Top 10 Must-Visit Mosques in Istanbul for Muslim Travelers

بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Istanbul is one of the most spiritually rich and historically significant cities in the Muslim world. With its deep Ottoman roots, breathtaking architecture, and vibrant community of worshippers, Istanbul is a dream destination for Muslim families seeking both connection and beauty.

We normally do a top 10 list for the country as a whole but Istanbul itself has over 3,000 mosques, so felt it deserved its own list and even getting this down to the top 10 was not easy!! As a traveling Muslim family, we’ve explored many of the city’s most iconic masjids — and this list highlights the top 10 mosques that stood out to us for their atmosphere, architecture, and peaceful, family-friendly environments.

10.Çamlıca('Jamilija') Mosque – The Largest Mosque in Turkey

Year Built: 2019
Capacity: Over 63,000 worshippers
Unique Features: Modern Ottoman-Seljuk design; panoramic views from the hilltop; includes museum, library, art gallery
Historical Context: Commissioned by President Erdoğan and designed to represent the strength of Turkish-Islamic culture and double as an earthquake shelter for emergency use.
Why we like it: Its huge! The size is hard to relate in images but when you visit you will be amazed by the scope of everything from the interior to the courtyard. The view from the mosque's many balconies is one of the best in Istanbul and one of the few spots you can see the entire historic city with a bird's eye view. The facilities are clean, family-friendly, and the galleries inside offer a peaceful, educational experience for all ages.

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▶️ Watch our visit here

9. Fenari Isa Mosque – Hidden History in Fatih

Year Built: Originally 10th century (as a church); converted to mosque in 1497
Capacity: Around 500 worshippers
Unique Features: Twin domes, Byzantine brickwork, quiet and secluded courtyard
Historical Context: Originally the Church of Constantine Lips, this structure is one of the oldest surviving religious buildings in Istanbul. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted into a mosque by Fenari İsa Efendi, a scholar and statesman.
Why we like it: While the smallest on our list, this mosque is like stepping into a chapter of Islamic history. Surrounded by ancient stone and peaceful silence, it offers a chance for quiet reflection away from tourist crowds — perfect for Muslim families looking to catch their breath and pray.

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8. Mihrimah Sultan Mosque (Wall Mosque) – Designed for a Princess

Year Built: 1565
Capacity: Around 2,000 worshippers
Unique Features: Elegant, high-domed design with beautiful wall windows that glow at sunrise and sunset
Historical Context: Built by the legendary architect Mimar Sinan for Mihrimah Sultan, daughter of Suleiman the Magnificent. This Mosques is right next to the wall Mehmet Sultan entered when conquering Constantinople.
Why we like it: The geometry of this mosque is stunning, and its light-filled prayer hall is calming. Great spot to reflect and teach your kids about Islamic history. The adjacent original wall of Constantinople allows you to step back into to history and learn about how Muslim's sacrificed to get control of this Historic city.

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7. Hırka-i Şerif Mosque – Home of the Prophet’s(SWS) Blessed Cloak

Year Built: 1851
Capacity: Around 1,000 worshippers
Unique Features: Holds the Hırka-i Şerif — the cloak of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him).
Historical Context: Built to house the sacred relic which is displayed to the public each Ramadan.
Why we like it: You can only view the cloak itself during Ramadan so we didn't get a chance ourselves, but its a great chance to learn about our beloved Prophet's(peace be upon him) miraculous Miraaj journey and how the cloak was given to Umer(RA) to gift to Uwais Qarni(RH), who could not visit our beloved Prophet(peace be upon him) during his lifetime due to taking care of his sick mother. The interior of the Masjid is very unique as well with intricate carvings and calligraphy.

📍Google Maps Location
▶️ Watch our visit here(coming soon)

6. Yavuz Sultan Selim Mosque – Sunset Views and Serenity

Year Built: 1527
Capacity: Around 3,000 worshippers
Unique Features: Set on a hill with one of the best views over the Golden Horn; very peaceful
Historical Context: Built by Suleiman the Magnificent for his father Selim I; features tombs of Ottoman royalty and the home of the modern Islamic revival.
Why we like it: The famous Imam Mahmud Effendi became the Imam of this Mosque in the 1950's and was key in reviving Islamic teaching and culture during the secular movement. He helped established many madrassas and encouraged the sunnah way, and this place became the soil where the contemporary Islamic culture of Istanbul was rooted. It is still a busy madrassa and family picnic area, and we felt right at home here. The balcony has incredible views of the Bosporus and the city and a great place to relax and enjoy the view.

