Sultan Ahmed Mosque — universally known to visitors as the Blue Mosque — sits directly across the old Hippodrome from Hagia Sophia, and the pair form the single most photographed skyline in the city. It was commissioned by Sultan Ahmed I in the early 17th century, partly as a statement piece intended to rival, or surpass, Hagia Sophia's grandeur just across the square.
Where the name comes from
The mosque's exterior is grey stone, not blue — the name comes entirely from the interior, where more than 20,000 handmade İznik ceramic tiles, predominantly in shades of blue, cover the upper walls and dome. Combined with light from over 200 stained-glass windows, the effect on a sunny morning is genuinely striking, and is the whole reason to see the interior rather than just the exterior from the square.
Six minarets
Unusually, the mosque has six minarets rather than the more typical four — at the time it was built, this reportedly caused some controversy, as six minarets matched the count at the Great Mosque in Mecca. A seventh minaret was later added at Mecca to resolve the symbolic issue.
Visiting as a tourist
As an active mosque, entry is free, and visitors are welcomed outside of prayer times through a designated tourist entrance separate from the worshippers' entrance. Expect:
- A brief closure to visitors around each of the five daily prayers — the closures are short, but plan flexibility into your visit rather than arriving at a fixed slot.
- A strict dress code: shoulders and knees covered, headscarves available (or bring your own) for women, and shoes removed at the entrance — plastic bags are usually provided to carry them.
- A hushed, respectful atmosphere expected throughout — it remains a working place of worship, not a museum, even with heavy visitor footfall.
Pairing it with the rest of the square
The mosque sits at the edge of the old Byzantine Hippodrome, itself worth a slow walk — look for the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, and the German Fountain, all standing in what was once a 100,000-seat chariot-racing stadium. Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace are all within a few minutes' walk, making this square the natural centre of a Sultanahmet sightseeing day.
