How to respectfully visit mosques as a tourist.

Visiting mosques is a big part of many trips to Türkiye, as well as other countries with large Muslim communities. While there are some universal standards for entering mosques, there can be some variations across cultures and specific mosques.

This is an overview of what to expect to expect and how to prepare for visiting mosques in Türkiye.

⭐Always be sure to review specific rules and expectations when visiting any religious sites.

Only Visit Mosques Open to Visitors

Türkiye is home to 82,693 mosques, with 3,113 in Istanbul alone. While many are open to the public (both Muslim and Non-Muslim) there are varying views and opinions as to the appropriateness of visiting mosques that are not well-known tourist destinations.

Personally, as a non-Muslim, I would not enter just any mosque as a tourist unless invited.

Some of the most famous mosques open to visitors in Istanbul:

• The Blue Mosque

• Hagia Sofia (€25)

• Suleymaniye Mosque

• Yeni Cami Mosque

• Fatih Mosque

• Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque

• Dolmabahçe Mosque

• Dolmabahçe Mosque

Mosques open to visitors in the Anatalya Region

• Yivliminare Cami

• Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque

• Iskele Mosque

• Celebi Sultan Mehmet Camii

• Sarampol Camii

• Muratpasa Mosque

• Kuba Cami

Open Hours

Mosques are closed to visitors during prayer hours, and most are closed for a small window of time immediately before and after prayer hours to respect the privacy and practice of attendees.

Be sure to check open hours and plan accordingly around prayer times.

⭐Call to prayer and prayer times (salat) are not set times and are on a rotating schedule, so the hours will vary day by day.

Salat times are prayer times when Muslims perform salat. The term is primarily used for the five daily prayers including the Friday prayer, which takes the place of the Dhuhr prayer and must be performed in a group of aibadat. Muslims believe the salah times were revealed by Allah to Muhammad.

Prayer times are standard for Muslims in the world, especially the fard prayer times. They depend on the condition of the Sun and geography. There are varying opinions regarding the exact salah times, the schools of Islamic thought differing in minor details. All schools of thought agree that any given prayer cannot be performed before its stipulated time.

A quick google search will tell you when Salat is on any particular day, and can save you from trekking to a mosque and then having to wait 90 minutes+ to go inside.

Proper Attire

When thinking about proper attire for entering mosques, most people only think there are rules for women. While it is true that only women are required to cover their hair, the rules regarding covering the body apply to both men and women.

Both men and women and required to cover shoulders and knees. Women are required to cover their hair (all of it). All visitors are also discouraged from wearing tight clothing, showing the midriff, etc.

What happens if you arrive at the mosque and aren’t properly dressed?

The majority of mosques that allow visitors will provide covers for both men and women, this incudes wraps to cover legs and shawls to cover shoulders and hair. They are available at the entrance of the mosque and are returned upon exiting.

While being able to use these is far better than being turned away for not having appropriate attire, they are not made of breathable materials and can be very hot, especially in the summer, so always best to plan ahead and dress appropriately.

Properly Covering Hair

Women must cover their hair while inside the mosque.

This does not change because you want to take a selfie or cute photo or because you are hot. On my visits to mosques in Türkiye, I have seen many women disregard the dress code to take pictures or try to look cute. The rules apply to everyone entering the mosque and ignoring them is disrespectful.

All hair must be covered. A scarf loosely draped over your head with the front and/or back of your hair out is not properly covered or respectful of the dress code. Be mindful that you are covering all of your hair for the duration of your time in the mosque.

Not like this ⬇️

Remove Shoes

Shoes are not to be worn inside of the mosque and need to be removed prior to entering. This is well indicated by signs and the markings on the floor not to pass with shoes on. Be mindful of the areas are not permitted when removing and putting shoes back on.

There are shelves for shoes inside the entry of the mosque. Remove shoes outside and carry them to the shelves, then retrieve them in your way out and carry them to the designated area to put them back on.

If visiting in the summer and wearing sandals, remember to bring socks if you prefer not to be barefoot while visiting.

Maintain an Appropriate Volume

While it is not required to be silent inside a mosque, it is a place of worship and should be respected as such. Even if it is not prayer time and the space is open to visitors, there are often people inside praying and it is important to be mindful and respectful of that.

Some mosques have staff or representatives there to speak with and ask questions, who may also let you know (subtly) if you are being too loud, but generally you are fine to use a hushed voice or low volume while inside.

This should to without saying, but also be mindful of your language and avoid cursing or inappropriate ‘jokes’.

Taking Photos

Visitors are welcome to take photos (unless otherwise indicated) and you will certainly want to capture the beauty of the amazing structures, but there are a few things to keep in mind when snapping those photos.

In keeping with being respectful to those in prayer: do not photograph people who are praying. Prayer is an intimate and individual act and should be respected as such. This also extends to pretending to pray for a photo.

This comes with varying schools of thought, but mosques (or any places of worship) are not the place for runway-esc or sexy photoshoots or videos.

Following these simple guidelines will make your visit to the beautiful and ornate mosques of Türkiye go seamlessly and remain respectful or the culture and religion.