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5. Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque – Home of the Black Stone

Year Built: 1571
Capacity: About 1,000 worshippers
Unique Features: Contains four fragments of the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) embedded into the walls
Historical Context: Designed by Sinan for Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmet Pasha; often missed by tourists but deeply significant
Why we like it: The story is that the 5 fragments of the Hajra al-Aswad were gifted to Sinan after he designed a portion of Al-Haraam in the Holy City of Makkah, which are placed at different location in the mosque and amazing to learn this history of how the Ottoman Empire ruled and took care of the Holy Cities for generations. The inside is also very unique, with a lot of wood and carvings you don't normally see in Mosques here - pictures are forbidden in the interior so you will have to go yourself to have a look. The exterior courtyard and gardens give families a peaceful place to pray and take a breath in the middle of the busy Sultanahmed district.

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4. Eyüp Sultan Mosque – A Major Spiritual Landmark

Year Built: First built in 1458; rebuilt in 1800s
Capacity: Around 5,000 worshippers
Unique Features: Built next to the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari(RA), a close companion of our beloved Prophet(peace be upon him).
Historical Context: A deeply revered mosque in Ottoman history; sultans would come here before coronation and home to one of the biggest graveyards in historic Istanbul.
Why we like it: Like many other places in Istanbul, this is a chance to learn Islamic history. Abu Ayyub al-Ansari(RA) was the host of our beloved Prophet(peace be upon him) when he first made the move to the Holy City of Madinah. The story is long and captivating but in short he later went on conquest to Constantinople to fulfill the well-known Hadith and passed away years before Muslims were able to take control. He requested to be buried as close to the walls as possible and his wish was granted. The area and mosque are always busing and there are many shops and restaurants around, making it a great place to spend sometime with your family.

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3. Süleymaniye Mosque – Masterpiece of Mimar Sinan

Year Built: 1557
Capacity: 10,000 worshippers
Unique Features: Monumental domes, intricate arches, massive courtyard, and skyline views
Historical Context: Built by Suleiman the Magnificent and designed by Mimar Sinan — one of the greatest mosques in the Islamic world
Why we like it: The architecture is overwhelming in the best way. Even our children were amazed by the scale and beauty. The gardens and surrounding area are so well kept and an amazing spot for a picnic or to just relax. The terrace balconies have stunning views of the Bosporus and Holden Horn, we recommend a special trip for Fajr to this mosque to enjoy the sunrise as this place gets very busy. All things considered this is definitely one of our favorite family mosque visits.

📍Google Maps Location
▶️ Watch our visit here

2. Fatih Mosque – Heart of the Old City

Year Built: Original 1463; rebuilt after earthquake in 18th century
Capacity: Over 8,000 worshippers
Unique Features: Massive dome, peaceful courtyards, and home to the tomb of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror
Historical Context: Named after Mehmed II (Fatih Sultan Mehmet), who headed the army that conquered Constantinople
Why we like it: This mosque feels like the spiritual heart of Istanbul, the mosque and surrounding area is always busy with kids playing and people just relaxing. There is a big area around the mosque for family picnics or to chill, a mobile health clinic, plenty of shops and some of our favorite restaurants, and home to the famous Wednesday Market. The epic mosques combined with this conservative family oriented atmosphere makes this a must visit with your family, and we always try to plan our stays in Istanbul close to this area because we feel so comfortable here - we are sure you will love it too!

📍Google Maps Location
▶️ Watch our visit here(coming soon)

1. Hagia Sophia – The Most Historic and Iconic Mosque in Turkey

Year Built: 537 AD (as church); became mosque in 1453; reconverted in 2020
Capacity: Around 10,000 worshippers
Unique Features: Ancient mosaics, towering dome, unique lighting, Islamic calligraphy, historical layers
Historical Context: Originally a Byzantine church, then mosque under the Ottomans, then museum, now a functioning mosque again
Why we like it: No visit to Istanbul or Turkey for that matter, is complete without a visit to Hagia Sofia. This jewel of Istanbul has been struggled for throughout the centuries and you can feel that when you enter. Every angle of this mosque, inside and out, feels like a step back into historic times and it encourages your family to learn more about the history of Islam here. Originally a church built in the 6th century, it remained a church for about 1000 years, then a Mosque for nearly 500 years, then a museum for 85 years, and in 2020 back to Mosque. There is much to learn about this history and we are going to be doing a full detailed post on this Mosque in an upcoming blog so stay tuned. We recommend a Fajr visit to this historic Mosque to avoid the crowds and get the best family experience.

📍Google Maps Location
▶️ Watch our visit here

Final Thoughts

Istanbul is filled with masjids — large and small — each with their own story. Whether you’re here for a few days or longer, visiting these mosques is not just about architecture, it’s about reconnecting with our Islamic history and identity.

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