The Blue Mosque was built in the 17th century, when the Ottoman Empire was at the peak of its power. The mosque is a wonderful example of classical architecture and takes its name from the blue tiles inside.
The mosque is located in the most touristic spot in Istanbul today. The building is surrounded by the Roman-era Hippodrome, the Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia and the Ottoman-era Arasta Bazaar.
In this article, you can find the most up-to-date information about Blue Mosque opening hours and entry fees. As a licensed tour guide who visits the mosque frequently, I keep this article as up-to-date as possible.
At the end of the article, you can also find a section explaining how to get to Blue Mosque from Beyoglu (Taksim Square, Cihangir, Galata, Karakoy) and the remote neighborhoods of the Old City.
Blue Mosque 2025 Visitor Summary
Below you can find the Blue Mosque visitor summary updated for 2025, including visiting hours, dress code and guided tour information.
• Entrance Fee: Free for all visitors
• Visiting Hours: 08:30 – 18:30 (Closed during prayer times)
• Dress Code: Modest clothing required (Headscarves needed for women)
• Guided Tours: Recommended Book your guided tour here
• Location: Sultanahmet, Istanbul
• Last Updated: August 2025
Guided Tour Tickets for the Mosque
Entering this mosque in the summer months may be difficult due to the high tourist season. Long queues form in front of the building from April to November. In order to enter the mosque accompanied by an experienced local guide, you can purchase tickets for the guided group tour online from here.
Guests with Blue Mosque guided tour tickets meet their guides at the designated point at the entrance of the building. Thanks to the guide’s explanations, you will also have comprehensive information about this special building, which has a sophisticated history.
Blue Mosque Ticket Price (2025)
Entrance to the Blue Mosque is free for all visitors, regardless of whether they are local or foreign, in 2025. If you would like to better appreciate the history of the mosque, you can purchase a guided tour ticket from this link. I last updated this information in August 2025.
Please note that you have to comply with the dress code to enter the Blue Mosque. Female visitors are recommended to bring a headscarf with them. Women wearing skirts or men wearing shorts may be asked to cover their legs.
Blue Mosque Visiting Hours (2025)
Blue Mosque visiting hours are between 08:30 in the morning and 18:30 in the evening as of 2025. Exceptionally, on Fridays, the building remains closed for half a day. The mosque is opened to visitors after 14:30 on Fridays for congregational prayers.
As of July 26, 2025, the exact opening and closing hours are as follows: 08:30-12:15 / 14:00-16:45 / 17:45-18:45. The Blue Mosque can be visited by tourists during these hours. Outside of these time windows, the mosque is closed for prayers.
On this site, I update the visiting hours for the most important historical monuments of Istanbul every month. I last updated the information about opening hours for August 2025. However, the mosque’s touristic visiting hours may change due to various events and restorations.
The Mosque is Closed During Prayer Hours
It should be noted that the mosque is not open continuously during the 10-hour window I noted above. The Blue Mosque is closed during prayer hours. To predict when it will be closed, you can follow the method I suggested in the title below.
Blue Mosque usually close 1 hour before the prayer and open 30 minutes after the call to prayer, meaning that mosque cannot be entered for touristic purposes for one and a half hours during prayer hours.
In order to anticipate the prayer hours of the mosques, which constantly change depending on the length of the day, you can check the prayers on this official website and adjust your visit accordingly.
In the list whose link I shared above, you should pay attention to the Dhuhr (noon), Asr (late afternoon) and Maghrib (sunset) prayers. These call to prayers are during touristic visiting hours and the mosque will be closed 1 hour before and 30 minutes after each call.
How to Get to Blue Mosque?
In order to go to Blue Mosque from Taksim, you first need to go to Kabatas, the first stop of Tram T1. You can go to Kabatas with Funicular F1 from Taksim Square.
If you are not staying in Taksim Square but in other neighborhoods of “Beyoglu” such as Cihangir, Galata and Karakoy, you can go to the nearest T1 station (all within walking distance).
Tram T1 will cross the Galata Bridge and come to the Old City. The first stop here is Eminonu, where Spice Bazaar is located. After passing Eminonu, Sirkeci and Gulhane stops respectively, you will reach Sultanahmet.
Blue Mosque is just 5-minute walk from Sultanahmet tram station. If you want to see the historical monuments in Sultanahmet marked on a map, this article may be useful to you.
To go to Blue Mosque from the districts of the Old City (Laleli, Beyazit, Eminonu and Sirkeci), you can use Tram T1 or follow the rails of T1 to reach Sultanahmet and then the mosque in its center.
Blue Mosque FAQ (2025)
Below you’ll find frequently asked questions about the Blue Mosque. As a private tour guide in Istanbul, I’ve included answers to the questions my clients most frequently ask.
Is there an entrance fee to the Blue Mosque?
No, entry is free for all visitors, both local and foreign.
What are the Blue Mosque visiting hours?
The mosque is open between 08:30 and 18:30, except during prayer times.
Can tourists enter during prayer times?
No, the mosque is closed for 1.5 hours during each prayer period. It reopens 30 minutes after the call to prayer.
Do I need a guided tour?
It’s highly recommended to join a guided tour, especially between April and November when queues are long.
Is there a dress code?
Yes, modest clothing is required. Women should bring a headscarf, and men and women must cover their legs.
About the Author – Serhat Engul (Local Guide in Istanbul)
Hi, I’m Serhat Engul, a licensed tour guide in Istanbul for over 20 years. I have led hundreds of private tours through the city’s major monuments, including Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern. If you’d like to book a private guided tour, please check the details on the Homepage of this blog.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Blue Mosque is among the most important historical places in Istanbul. After visiting here, you can also visit nearby places such as the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Also, the famous shopping place Grand Bazaar is a 15-minute walk from here.
If you are staying outside Sultanahmet, the easiest way to reach the mosque is to travel by Tram T1. Extending from the interior of the Historical Peninsula to Beyoglu (aka Taksim), this tram covers every place on the tourist map of Istanbul.
The best way to visit the Blue Mosque without waiting long is to join a guided group tour.
Click here to book your guided Blue Mosque tour now
Tickets are guaranteed by GetYourGuide, an international travel platform, and can be canceled up to 24 hours before the start of the activity.
Finally, on the blog pages of this website, you can find information about the most important tourist attractions and museums in the city. Prepared as a practical tourist guide, this site contains all the necessary information for first-time visitors.
Written by Serhat Engul