Visiting a mosque in Istanbul: a considerate stop
When visiting active places of worship, let their purpose and local guidance shape your visit.
The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are active places of worship as well as architectural landmarks. Plan with the possibility that access may change around prayer times, and follow the guidance at the entrance. Hagia Sophia's official information booklet describes it as open for worship as a mosque; Go Türkiye also identifies the Blue Mosque as an active place of worship.
Keep your voice low, avoid photographing worshippers without permission, and follow staff instructions. Clothing and shoe arrangements can vary by site and may change, so check the guidance posted on the day. If your schedule is full, leave room for a pause in the Hippodrome square or toward Gülhane instead of rushing from one large building to the next. This makes it easier to experience the historic setting without treating a working place of worship as a backdrop.