Istanbul Mosques Beyond Sultanahmet: Süleymaniye, Çamlıca, Eyüp
Short answer: beyond Sultanahmet, the mosques most worth a separate trip are Süleymaniye (Fatih), Büyük Çamlıca (Üsküdar, Asian side), Eyüp Sultan (on the Golden Horn, with the Pierre Loti hill above it), Rüstem Paşa and Yeni Cami (both by the Spice Bazaar at Eminönü) and Ortaköy on the Bosphorus. All are working mosques, so plan each visit between prayers, avoid Friday around noon, cover your shoulders and knees, and take your shoes off. Prayer times move with the sun, so check them on the day. A private transfer from Istanbul Airport costs from €44 to Eyüpsultan, from €48 to Fatih and from €55 to Üsküdar, per vehicle.
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Most visitors see the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia and stop there. Istanbul has several other large mosques that are quieter, free to enter and just as much a part of the skyline: Sinan's Süleymaniye above the Golden Horn, the very large modern mosque on Çamlıca Hill, and Eyüp Sultan, one of the city's most important places of pilgrimage. This guide covers when to go, how to reach each one from the airports and how to behave when you get there. For the two mosques in Sultanahmet itself, see our Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque guide.
The Mosques at a Glance
| Mosque | District | Best time to go | Nearest transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Süleymaniye | Fatih, on the third hill above the Golden Horn | Weekdays between prayers; on Fridays only after about 14:30 | M2 Vezneciler-İstanbul Ü., then a short uphill walk |
| Büyük Çamlıca | Üsküdar, Çamlıca Hill (Asian side) | Any day outside prayer times; avoid Friday around noon | M5 to Kısıklı, then a taxi or minibus; or buses 11Ç and 11Ü from Üsküdar |
| Eyüp Sultan | Eyüpsultan, upper Golden Horn | Outside prayer times; Friday around noon is the hardest time | T5 tram, stops Eyüpsultan and Eyüpsultan Teleferik |
| Rüstem Paşa | Fatih, Tahtakale, by the Spice Bazaar | Between prayers | T1 Eminönü, then a short walk |
| Yeni Cami (New Mosque) | Fatih, Eminönü, at the Galata Bridge | Between prayers | T1 Eminönü; Marmaray Sirkeci |
| Ortaköy | Beşiktaş, on the Bosphorus | Between prayers; not around midday on Friday | Bus 22 along the shore road; no rail station |
Times of day are general guidance, not opening hours. Where we give hours below, they come from secondary sources or our own earlier checks and can change, so confirm on the day.
Prayer Times, Fridays and Dress
These are places of worship first and sights second. A few habits cover almost every visit.
- Prayer times. There are five daily prayers, and their times shift every day with the sun. The Diyanet publishes the timetable for Istanbul, and it is worth checking in the morning. Mosques usually close to visitors from about 30 minutes before each prayer until it ends, and a visit planned just before a prayer may be cut short.
- Friday. The noon prayer on Friday is the main congregational prayer of the week. Expect the big mosques to be closed to sightseers until about 14:00 to 14:30. Plan the mosque for the afternoon.
- Dress. Cover your shoulders and knees. Women should cover their hair before entering the prayer space, and it is best to bring your own scarf, because the coverings lent at some mosques vary. Everyone takes their shoes off before the carpeted area, so socks are useful. Carry the shoes in a bag.
- Behaviour. Speak quietly, do not use flash and do not photograph people who are praying.
- Entry. Entry is free at Süleymaniye, Büyük Çamlıca and Ortaköy.
Our Istanbul sights, hours and tickets guide lists the closed days for the main sights.
Süleymaniye Mosque
Süleymaniye was built between 1550 and 1557 by the architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Süleyman I, and it stands on a hill with a terrace looking over the Golden Horn. Entry is free. It is open to visitors from about 09:00 to 18:00 outside prayers, and hours are usually shorter in winter, so check before you go. On Fridays it opens to visitors at about 14:30.
The tombs of Süleyman and his wife Hürrem are in the garden. They are reported to be free, and Süleyman's tomb is closed on Mondays.
The nearest metro is the M2 at Vezneciler-İstanbul Ü., a short walk uphill. From the Grand Bazaar it takes about 15 minutes on foot, also uphill. From Istanbul Airport, the rail route is the M11 to Gayrettepe, then the M2 to Vezneciler, about 75 to 90 minutes door to door. The M11 charges ≈€0.85 (₺47.89) at the airport gate for a visitor card, and the M2 adds ≈€0.85 (₺46.20). From Sabiha Gökçen you can ride the M4 to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, the Marmaray to Yenikapı and the M2 one stop to Vezneciler. By car, the mosque is in Fatih district, so our transfer to Fatih is the one to book. See our Istanbul Airport M11 metro guide for the timetable.
Büyük Çamlıca Mosque
The Büyük Çamlıca Mosque is the newest of the mosques in this guide. It opened in 2019 on Çamlıca Hill, and it is among the largest in Turkey: it is reported to hold up to 63,000 worshippers, with six minarets and a dome 72 metres high. Entry is free and it is open daily according to secondary sources, with the usual closures at prayer times.
