Blue Mosque: is it open to visitors on your date?
Short answer: Sat 7 Nov 2026: Open to visitors 08:30–12:00, 13:30–15:15 and 16:10–17:40; closed for the noon prayer, afternoon prayer and sunset prayer.
The Blue Mosque is a working mosque, so tourists are let in only between prayers. Prayer times move every day with the sun, which is why fixed opening hours online never match what you find at the gate.
Sat 7 November 2026
Open 08:30–12:00, 13:30–15:15 and 16:10–17:40
Longest visit window: 08:30–12:00.
| 08:30–12:00 | Open to visitors |
| 12:00–13:30 | Closed: Noon (Dhuhr) prayer (call at 12:53) |
| 13:30–15:15 | Open to visitors |
| 15:15–16:10 | Closed: Afternoon (Asr) prayer (call at 15:35) |
| 16:10–17:40 | Open to visitors |
| 17:40–18:30 | Closed: Sunset (Maghrib) prayer (call at 18:00) |
Prayer times (Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), Türkiye): Dawn (Fajr) 06:08 · Sunrise 07:35 · Noon (Dhuhr) 12:53 · Afternoon (Asr) 15:35 · Sunset (Maghrib) 18:00 · Night (Isha) 19:22
Closing times are approximate: staff may close the doors a little earlier when the mosque fills up.
Closed 12:00–13:30? Use the gap
- Basilica Cistern · 5 minutes on foot
- Topkapı Palace · 10 minutes on foot
The rule
Closed to visitors for each prayer: from about 50 minutes before the noon call until about 35 minutes after it, and from about 20 minutes before the afternoon, sunset and night calls until about 35 minutes after. Closed on Friday mornings until about 14:30.
Entry is free and there is no ticket; queues build just before each reopening. Women cover their hair; shoulders and knees covered for everyone. Head scarves and wraps are lent at the entrance.
Is Blue Mosque under scaffolding?
Source: Visitor windows posted at the entrance (08:30–12:15, 13:45–16:30, 17:30–18:30 in April 2026). Rule last checked April 2026.
Through the year
| Mid-month Wednesday | Open to visitors | Noon / afternoon call |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Jan 2027 | 08:30–12:30, 13:55–15:30, 16:25–17:50 | 13:20 / 15:50 |
| 17 Feb 2027 | 08:30–12:30, 14:00–15:55, 16:55–18:25 | 13:23 / 16:18 |
| 17 Mar 2027 | 08:30–12:25, 13:55–16:15, 17:15–18:30 | 13:18 / 16:39 |
| 14 Apr 2027 | 08:30–12:20, 13:45–16:30, 17:30–18:30 | 13:10 / 16:52 |
| 19 May 2027 | 08:30–12:15, 13:45–16:40, 17:40–18:30 | 13:06 / 17:02 |
| 16 Jun 2027 | 08:30–12:20, 13:45–16:50, 17:45–18:30 | 13:10 / 17:10 |
| 14 Jul 2027 | 08:30–12:25, 13:50–16:50, 17:50–18:30 | 13:15 / 17:13 |
| 18 Aug 2027 | 08:30–12:20, 13:50–16:40, 17:40–18:30 | 13:13 / 17:01 |
| 15 Sep 2027 | 08:30–12:10, 13:40–16:15, 17:10–18:30 | 13:04 / 16:35 |
| 20 Oct 2027 | 08:30–12:00, 13:30–15:30, 16:30–18:00 | 12:54 / 15:53 |
| 18 Nov 2026 | 08:30–12:00, 13:30–15:05, 16:05–17:30 | 12:54 / 15:27 |
| 16 Dec 2026 | 08:30–12:15, 13:40–15:00, 16:00–17:20 | 13:05 / 15:23 |
Blue Mosque by month
Questions
What time is Blue Mosque open to visitors today?
Sat 7 November 2026: open to visitors 08:30–12:00, 13:30–15:15 and 16:10–17:40; closed for the noon prayer, afternoon prayer and sunset prayer. Pick another date above; the times move every day.
Is Blue Mosque open on Friday?
Fri 13 November: open to visitors 14:30–15:10 and 16:05–17:30; closed for the Friday prayer, noon prayer, afternoon prayer and sunset prayer.
How long does Blue Mosque close for prayer?
Closed to visitors for each prayer: from about 50 minutes before the noon call until about 35 minutes after it, and from about 20 minutes before the afternoon, sunset and night calls until about 35 minutes after. Closed on Friday mornings until about 14:30.
What is the best time to visit Blue Mosque?
Go early on any day but Friday: the morning window is the longest and least crowded. On 7 Nov the first window is 08:30–12:00.
Is Blue Mosque open on Saturday and Sunday?
Yes, weekends follow the normal prayer pattern. Sat 7 November: open to visitors 08:30–12:00, 13:30–15:15 and 16:10–17:40; closed for the noon prayer, afternoon prayer and sunset prayer.
Prayer times are calculated from the sun's position with the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), Türkiye method (dawn at 18° and night at 17° below the horizon, afternoon when a shadow equals its object plus its noon shadow, plus the published safety minutes). For Istanbul they match the official timetable to within a minute. Opening hours can change for religious holidays, state ceremonies and restoration work; times are local (Europe/Istanbul).