Unfortunately, it was not open at the time of arrival…read more For a small mosque, boasts 2 minarets has stunning architecture, and situated right on the Bosporus and 15 of July martyrs bridge. This Mosque is worth a visit just to see the architecture in views.

While the Hagia Sofia was undergoing extensive renovations inside and outside, the Blue Mosque was…read morefully open making it the go to big mosque in Sultanahmet. From the outside the minarets and domes were very impressive especially with the blue color theme. Everyone entered the central courtyard where it was lined with information (and people ready to answer questions) about the prophet, religion, Quran and more. From the courtyard, there were two entrances with the main one reserved for worshippers. The visitor entrance required an exit from the courtyard towards the back. The queue was not too bad but there was one check for proper dress (headscarf or skirts were loaned to those found non-compliant) and another stop to remove shoes (needed to hand carry it throughout the mosque). Once inside about half the area was blocked off for worshippers. It was pretty crowded inside but people eventually moved. The low hanging lights did have some blocking effects on overall photos but the amazing details of the stained glass windows, tiles, Arabic lettering, and more surrounded us. The massive supporting columns and domed ceilings that soared above also contributed to the immense space. The Blue Mosque was free to enter but since it's an active mosque it does close to visitors during prayers so plan accordingly. A don't miss when visiting Istanbul.

Absolutely breath taking. I went in and said my prayers…read more It's a beauty and I love the people go there with respect regardless of background & religion. It is free to the public but does close sporadically throughout the day for prayers and cleaning.

An stunning looking Mosque in Uskadar. Located in close proximity to the ferry terminal, it was…read morebuilt in the mid 1500s While we were there you could easily hear the call to prayer. As these are active places of worship we did not want to disturb the prayers and simply viewed it from the street. On the far side of the mosque there is a steep stair case leading along the wall. In addition to a small entrance there is also a small cemetery with old headstones. It also was a great spot to catch the setting sun

A beautiful peace of art built close to the pier of Üsküdar, that's why it's also called 'Iskele…read moreCamii'.. It's one of Üsküdar's best known landmarks.. The mosque was built by the daughter of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, Mihrimah Sultan.. The mosque was designed by the very famous architect Mimar Sinan.. The mosque was built between 1546 and 1548.. Mihr-i Mah means Sun and Moon..

Süleymaniye Camii is one of the grand mosques in the city of Istanbul, built during the rule of…read moreSuleiman the Magnificent in the 1550s. (His wife, Roxelana, is a fascinating and influential woman in her own right--check out the Stuff You Missed in History Class episode "The Cinderella of the Harem", or the Ottoman History podcast, or probably others for further information on this woman.) The mosque is not just a mosque; this is more akin to a campus. There's the mosque for prayer, as well as gardens, outbuildings, and a caravanserai used by travelers in the middle ages. It was built by Sinan, the greatest architect of the Ottoman Empire; Süleymaniye is probably his most famous work. Sinan is buried near the mosque, and Roxelana and her husband have mausoleums on the grounds. This mosque felt a bit brighter than others to me, because there's lots of white and brighter colors--orange is a major one here. It's been through a lot in the intervening half-millennium; multiple fires have raged on the grounds, and in one of the world wars it was a weapons hub. But luckily for us, it has been under renovation multiple times throughout its history as well, and is in good repair at present. Take a visit to this mosque and learn more about Roxelana! (And Suleiman and Sinan, too, I guess.)

The Süleymaniye Mosque ( is an Ottoman imperial mosque located on the Third Hill of Istanbul,…read moreTürkiye. The mosque was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent (r. 1520-1566) and designed by the imperial architect Mimar Sinan. As part of our tour, our tour guide led us to the mosque, explained its significance, and let us explore the grounds. Women are required to cover up inside the building, as is custom. The mosque is one of the largest in the city and is a part of the designated UNESCO World Heritage Site "Historic Areas of Istanbul." The mosque is beautiful with its large dome and minarets. The building is one of the most recognizable buildings in Istanbul. It overlooks the Bosphorus River. Construction began in 1550 and completed in 1559. The mausoleum was added later between 1566-1568. Entrance was free.

Beautiful new mosque next to the 'Faculty of Theology of Marmara uni' and very close to 'Capitol'…read more. The design is very unique and modern.. It has two masjids and both of them have their own style and own art... It really is an innovative and post modern mosque worth to visit..

