Bosphorus ferry cruise
Istanbul, Turkey
New Mosque (Yeni Cami), Istanbul
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Photo: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free, no ticket
- Hours
- Open daily; closed to visitors during the five daily prayers and on Fridays until the midday prayer ends
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 20 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Closed to visitors
- During the five daily prayers — today's times below
- Friday
- Worshippers only until the midday prayer ends, usually 14:00–14:30
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Dress code
- Shoulders and knees covered; headscarf for women
- Shoes
- Off at the prayer-hall door
- Hünkâr Kasrı
- Royal pavilion with its own entrance — open free when an exhibition is on
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Tram
- T1 to Eminönü — the stop is at the mosque
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Marmaray
- Sirkeci station, ≈ 5 min walk
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Ferries
- Eminönü piers across the road: Üsküdar, Kadıköy and Bosphorus tours
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Address
- Eminönü Square, Rüstem Paşa, Fatih
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Key facts
1597–1665nearly 70 years to build: begun by Safiye Sultan, finished by Turhan Sultan
2 sourcesi
TDV Encyclopedia of IslamEnglish and Russian Wikipedia30 Oct 1665opened with its first Friday prayer
2 sourcesi
TDV Encyclopedia of IslamRussian WikipediaSpice Bazaarpart of the same complex — its shop rents paid for the mosque
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TDV Encyclopedia of IslamEnglish and Russian WikipediaDavud Ağafirst architect, a pupil of Sinan; followed by Dalgıç Ahmed Ağa and Mustafa Ağa
2 sourcesi
TDV Encyclopedia of IslamEnglish and Russian Wikipedia1660the Great Fire — afterwards Turhan Sultan ordered the abandoned site completed
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TDV Encyclopedia of IslamEnglish Wikipedia2 minaretseach with three balconies (şerefe)
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TDV Encyclopedia of IslamRussian Wikipedia24 domesover the courtyard arcade, around an octagonal marble ablution fountain
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TDV Encyclopedia of IslamRussian WikipediaHünkâr Kasrıthe royal pavilion, linked by a long covered ramp to the sultan’s loge inside
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TDV Encyclopedia of IslamEnglish and Russian WikipediaTombTurhan Sultan, Mehmed IV, Mustafa II, Ahmed III, Mahmud I and Osman III are buried in the courtyard tomb
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TDV Encyclopedia of IslamEnglish Wikipedia6 Jan 2023reopened after a restoration that began in 2016
2 sourcesi
Kültür Envanteriİslam ve İhsan, January 2023Muvakkithanea timekeeper’s house added to the complex later
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TDV Encyclopedia of IslamKültür EnvanteriPrayer times today — when visitors can't enter
Loading today's times…
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.
Is the New Mosque worth visiting?
Yes, as a stop on the way — you will pass it anyway between the Galata Bridge, the Spice Bazaar and the ferries, and it costs nothing. The courtyard and the tiled prayer hall take 15–20 minutes.
Don't cross town just for it. For the finest mosque in the area, climb to the Süleymaniye; for the best tiles, duck into Rüstem Pasha, five minutes away.
How to get to the New Mosque from Sultanahmet
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map: on foot, by tram and by taxi. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Bosphorus ferry cruise is about 2 min away on foot.
- Spice Bazaar is about 3 min away on foot.
- Rüstem Pasha Mosque is about 5 min away on foot.
By public transport
- Tram T1 to Eminönü, then about 4 min on foot.
More tips
- Take tram T1 towards Kabataş from the Sultanahmet stop.
- Get off at Eminönü after three stops, about 10 minutes — the mosque is right there.
- Or walk downhill past Gülhane Park and Sirkeci station: about 20 minutes.
- On Marmaray, use Sirkeci station — 5 minutes on foot.
- From the Asian side, take a ferry from Üsküdar or Kadıköy to Eminönü pier.
What to see inside and around
- The courtyard — an arcade of 24 domes around a marble ablution fountain, open even during prayers.
- İznik tiles in blue, turquoise and green, with flowers and calligraphy. Less dazzling than Rüstem Pasha, but there are plenty.
- The mihrab with gilded muqarnas, and a marble minbar under a conical cap.
- The royal loge behind a gilded screen in the gallery, where the sultan prayed out of sight.
- Hünkâr Kasrı, the royal pavilion with its long covered ramp — now an exhibition space; step in if it's open.
- The view from the water — the domes stack up best from the Galata Bridge or a ferry deck.
A short history
Safiye Sultan, mother of Mehmed III, founded the mosque in 1597–1598 on the busy waterfront. Its first architect, Davud Ağa, had trained under Sinan. When Mehmed III died in 1603, Safiye was sent to the Old Palace and building stopped at the first row of windows.
The shell stood for half a century. After the Great Fire of 1660, Turhan Sultan, mother of Mehmed IV, had architect Mustafa Ağa finish it, and it opened with Friday prayers on 30 October 1665 as the Yeni Valide — the “New Queen Mother’s” — mosque.
The complex included a tomb, fountains, a school, the royal pavilion and a market whose rents funded the mosque: today's Spice Bazaar.
