# Çamlıca Mosque (Grand Çamlıca Mosque), Istanbul

> Turkey’s largest mosque, opened in 2019 on Çamlıca Hill on the Asian side. It holds 63,000 people and has six minarets, four of them 107.1 m tall. Entry is free; visitors wait outside during prayers. Take the M5 metro to Kısıklı, then walk 20–30 minutes uphill. It is a new building, not a historic monument — come for the scale and the Bosphorus view. Allow 45 minutes, or 1.5 hours with the museum.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/camlica-mosque

- City: [Istanbul](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul), Turkey
- YesGo score: 42/100 (Yes, if nearby)
- Time on site: 45 min
- Entry: Free
- Opening hours: Open daily; visitors between prayers, and on Fridays after the midday prayer
- With kids: Fine with kids
- Mosque entry: Free, no ticket
- Prayer times: Visitors can't enter the prayer hall during the five daily prayers
- Friday: Worshippers only until the midday prayer ends
- Museum of Islamic Civilisations: 400 TL for foreign visitors, 150 TL for foreign students, under-6s free
- Museum closed: Mondays; ticket office 9:00–17:00
- Dress code: Shoulders and knees covered, headscarf for women; shoes off at the prayer hall
- Metro: M5 (Üsküdar–Çekmeköy) to Kısıklı, then ≈ 20–30 min uphill on foot
- Taxi: From Üsküdar ≈ 15–20 min without traffic
- Address: Ferah Yolu Sk. 87, Ferah, Üsküdar
- Coordinates: 41.03453, 29.07059
- Facts checked: 29.10.2026

## Key facts

- **63,000** — people at once — the largest mosque in Turkey (source: CNN Türk, opening report 03.05.2019; English Wikipedia)
- **107.1 m** — height of the four main minarets — a nod to the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 (source: CNN Türk, 03.05.2019; English Wikipedia)
- **2019** — opened: first prayers on 7 March, official inauguration on 3 May (source: English Wikipedia; CNN Türk, 03.05.2019)
- **6 minarets** — four of 107.1 m with three balconies, two of 90 m with two (source: CNN Türk, 03.05.2019; English Wikipedia)
- **72 m** — height of the main dome; 34 m across (source: CNN Türk, 03.05.2019; English Wikipedia)
- **16** — minaret balconies (şerefe) in total (source: CNN Türk, 03.05.2019; English Wikipedia)
- **Bahar Mızrak & Hayriye Gül Totu** — the two women architects who designed it (source: English Wikipedia; Art of Wayfaring guide)
- **7.77 m** — tall finial on the main dome, weighing 4.5 tonnes (source: CNN Türk, 03.05.2019; English Wikipedia)
- **6 t** — weight of the carved main gate, 6.5 m high (source: CNN Türk, 03.05.2019; English Wikipedia)
- **600+** — objects from the 7th–19th centuries in the Museum of Islamic Civilisations below the mosque (source: National Palaces of Türkiye (Milli Saraylar); English Wikipedia)
- **3,500** — cars fit in the complex's underground car park (source: CNN Türk, 03.05.2019; English Wikipedia)

## Is Çamlıca Mosque worth visiting?

Yes — if you want to see the scale of modern Turkey’s biggest mosque and one of the best free views of the Bosphorus from the Asian side. It is quiet compared with the old city, and the hilltop at sunset is lovely.

But be honest about the trip: it is about an hour each way from Sultanahmet, and the mosque itself takes 45 minutes. It is a 2019 building in Ottoman style, not a historic site. On a short first visit, the [Blue Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/blue-mosque) and [Süleymaniye](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/suleymaniye-mosque) come first.

## Prayer times today — when visitors can't enter

Prayer times follow the Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet). There is no official closing window, so leave a margin: arrive at least 40 minutes after a prayer starts.

Today's prayer times are on the web page: https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/camlica-mosque

## How to get to Çamlıca Mosque from Sultanahmet

1. Cross to Üsküdar: the Marmaray train from Sirkeci (one stop under the Bosphorus) or the ferry from Eminönü, about 20 minutes.
2. At Üsküdar, change to the M5 metro (Üsküdar–Çekmeköy) and ride four stops to Kısıklı.
3. From Kısıklı, walk uphill for 20–30 minutes, partly through Çamlıca Park — the mosque is signposted.
4. Skip the climb: a taxi from Kısıklı or straight from Üsküdar pier takes ≈ 15–20 minutes without traffic.
5. Check today’s prayer times above and go in between prayers.
6. Head back down to Üsküdar for sunset at the [Maiden’s Tower](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/maidens-tower).

