How To Visit A Mosque In Istanbul, An Etiquette Guide For First Timers
What you need to know before visiting the Hagia Sophia or Blue Mosque.
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Visiting the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are essential on any Istanbul itinerary—but visiting a mosque for the first time as a non-Muslim can seem a little daunting. You don’t want to commit a faux pas or get in the way of active prayer, labeling yourself as an oblivious tourist.
But you really don’t need to worry about it all that much. Visiting a mosque is not unlike visiting a cathedral, a synagogue, or any other place of worship. As long as you’re respectful and follow basic etiquette, you won’t cause a disturbance or draw unwanted attention to yourself.
Here’s what to keep in mind when visiting a mosque in Istanbul for the first time as a tourist:
You’ll want to avoid visiting a mosque during specific prayer times when possible, as there will be the largest number of folks inside the mosque to actually pray. You might also want to consider skipping visiting any mosques on Fridays, which are considered the holiest day of the week in Islam. As a result, there is a special prayer on Fridays at noon and most mosques don’t allow non-Muslim visitors during this time.
You’ll be expected to take your shoes off upon entering any mosque, and most of the time you’ll have to leave your shoes unattended in an open cubby area. Plan to wear clean, matching socks, or make sure your feet are decently manicured and clean if you go barefoot, and consider shoes that are easy to slip on and off while standing up as the entrance and exits of the popular mosques in Istanbul tend to be crowded and without sitting room to lace up your shoes.
The most popular mosques in Istanbul get a lot of non-Muslim tourists and they won’t necessarily chastise you for a sartorial faux pas, but you’ll want to ensure you’re as respectful as possible upon entering a mosque. Men and women should both have pants that go below the knees. Women should also make sure not to wear low-cut or sleeveless shirts. Keep in mind that women should also cover their hair upon entering the mosque out of respect, it’s more of a symbolic gesture. There are scarves available at the entrance of most mosques that you can borrow but it’s easier to bring your own. Even a simple winter scarf or summertime shawl is sufficient as long as it covers the majority of your hair.
It should go without saying that you should not take photos of other people, especially those who are praying. It’s okay to take photos of the architecture or snap a selfie but use your judgement and don’t make anyone feel uncomfortable. If you’re not sure, ask.
You wouldn’t yell across a cathedral or basilica, so don’t raise your voice in a mosque. You don’t have to be completely silent but show respect for the fact that you’re in a place of worship. Mosques, especially the most popular mosques in Istanbul, are architectural marvels and very spiritual places even for non-Muslim visitors. Consider enjoying some quiet time and taking in the feeling of the space.
Those who are visiting the mosque to pray get priority—so make sure you haven’t accidentally ventured into an area where active praying is happening. This isn’t a problem in the Hagia Sophia, where non-Muslims are only allowed in the balcony, but it can happen in some of the other mosques in the city, so simply be aware of your surroundings and get out of the way as needed.
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