Internet que rustem pasha camii y yeni camii abren a las 7 horas. No se corresponde con tus horarios es cierto? Gracias

    Reply

    • blankSerhat Engul says

      Hola, la última vez que actualicé el horario de entrada a la mezquita fue en enero. Ahora que los días son más largos, es posible que el horario de entrada se haya extendido un poco más. Creo que ahora se puede visitar hasta las 18:30. Iré a la Ciudad Vieja en unos días; lo revisaré y actualizaré ese día.

      Hello, I last updated the mosque entrance hours in January. Now that the days are longer, the entrance hours may have been extended a little later. I think you can visit until 18:30 now. I will go to the Old City in a few days, I will check and update that day.

      Reply

  2. blankSoeun says

    Thanks for the info on mosques. I would like to visit the Yeni Mosque, which is not listed here. What are the opening hours for tourists?

    Reply

      • blankSoeun says

        Thanks for the good information. However, I understand that non-Muslim tourists are only allowed to enter during certain times. Could you tell me what time we can visit?

        Reply

        • blankSerhat Engul says

          Hi Soeun, the visiting hours of mosques change constantly depending on the length of the day. For this reason, I cannot share the exact hours with you. However, maybe this image here (although not up-to-date) can give you a general idea.

          Reply

  3. blankOlivier Janicaud says

    Hello

    Will Kariye Mosque be open next summer? It’s not very clear for me.

    Same questions for Galata tower (but I’m afraid you will confirm it will still be closed) and for the Museum of Ancient Orient (which seems to be closed for renovation).

    Thank you

    Reply

    • blankSerhat Engul says

      Hello Olivier, no official statement has been made yet regarding the reopening of Kariye Mosque. It has been under renovation since 2020 and is said to be nearing completion. It is expected to open later this year.

      Galata Tower restoration is still ongoing. Actually, it was going to be a short-term renovation, but it has been extended and I think it will remain closed for a few more months.

      The Tiled Pavilion and Museum of Ancient Oriental Works sections of the Istanbul Archaeological Museums are still closed and I do not think they will open this year.

      On the other hand, it would take hours to visit the parts of the archaeological museum that are currently open.

      Reply

  4. blankTürker Yilmaz says

    Vielen Dank für die schönen Informationen!!! Sehr gelungener Bericht über die wichtigsten Tipps für Istanbul.

    Reply

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