5 Stunning Mosques You Must Visit in Istanbul

Istanbul, a city where East meets West, is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking mosques, each offering a unique blend of history, architecture, and spirituality. Below, we’ll take you through five of the city’s most beautiful mosques, sharing their stories and what makes each one a must-see destination. 

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Istanbul is known for its incredible Ottoman-era (and beyond) architecture and that extends to its mosques and other places of worship. The Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque tend to be the first to come to mind when penciling a visit to a mosque into your Istanbul itinerary—but there are plenty of equally impressive and historic mosques throughout the city that are just as worthwhile to visit.

If you’re looking to understand the different architectural styles and eras of Istanbul, here are five beautiful mosques to visit once you’ve checked the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque off your list:

Ortaköy Mosque

The Ortaköy Mosque in the Beşiktaş neighborhood is unlike any other mosque in the city. It’s perched on the edge of the Bosphorus which gives it a somewhat otherworldly appearance. The mosque was constructed in the early 1850s by father and son architects Garabet Balyan and Nikoğos Balyan—the same minds behind the Dolmabahçe Palace—and boasts a European-influenced Neoclassical architectural style.

Suleymaniye Mosque

Designed by imperial architect Mimar Sinan, the Suleymaniye Mosque is the largest Ottoman-era mosque in Istanbul. Located on the Third Hill of Istanbul, this mosque boasts an incredible view of the Golden Horn and is considered to be Mimar Sinan’s most impressive work.

Rüstem Paşa Mosque

The Rüstem Paşa Mosque is located in the Fatih neighborhood right by the Egyptian Bazaar—which makes it a great contender if you’re looking to pack both into your itinerary. The Ottoman-era mosque was designed by Mimar Sinan for the Grand Vizier Rüstem Paşa, whose wife was Mihrimah Sultan, one of the daughters of Suleiman the Magnificent.

Eyüp Sultan Mosque

Located in the Eyüp district of Istanbul, the Eyüp Sultan Mosque requires a bit of a larger commute than the other mosques on the list—but it is worth it if you have a few days in the city or are particularly interested in Islamic history. This mosque is very important to Muslims because it holds relics that allegedly belonged to the prophet Muhammad. It also houses a mausoleum where Ebu Eyüp el-Ansari (Abu Ayyub al-Ansari), the standard-bearer of Muhammad, is believed to have been buried.

New Mosque

Don’t let the name fool you. The New Mosque—or Yeni Cami in Turkish—is anything but new. In fact, it dates all the way back to 1597 when it was originally ordered by Safiye Sultan, the wife of Sultan Murad III. The mosque took over fifty years in total to complete and is today considered one of the most significant landmarks in the Golden Horn.

Discover the beauty and history of Istanbul’s mosques. Let our destination management company help you plan the perfect trip. Call us today at 844-446-8687 or, check our Instagram @gotourluxe

Reference: [https://www.forbes.com/sites/kaitlynmcinnis/2025/01/31/5-beautiful-mosques-to-visit-in-istanbul/]