Eminönü: pigeons, piers and fish sandwiches
The square in front is one of Istanbul's busiest. People feed the pigeons on the mosque steps — kids usually love this part most.
Across the road are the Eminönü piers: Şehir Hatları ferries to Üsküdar and Kadıköy, and Bosphorus tour boats. By the Galata Bridge, rocking boats grill fish for balık ekmek — a fish sandwich eaten on low stools by the water.
It's crowded and noisy, especially in the evening and at weekends. Keep an eye on your phone and bag.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
New Mosque vs Süleymaniye vs Rüstem Pasha
| New Mosqueyou are here | 1597–1665 | Davud Ağa, Mustafa Ağa | Waterfront square, courtyard, royal pavilion | Free | 15–20 min | Busy square |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Süleymaniye | 1550–1557 | Mimar Sinan | Scale and Golden Horn views | Free | 45–60 min | Moderate |
| Rüstem Pasha | 1560s | Mimar Sinan | Wall-to-dome tiles | Free | ≈ 20 min | Quiet |
The New Mosque is the easy one on your path; the Süleymaniye is the one to make a detour for. All three fit into one morning on foot.
Istanbul's mosques compared
Every mosque and sacred site in Istanbul rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Hagia Sophia | 91 | 1 h 15 min | €25 | 20 min walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Mosque | 86 | 45 min | Free | 23 min walk |
| Süleymaniye Mosque | 70 | 45 min | Free | 12 min walk |
| Fatih Mosque | 52 | 30 min | Free | 33 min walk |
| Little Hagia Sophia | 46 | 20 min | Free | 27 min walk |
| Üsküdar | 45 | 1 h 30 min | Free | 3.8 km |
| New Mosqueyou are here | 44 | 20 min | Free | — |
| Rüstem Pasha Mosque | 44 | 20 min | Free | 5 min walk |
| Çamlıca Mosque | 42 | 45 min | Free | 8.5 km |
| Chora Church | 42 | 45 min | €20 | 3.2 km |
| Balat and Fener | 37 | 2 h | Free | 45 min walk |
| Pierre Loti Hill | 36 | 1 h | Free | 5.2 km |
| Ortaköy Mosque | 32 | 40 min | Free | 5.7 km |
Eminönü in half a day
From the Galata Bridge to the New Mosque, through the Spice Bazaar to Rüstem Pasha's tiles and up to the Süleymaniye. Add them in one tap and YesGo fits in the timing, lunch and walks.
- Galata Bridge20 min · Free
- 6 min walk from the previous stopNew Mosqueyou are here20 min · Free
- 3 min walk from the previous stopSpice Bazaar40 min · Free
- 4 min walk from the previous stopRüstem Pasha Mosque20 min · Free
- 8 min walk from the previous stopSüleymaniye Mosque45 min · Free
5 places · about 2 h 46 min with walks · 21 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
How to do it right
- Visit on your way into the Spice Bazaar — it's directly behind the mosque, part of the same complex.
- The courtyard stays open during prayers: wait by the fountain if the hall is closed.
- For brighter tiles, walk five minutes to Rüstem Pasha Mosque.
- Grab a balık ekmek at the boats by the Galata Bridge, then hop on a ferry to Üsküdar.
- The best photo is from the Galata Bridge after sunset.
Questions
Is the New Mosque in Istanbul free to visit?
Yes. It's a working mosque with no ticket and no entry fee.
What are the New Mosque's opening hours?
It's open daily, but visitors can't enter during the five daily prayers or on Fridays until the midday prayer ends, usually around 14:00–14:30.
Is the New Mosque worth visiting?
Yes, as a free 15–20-minute stop between the Galata Bridge, the Spice Bazaar and the ferries. Don't make a special trip — the Süleymaniye is the bigger draw nearby.
How do I get to the New Mosque?
Tram T1 to Eminönü — the stop is at the mosque. From Marmaray, use Sirkeci station, 5 minutes away. From the Asian side, take a ferry to Eminönü.
What is the dress code for the New Mosque?
Cover shoulders and knees; women cover their hair. Shoes come off at the prayer-hall door.
Why is it called the New Mosque?
Its full name, Yeni Valide Camii, means the New Queen Mother's Mosque. Built in 1597–1665, it was newer than the mosques around it, and the name stuck.
Can you visit the Hünkâr Kasrı?
The royal pavilion has its own entrance beside the mosque and now hosts exhibitions. It's free when open, but hours vary.
How far is the New Mosque from the Spice Bazaar?
Next door — the bazaar was built as part of the mosque complex. Its main entrance is right behind the mosque.
Is the New Mosque the same as Çamlıca Mosque?
No. The New Mosque is a 17th-century mosque at Eminönü on the European side. Çamlıca is Turkey's largest mosque, opened in 2019 on a hill in Üsküdar.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- TDV Encyclopedia of Islam: Yenicami Külliyesi
- English and Russian Wikipedia: New Mosque (Istanbul); Wikidata Q911720
- Kültür Envanteri: Yeni Cami — complex buildings and post-restoration reopening date
- İslam ve İhsan, January 2023 — reopening after restoration
- Istanbul.com — visitor rules
- Timeturk and İstiklal — exhibitions by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO) at the Hünkâr Kasrı
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