Gulfem Hatun Mosque another stunning looking mosque in Istambul…read more once again we arrived during prayer so we did not venture in out of respect. I have to really say I am drawn to the architecture of the mosques. coupled by the friendliness of the worshipers and even the clergy we encountered

If you take the ferry from Eminonu or you venture around the Galata Bridge is impossible not to…read morenotice the majestic Yeni Camii, also known as the New Mosque. If you take a photo of the Sulthanamet side, GoldenHorn area and it will pop up in your view! It's also located near the Spice/Egyptian Bazaar. Hard to miss! Free to visit daily except the times for prayers. As a woman, bring a scarf! Not as crowded as Blue Mosque, but beautiful in its own way! The construction was completed in 1665 and it took more than half of century to be finished. A woman, Safiye Sultan, the wife of Sultan Murad III and later Queen Mother was the person who wanted and gave the order for this mosque to be built! The domes are beautiful inside, decorated with the famous blue Iznik Turkish tiles! There is also a building that is a mausoleum dedicated to tombs of past sultans and their wives and children, which was interesting to visit. Lots of history here! This was a new feature for us to discover while visiting a mosque. Be respectful and enjoy this slice of Turkish architecture and history! Easy to find if you visit other sites in the area!

Incredible and majestic, this might be the most wonderful of the Ottoman mosques. Commissioned in…read more1597 by Safiye Sultan, the powerful mother of Sultan Mehmed III, its construction was delayed for decades due to political shifts, financial struggles, and fires. It was finally completed in 1665 by another royal woman, Turhan Hatice Sultan, mother of Sultan Mehmed IV. This history makes Yeni Camii one of the few great Ottoman mosques sponsored and shaped by women of the imperial court. On the other side of the bridge from the Galata Tower, an Iconic landmark for the Golden Horn, it is adjacent to Taksim Square.

It was just terrific. They explained everything. You have to be comfortable with nudity, your own,…read moreand the scantily dressed woman who is scrubbing and helping you (if you are a woman). But I would do it again in a heartbeat, so relaxing.

The Suleymaniye Hamam was a cultural experience, that's for sure…read more I wanted to try a genuine Turkish bath, and the Sulimaniye Hamam is not only one of the oldest ones in Istanbul, it's also one of the few that allows co-ed bathing. In fact, it requires you come with a partner to partake. So I coerced my husband into coming along and made reservations for a Turkish bath. We arrived early but they took us right away. You are given a changing room (shared with your partner) and asked to dress in a bikini for women (they give you shorts and a top if you don't bring your own) and a towel for men. You're also given some very uncomfortable wooden sandals. A side note here: They made my husband leave his glasses in the changing room, which left him functionally blind. The glasses WOULD have steamed up in the bathing room, but I think that would have been preferable to him not being able to see at all, AND we saw another person wearing glasses in there. (OK, I saw another person wearing glasses in there--husband saw nothing.) So if you wear glasses and want them on your face for the bath, do it. After changing, you're brought into a large steam room for about 30 minutes to wait for your bath. There's a large heated marble square in the center of the room to sit on, and sinks around the perimeter of the room for you to fill bowls with water to splash yourself. Each of the four corners of the room is a treatment area, with two benches and two sinks. When it's your turn, the bathers will call you in to a corner and begin the treatment. The treatment consists of exfoliation with a loofah, followed by laying down on the table to be scrubbed all over with bubbles. They work on your back first, then your front. The scrubbing includes a little bit of massage, which was nice. Then, you are splashed with clean water to rinse the soap, and moved back to the area next to the sink where they shampoo your hair. Finally, you are splashed with progressively colder water until you're completely rinsed and soap-free. The last part of the experience is getting dry. The bathers bring you into a side room and wrap you in Turkish bath towels. They do not like it if you try to wrap yourself, I learned. Finally, you're brought into a room with benches and tables where you can order coffee, tea, water, or other refreshments. After our sweaty bath experience, all we wanted was water and more water. When you're done, you go back to your changing room, get back into your clothes, and that's it. You can pay for your refreshments on the way out (you pre-paid for the treatment) as well as leave any tips in a designated box. Pro tips: Bring something to hold back your hair if it's long. Bring makeup wipes since any makeup you're wearing will smear. Bring deodorant to reapply, as well as any hair products or makeup you might need, unless you plan on going straight back to your hotel. They do have blow dryers available for use at the hamam. As I said at the beginning, this was a cultural experience. I didn't find it relaxing exactly, especially since I wasn't sure what was going to happen at any given time. I'm glad I went, but I probably won't seek out a Turkish bath experience here at home.