Blue Mosque

Breath-taking Architecture

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Overview

A functioning mosque, its six towers and mesmerizing architecture has made it an extremely popular among tourists visiting Istanbul.

Suggested Duration - 1-2 Hours.

What To Expect?

Explore the Mosque compound as you take photographs of the amazing architecture, head inside the cavernous praying hall adorned with blue ?znik tiles and find spiritual bliss.

Tips

The place is open on all days.
Dress appropriately as it is a place of worship. Robes and headscarf are available.
Avoid visiting after calls for prayer.
There is no entry fee.

The Blue Mosque, Istanbul Overview

The Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is located in Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey. Istanbul is a city steeped in history, straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. It's known for its cultural richness, vibrant bazaars, and iconic skyline punctuated by domes and minarets.

Built between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Sultan Ahmed I, the Blue Mosque is an iconic symbol of Istanbul. It's famous for its stunning blue Iznik tiles adorning the interior, giving the mosque its popular name.

Known for:Its beautiful blue Iznik tiles and unique architecture featuring six minarets.

Timings	The mosque is open every day but closes for 90 minutes at each prayer time.
Entry Fee	There is no entry fee, but donations are appreciated.
Tips	Dress modestly, covering arms and legs. Women should also cover their heads.
Required Time	A typical visit lasts for about 1-2 hours.
Restricted Items	Shoes must be removed before entering the mosque.

Best Time to Visit Blue Mosque

The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when it's less crowded.

More About Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque, with its cascading domes and six slender minarets, dominates Istanbul's skyline. Inside, the high ceiling is lined with over 20,000 blue tiles, each intricately designed. The mosque is still a functioning place of worship, so visitors should respect prayer times and dress appropriately.

Blue Mosque Services

The mosque holds daily prayers and is also a popular site for weddings and funerals.

Nearby Tourist Spots

Hagia Sophia Museum:A historic site, formerly a church and mosque, now a museum.
Topkapi Palace:A former palace of the Ottoman sultans, now a museum.
Grand Bazaar:A vast and bustling market offering a variety of goods.

Restaurants and Local Food

Around the Blue Mosque, you'll find a variety of eateries serving traditional Turkish cuisine. Try local dishes like kebabs, baklava, and Turkish tea. Sultanahmet Köftecisi is a popular restaurant known for its meatballs, while Hafiz Mustafa 1864 offers a wide range of Turkish desserts.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Blue Mosque

How to explore a place by yourself?

"Adventure is out there!" - You just need to know the 'whats' and the 'hows' of it. You need to realize the things that will make exploring a place completely worthwhile and satisfy all of your travel cravings. This can be achieved by -

Taking Yourself Out To Eat At A Restaurant

Learn The Public Transportation Routes

Check Out A Local Planetarium Or Observatory

Take A Drive To The Nearest Coastal Town Or National Park

Join A Group Of Tourists On A Sightseeing Tour

Take Pictures At A Botanical Garden

Go Shopping At A Local Farmers Market

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Know the visa requirements for visiting the destination

Depending on where you are planning your trip in a particular country, it's important to get the correct advice for any necessary vaccinations that needs to be taken care of before your travel dates

Make copies of your important documents and keep them handy

How to choose a destination to travel to?

Travelling is exhilarating - and a little bit intimidating too. You are venturing into the unknown and you really have very little ideas about what things will be like there when you arrive. It's always a massive learning curve when you leap into the new (which is why it's important to thoroughly research a travel destination before you go.) Some of the important things to keep in mind while deciding on a destination to travel are :

Figure out how to travel to a destination, where to stay and what are the things to do amongst other things. Trip Ideas by MakeMyTrip brings you a plethora of knowledge about a destination ranging from images and videos to lists of all the activities

Read posts by travel bloggers who have been there and if needed email them

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