The mosque is on the Asian side, and it is the one place in this guide that is closer to Sabiha Gökçen than to Istanbul Airport. By public transport the usual route is the M5 from Üsküdar to Kısıklı, then a taxi or minibus up the hill, because the walk from the station is long and uphill. Buses 11Ç and 11Ü also run from Üsküdar, according to secondary sources. Check Metro İstanbul on the day in case the M5 stops have changed.
From Sabiha Gökçen the rail route is the M4 to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, the Marmaray one stop to Üsküdar, then the M5. The M4 and M5 do not meet, so the Marmaray change is needed. A private transfer is simpler with luggage: Çamlıca is in the Üsküdar district, so the Üsküdar price is the one to start from, from €53 from Sabiha Gökçen and from €55 from Istanbul Airport. Tell us the mosque as your destination when you book. The price is shown before you pay.
Eyüp Sultan Mosque and the Pierre Loti Hill
The Eyüp Sultan complex holds the tomb of Ebu Eyüp el-Ansari, described as the standard-bearer of the Prophet, and it is a site of pilgrimage as well as a mosque. The first complex here was built in 1458 under Mehmed II. The present mosque was rebuilt from 1798 under Selim III, and it has İznik tile panels. It is very much an active place of worship, so dress modestly and keep prayer times in mind.
Two T5 tram stops serve the area. Eyüpsultan, which is also a Golden Horn ferry pier, is for the mosque. Eyüpsultan Teleferik is for the cable car, the cemetery and the Pierre Loti hill. The T5 runs from 06:00 to midnight between Eminönü and Alibeyköy. Balat is four stops from Eminönü, and Eyüpsultan is further on. Our Balat and Fener guide has the T5, the buses and the Golden Horn ferry.
The Cable Car to Pierre Loti
The TF2 cable car climbs from Eyüp to the Pierre Loti viewpoint in about three minutes. Paths also lead up through the cemetery behind the mosque, if you would rather walk. The cable car stops in strong wind, and the hours change with the season, so check the hours on the day before you plan around it.
Reaching Eyüp From the Airports
From Istanbul Airport the all-rail route is the M11 to Kağıthane, the M7 to Alibeyköy, then the T5 towards Eminönü to Eyüpsultan. The Havaist HVL-1 coach to Aksaray stops at Ayvansaray, a short tram ride along the T5. From Sabiha Gökçen the rail route is the M4, the Marmaray to Sirkeci, then the T5 from Eminönü, a long trip with bags. A private transfer to Eyüpsultan costs from €44 from Istanbul Airport and from €60 from Sabiha Gökçen. The lanes around the mosque are narrow, so the car usually stops on the shore side near the tram stop and the cable car, and you walk a few minutes. See the Eyüpsultan transfer page.
Rüstem Paşa Mosque and Yeni Cami at Eminönü
These two mosques are close to each other, around the Spice Bazaar and the Galata Bridge, and they combine easily with a visit to the bazaar or the ferry piers.
Rüstem Paşa was designed by Sinan for the Grand Vizier Rüstem Pasha, and it is known for its İznik tiles, dating from the mid-16th century. It sits on a terrace above vaulted shops and is reached by narrow stairs, which is easy to walk past. It reopened after a long restoration. It is a working mosque, so the usual rules apply.
Yeni Cami, the New Mosque, stands at the southern end of the Galata Bridge. Work began in 1597 under Safiye Sultan, and the mosque was completed in 1663 and inaugurated in 1665 under Turhan Sultan. It has 66 domes and semi-domes and two minarets. Do not confuse it with the Yeni Valide Mosque in Üsküdar.
For both, take the T1 tram to Eminönü. On rail from the airports, the Marmaray stop at Sirkeci is the other option: from Istanbul Airport take the M11 to Halkalı and the Marmaray to Sirkeci, or the M11 and M2 and then the T1, about 75 to 90 minutes. From Sabiha Gökçen it is the M4 to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, then the Marmaray two stops, about seven minutes, to Sirkeci. The Havaist HVL-13 stops at Eminönü İskele. Check the opening times of each mosque on the day. Our Eminönü and Sirkeci guide covers the area in more detail.
Ortaköy Mosque
The Ortaköy Mosque (Büyük Mecidiye Camii) stands on the water beside the European pylon of the 15 July Martyrs Bridge. It was built between 1854 and 1856 and restored after 2011. Entry is free, and it closes to visitors at prayer times and around midday on Fridays. There is no rail station at Ortaköy. The nearest bus stop is on Muallim Naci Caddesi, about 320 metres away, and bus 22 runs along the shore road. The square by the mosque is pedestrianised, so a car stops at the nearest open point and you walk the rest.
A transfer to Beşiktaş district, which includes Ortaköy, starts from €44 from Istanbul Airport and from €57 from Sabiha Gökçen. Everything about the shore, the buses and the ferry is in our Ortaköy and Bebek guide.