## Entrance fee, hours and dress code

The mosque is **free** and open every day. Visitors are asked to step out during the five daily prayers, and on Fridays the hall is for worshippers until the midday prayer ends.

Cover shoulders and knees; women need a headscarf. Shoes come off at the door of the carpeted prayer hall. Quiet photos are fine — just don’t photograph people praying.

The **Museum of Islamic Civilisations** in the complex is the only paid part: 400 TL for foreign visitors, closed on Mondays, tickets 9:00–17:00.

## About the mosque

**Büyük Çamlıca Camii** — the Grand Çamlıca Mosque — took six years to build and opened in 2019: first prayers on 7 March, the official inauguration on 3 May. It was designed by two women architects, Bahar Mızrak and Hayriye Gül Totu.

The numbers are symbolic. The 72 m dome stands for the 72 nations said to live in Istanbul, its 34 m span for the city’s licence-plate code, and the four 107.1 m minarets for the Seljuk victory at Manzikert in 1071. Beneath it are a museum, an art gallery, a library, a conference hall and parking for 3,500 cars.

## What to see

- The prayer hall under the 72-metre dome — the reason to come is the sheer size.
- The great chandelier, stained glass and calligraphy around the dome.
- The arcaded courtyard and all six minarets, best seen from the main gate.
- The **Museum of Islamic Civilisations**: 600+ objects from the 7th–19th centuries in 15 themed sections — Qur’ans, calligraphy, tiles, textiles and science.
- The Bosphorus and its bridges from the terraces around the mosque.

## Çamlıca Hill and Çamlıca Tower

The Çamlıca hills are the highest on the Asian side, and the terraces around the mosque look over the Bosphorus, the bridges and the European shore — free of charge.

On neighbouring Küçük Çamlıca hill stands **Çamlıca Tower**, 369 m tall and opened in 2021. Its observation decks are on floors 33 and 34, about 150 m above the ground. It is paid and open seven days a week; buy on the tower’s official website or at the gate. It is ≈ 2 km from the mosque — easiest by taxi.

## Before you go: checklist

- [ ] Checked today’s prayer times
- [ ] It isn’t Friday morning
- [ ] Shoulders and knees covered, scarf packed
- [ ] Istanbulkart topped up for Marmaray or the ferry and the metro
- [ ] Comfortable shoes for the uphill walk
- [ ] Museum? Not on a Monday, and before 17:00

## Çamlıca vs the Blue Mosque and Süleymaniye

|  | Çamlıca | Blue Mosque | Süleymaniye |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Built | 2013–2019 | 1609–1616 | 1550–1557 |
| Shore | Asian, Üsküdar | European, Sultanahmet | European, old city |
| Minarets | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Entry | Free | Free | Free |
| From Sultanahmet | ≈ 1 h | Right there | ≈ 20 min walk |
| Crowds | Quiet | Very busy | Moderate |

Seeing just one mosque? Make it the Blue Mosque or Süleymaniye — that’s the history. Çamlıca suits a second trip or a day on the Asian side.

## Istanbul's mosques compared

Every mosque in Istanbul rated by YesGo.

- [Hagia Sophia](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/hagia-sophia) — YesGo score 91/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · €25
- [Blue Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/blue-mosque) — YesGo score 86/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · Free
- [Süleymaniye Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/suleymaniye-mosque) — YesGo score 70/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · Free
- [Fatih Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/fatih-mosque) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free
- [Little Hagia Sophia](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/little-hagia-sophia) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
- [Üsküdar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/uskudar) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free
- [Rüstem Pasha Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/rustem-pasha-mosque) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
- [New Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/new-mosque) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
- [Çamlıca Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/camlica-mosque) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free
- [Chora Church](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/chora-church) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · €20
- [Balat and Fener](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/balat) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free
- [Pierre Loti Hill](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/pierre-loti-hill) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free
- [Ortaköy Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/ortakoy-mosque) — YesGo score 32/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · Free

## The Asian side in half a day

Çamlıca Hill, down to Üsküdar, sunset at the Maiden’s Tower and an evening in Kadıköy.

