Blue Mosque dress code and entry tips

Blue Mosque dress code and entry tips

Pictures and advice on what does and doesn't comply with the Blue Mosque dress code. Includes tips on the best time to travel and what happens when you arrive

The third or maybe fourth time I met Peter's parents, I spent 10 minutes being annoyed that my top was too low.

Peter rolled his eyes. “My mother wears lower-cut tops for heaven’s sake!”

I laughed, threw on a cardigan and started to leave. Fortunately, his family is much more liberal than mine.

My modesty neurosis—a remnant of my Muslim roots—makes me tuck up anything lower than a clergyman's collar every time I visit my mother. Knowing this, you'll understand why I was fussed over the Blue Mosque's dress code and associated etiquette during our recent trip to Istanbul.

To help future visitors get it right, we've put together a guide to the Blue Mosque's dress code along with some general tips for entry.

Dress code Blue Mosque

• Frauen sollten ihre Arme, Beine und Haare bedecken. Entscheiden Sie sich für locker sitzende Kleidung, die nicht an Ihrer Form haftet. Leggins vermeiden.
• Männer sollten ihre Beine bedecken. Entscheiden Sie sich für lockere Kleidung und vermeiden Sie Unterhemden und Westen

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Be warned that officials will assess every visitor and if you do not comply with the Blue Mosque's dress code (tut tut), you will be asked to cover yourself with a scarf, skirt or robe, which the mosque will lend you for free.

If you're a man in shorts, that means you could end up being this guy:

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Luckily, Peter and I passed muster. I wore gray hiking pants and a loose black top along with a scarf. Peter was wearing gray hiking pants and a white shirt. If you cover up beforehand, you will be spared the humiliation of judgment.

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Blue Mosque opening hours

The Blue Mosque is open daily and free for all visitors. However, tourists cannot visit during prayers held several times a day:

• Fajr (İmsak auf Türkisch): Zwei Stunden vor Sonnenaufgang
• Tulu (Güneş): Morgendämmerung
• Zuhr (Öğle): Mittag
• Asr (İkindi): Nachmittag
• Maghrib (Akşam): Sonnenuntergang
• Isha (Yatsı): Kurz vor dem letzten Licht des Tages

The prayer times are tied to sunrise and sunset and therefore change throughout the year. Check current prayer times and avoid visits 45 minutes before and 30 minutes after each prayer.

Visit in the morning

The best time to visit the Blue Mosque is between morning prayers (Tulu) and midday prayers (Zuhr). You'll probably still have to wait in line for 20-30 minutes, but that's better than in the afternoon when the crowds are at their heaviest.

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Avoid Fridays

Special Friday prayers mean the Blue Mosque will be closed until 2:30 p.m. If possible, choose another day.

It is worth noting that as a Muslim you can visit the Blue Mosque and attend prayers at any time.

Directions from the hippodrome

The best way to see the stunning architecture of the Blue Mosque is to approach it from the Hippodrome (west side of the mosque). Tourists have to use the same direction to enter the mosque anyway.

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Note that the tourist entrance is different from the one reserved for believers. You'll come across the worshiper entrance first, so move on to the next one. (Just follow the tourists, you know them from the locals.)

Avoid anyone who offers you express entry; just join the queue instead. It may look long, but it moves quickly.

General etiquette

• Die Blaue Moschee ist ein Ort der Anbetung, seien Sie also ruhig und respektvoll.
• Sie müssen Ihre Schuhe ausziehen und in eine durchsichtige Plastiktüte legen (wird kostenlos zur Verfügung gestellt). Sie können die Tasche entweder mitnehmen oder in einem kleinen Loch in der Moschee lassen.
• Sie können in der Blauen Moschee fotografieren, aber schalten Sie Ihren Blitz aus.
• Fotografieren Sie keine Menschen beim Gebet oder während sie ihre Waschungen durchführen.
• Werfen Sie gebrauchte Plastiktüten in die dafür vorgesehenen Mülltüten am Ausgang.
• Geben Sie die Kopfbedeckungen beim Verlassen dem diensthabenden Personal zurück.
• Der Eintritt in die Blaue Moschee ist frei (trotz über fünf Millionen Besuchern pro Jahr!), daher ist eine kleine Spende willkommen. Sie können dies an den Ausgangstüren tun.

The essentials

What: Visit to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

Where: We stayed at the Sirkeci Mansion Hotel in the Old City of Istanbul and absolutely loved this gem of a hotel. It's located on a picturesque street that offers both an oasis of calm away from the crowds and proximity to the city's biggest attractions. The Blue Mosque and Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia) are just a 10-minute walk away!

We were absolutely charmed by Araz, who greeted us with a big smile, two cups of Turkish tea and lots of advice on planning our stay.

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Our room was super comfortable and the breakfast was delicious (try the chili covered cheese balls). On our last day we had to leave before breakfast and Araz insisted that we take a packed breakfast, which we really appreciated on our trip to Izmir. We would stay there again in a heartbeat.

When: The best time to visit Istanbul is spring (March to mid-June), when the weather is temperate and the days are long. Note that it may rain for a day or two, especially in April. We visited in late May and had a day washout.

However, the other days were wonderful. Autumn (September-October) is the second best time to travel. Summer is hot and crowded while winter can be cold and rainy.

How: The Blue Mosque is free to enter and can be reached within a short walk from the Sirkeci Mansion Hotel. If you live further away, you can use Istanbul's reliable metro system to get around. Taxis are readily available, but we preferred to use the far cheaper subway.

Istanbul has connections to several international airports. Book via Skyscanner for the best prices.

Note: Due to recent unrest in Turkey, please read the FCO travel advice before your visit.

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