Transfer Prices to the Mosque Areas
| Area | Mosques | From Istanbul Airport | From Sabiha Gökçen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fatih | Süleymaniye, Rüstem Paşa, Yeni Cami | €48 | See the route page |
| Eyüpsultan | Eyüp Sultan, Pierre Loti | €44 | €60 |
| Üsküdar | Büyük Çamlıca | €55 | €53 |
| Beşiktaş | Ortaköy | €44 | €57 |
Prices are per vehicle (Mercedes Vito, up to 6 passengers), shown before you pay. Your driver waits just outside the arrivals exit and, after you land, sends the exact meeting point and a short video on WhatsApp. Our drivers speak English, and child seats are available on request. There is no extra charge for traffic or flight delays.
Planning a Day Around the Mosques
The mosques are spread across the city, so group them by area and keep the Friday noon window free.
- Old city half day: Süleymaniye in the morning, then Rüstem Paşa and Yeni Cami around the Spice Bazaar, with lunch nearby.
- Golden Horn half day: Eyüp Sultan and the cable car to Pierre Loti, with the T5 or a ferry for the way back.
- Asian side half day: Büyük Çamlıca, paired with Üsküdar if you want something by the water. See the Üsküdar guide.
- Bosphorus stop: Ortaköy fits with a day around Beşiktaş and Bebek.
If you want a driver for several of these on one day, or a stop on the way from the airport, ask us on WhatsApp before booking. Our Where to stay in Istanbul guide helps choose a base for the mosques you want to see, and the transfer prices page lists every route.
Sources — checked on 25 October 2026: Diyanet prayer times for Istanbul · Istanbul Airport public transport (M11) · istanbul.com mosque etiquette · istanbul.com Süleymaniye · istanbul.com Eyüp Sultan · Wikipedia: Çamlıca Mosque · Wikipedia: Eyüp Sultan Mosque · Wikipedia: Rüstem Pasha Mosque · Wikipedia: New Mosque · Wikipedia: T5 tram · Wikipedia: M5 metro
Euro amounts at €1 = ₺55.6.
Related guides: Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque · How to Get to Balat and Fener · Istanbul Airport to Üsküdar · Istanbul Sights: Hours and Tickets · Istanbul Airport to Ortaköy and Bebek · Istanbul Airport M11 Metro
Frequently asked questions
Which Istanbul mosques are worth visiting besides the Blue Mosque?
Süleymaniye in Fatih is the usual first choice, with its terrace over the Golden Horn. Eyüp Sultan, with the Pierre Loti hill above it, is the main mosque on the upper Golden Horn. Büyük Çamlıca on the Asian side is the largest modern mosque, and Rüstem Paşa, Yeni Cami and Ortaköy are smaller stops by the water.
Is it free to enter Süleymaniye, Çamlıca and Ortaköy?
Yes. Entry to Süleymaniye, Büyük Çamlıca and Ortaköy is free. The tombs in the Süleymaniye garden are reported to be free as well.
Can tourists visit the mosques on Friday?
Yes, but not around noon. The Friday noon prayer is the main prayer of the week, and big mosques usually close to sightseers until about 14:00 to 14:30. Go in the afternoon, or visit on another day.
What should I wear to visit an Istanbul mosque?
Cover your shoulders and knees. Women should cover their hair before entering the prayer space, and it is best to bring your own scarf. Take your shoes off before the carpeted area. Do not use flash, and do not photograph people who are praying.
What time are the prayers in Istanbul?
There are five daily prayers, and the times move with the sun, so they are different every day. Look up the day's times on the Diyanet prayer times page for Istanbul. Mosques usually close to visitors from about 30 minutes before each prayer until it ends.
How do I get to the Büyük Çamlıca Mosque?
The mosque is on Çamlıca Hill on the Asian side. The usual public route is the M5 from Üsküdar to Kısıklı, then a taxi or minibus up the hill, and buses 11Ç and 11Ü run from Üsküdar according to secondary sources. A private transfer to the Üsküdar district starts from €53 from Sabiha Gökçen and from €55 from Istanbul Airport.
How do I get from Eyüp Sultan Mosque to the Pierre Loti hill?
Take the TF2 cable car from the Eyüpsultan Teleferik area, a ride of about three minutes, or walk up through the cemetery behind the mosque. The cable car stops in strong wind and hours change with the season, so check them on the day.
How much is a transfer from the airport to Eyüp Sultan?
Our private transfer to Eyüpsultan starts from €44 per vehicle from Istanbul Airport and from €60 from Sabiha Gökçen. The price is shown before you pay, and the driver waits just outside the arrivals exit.
Which mosques can I combine in one morning?
Rüstem Paşa and Yeni Cami are close together at Eminönü, and Süleymaniye is a short ride or walk uphill from them. Eyüp and Çamlıca are on opposite sides of the city, so plan each as a separate trip.
Heading to Süleymaniye, Eyüp or Çamlıca?
Book a private transfer from Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen to the mosque area you are visiting. The price is per vehicle and shown before you pay, and your driver waits just outside the arrivals exit.
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