1. [Çamlıca Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/camlica-mosque) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free
2. [Üsküdar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/uskudar) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free
3. [Maiden’s Tower](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/maidens-tower) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 45 min · Boat and entry: verifying
4. [Kadıköy](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/kadikoy) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free

> **Go for sunset** By day it’s a very big mosque; at sunset it’s the best view of the Bosphorus from the Asian side, and the lights come on after dark. Just check the evening prayer time above.

## Good to know

There are two hills: Büyük (“Big”) and Küçük (“Little”) Çamlıca. The mosque and the tower stand on different ones, about 2 km apart. The Museum of Islamic Civilisations here is not the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts on Sultanahmet Square.

## Tips

- Pair it with [Üsküdar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/uskudar): the M5 metro starts right by the pier.
- From the old city, Marmaray to Üsküdar is quicker than the ferry.
- Don’t fancy the climb? A taxi from Kısıklı station is cheap and only a few minutes.
- Weekdays are calmer; at weekends families come from all over Istanbul.
- Flying into Sabiha Gökçen? Çamlıca is almost on your way into the city.

## Questions

### Is Çamlıca Mosque free to enter?

Yes, there is no ticket. Only the Museum of Islamic Civilisations in the complex charges: 400 TL for foreign visitors.

### How do I get to Çamlıca Mosque?

Marmaray or the ferry to Üsküdar, then the M5 metro to Kısıklı and a 20–30 minute uphill walk. A taxi from Kısıklı or Üsküdar pier is the easy option.

### What are Çamlıca Mosque opening hours?

It is open every day. Visitors can’t enter during the five daily prayers, or on Friday until the midday prayer ends — check today’s times on this page.

### Is Çamlıca Mosque the largest mosque in Turkey?

Yes. It holds 63,000 people and has six minarets, four of them 107.1 m tall.

### Is Çamlıca Mosque worth visiting?

For the scale and the free Bosphorus view, yes — especially at sunset. On a short first trip, prioritise the Blue Mosque and Süleymaniye; Çamlıca is about an hour from Sultanahmet.

### What should I wear to Çamlıca Mosque?

Cover shoulders and knees; women need a headscarf. Shoes come off at the prayer hall door.

### When was Çamlıca Mosque built?

Construction ran from 2013; it opened for prayers on 7 March 2019 and was officially inaugurated on 3 May 2019.

### Is Çamlıca Tower next to the mosque?

It is on the neighbouring hill, Küçük Çamlıca, about 2 km away. The observation decks are paid and open daily.

### How long do you need at Çamlıca Mosque?

About 45 minutes for the mosque and terraces, 1.5 hours with the museum — plus roughly an hour each way from Sultanahmet.

## How we checked

Museum fares, closing day and ticket-office hours come from the official National Palaces page. The mosque’s dimensions are checked against CNN Türk’s opening-day report and English Wikipedia. Capacity figures differ: 63,000 is the total (CNN Türk, Wikipedia), 25,000 the carpeted prayer area alone — we show the total. The dome span is 34 m, though some news reports say 35 m. Conference-hall seating differs (1,000 vs 1,071), so we leave it out. Walking time from the metro, taxi time and the dress code come from travel guides and are marked “verifying”. The tower’s website gives no foreign-visitor price we could confirm, so we don’t quote one. A metro branch to the mosque itself (M14 from Altunizade) is still under construction.

## Sources

- CNN Türk: Büyük Çamlıca Camisi'nin resmi açılış töreni, 03.05.2019 — dimensions, capacity, minarets
- English Wikipedia: Çamlıca Mosque; Wikidata Q18341384
- National Palaces of Türkiye (Milli Saraylar Başkanlığı): İslam Medeniyetleri Müzesi — address, fares, closing day, 29.10.2026
- Çamlıca Tower official website — observation decks, open seven days
- English Wikipedia: Çamlıca Tower
- The Turkey Traveler and Chasing the Donkey guides — the route from Kısıklı station

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