The Big Mosque of Istanbul

Istanbul's Largest Mosque

When people ask about the big mosque in Istanbul, they usually mean Camlica Mosque, the largest in the city and in all of Turkey. Opened in 2019 on the Camlica hills of the Asian side, it can hold more than 60,000 worshippers, with a main prayer hall for some 25,000. Its six minarets rise to 107 meters, and the complex blends classical Ottoman inspiration with modern construction, adding a library, art gallery, museum and conference halls. Set high above the city, it also rewards visitors with sweeping panoramic views back across the skyline.

Camlica is the headline act, but it belongs to a much older tradition. Istanbul holds well over 3,000 mosques, a layered record of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, and the evolution of mosque design can be traced across them, from early Byzantine influence to the mature Ottoman style.

Other Mosques Worth Your Time

The Blue Mosque, or Sultanahmet Mosque, built between 1609 and 1616 under Sultan Ahmed I, is famous for the more than 20,000 hand-painted Iznik tiles that give its interior a blue glow beneath a vast central dome. Nearby, the Suleymaniye Mosque is widely considered the masterpiece of the great architect Mimar Sinan; begun in 1550, its 53-meter dome and remarkable acoustics were designed so sermons could reach every corner, and its grounds once held schools, a hospital and a public kitchen.

The variety extends well beyond size. The waterfront Ortakoy Mosque, built in the mid-19th century in a rare neo-Baroque style, makes a striking pair with the Bosphorus Bridge behind it. The small Rustem Pasha Mosque near the Spice Bazaar, another Sinan design, packs in some of the finest Iznik tilework in the city, proof that grandeur is not only a matter of scale.

Visiting Tips for Istanbul's Mosques

Mosque etiquette is consistent across the city. Dress modestly, with women covering hair, shoulders and legs; scarves are usually provided at the entrance. Mosques are open outside the five daily prayers, but it is best to avoid Friday afternoons and major prayer sessions. Entry is free at almost all of them, with donations appreciated. Photography is generally allowed, but ask permission, keep quiet and respect anyone at worship. Remove your shoes before entering the prayer hall, and you will be welcome in some of the most beautiful interiors Istanbul has to offer.