Mosques & Places of Worship
Price Without Pass: €10
Free with Istanbul Tourist Pass®
Your digital pass includes:
The New Mosque, one of the most important structures in Eminonu. In the heart of Eminonu, you are faced with one of the most magnificent examples of Istanbul's historical texture. This brilliant structure remains an important symbol that reflects the architectural richness and religious heritage of the Ottoman Empire. This mosque is a historical building that everyone who visits Istanbul should definitely see. If you want to see more mosques and historical buildings of Istanbul, the Istanbul Tourist Pass® offers you advantages to have this experience.
Check out our Tours & Attractions Admission Program.
Mobile ticketing - No need for printed voucher, we're digital!
Duration - Unlimited free time in New Mosque
Instant confirmation - No reservation is required.
Audio Guide - English
Professional audio guide in English
Discover the fascinating Ottoman architecture of the New Mosque in Istanbul's Eminönü district.
See the great architecture of the New Mosque.
Listen to the professionally prepared audio guide in English for the New Mosque and learn about the New Mosque.
Experience vibrant community life around the mosque.
Since the mosque is located on the shores of the Golden Horn, it offers a unique sea view.
The New Mosque is one of the most important architectural wonders of Ottoman History, and it has an important history behind it.
The construction of the New Mosque and its complex were started by Safiye Sultan in 1957. Safiye Sultan gained strength by receiving the title of Valide Sultan after his son, Sultan Mehmed III, ascended to the throne. Safiye Sultan built this mosque to show her power when her son came to the throne. And this is the main reason why this mosque was built. For this reason, this mosque is also known as Valide Sultan Mosque.
The first architect of the mosque, Davut Aga, determined the location of this place and drew its plans. The foundation of the mosque's construction was laid in 1598, and a ceremony was held with the dignitaries of the state. With the cannon fire from Tophane, the good news was given to Istanbul that the mosque had begun to be built. However, the construction stopped with the death of architect Davut Aga and then Sultan Mehmet III.
Later, Murat IV tried to continue the construction. However, it was given up because the prices were high. The mosque was damaged in the great Istanbul fire in 1660. After the fire, construction was restarted and completed in 1665 with the efforts of Turhan Hatice Sultan.
Just get into the amazing New Mosque. Self-discover this incredible place by listening to the specially curated audio guide, exclusively prepared by your Pass!
For this amazing experience and more, Buy Your Pass Now! Istanbul Tourist Pass® is here to make your Istanbul trip an unforgettable experience!
The New Mosque is open from 09:00 am - 06:00 pm every day but closed at prayer times.
Midday prayer time is 01:16 pm and afternoon prayer time is 05:14 pm.
To get to Eminönü, the New Mosque, take the T1 Bağcılar - Kabataş tram and get off at Eminönü station.
Get DirectionsThe Audio Guide is in English and accessible through your smartphone.
There is no entrance fee for the New Mosque.
New Mosque is a public place and you can visit freely out of pray times.
When visiting mosques in Istanbul, remember to wear modest clothing (arms and legs covered) and women must cover their hair with a scarf. If you forget to bring your own scarf, you can borrow one from a small stand before you enter the New Mosque.
As an active place of worship, the New Mosque may be closed for special ceremonies or events without notice.
Photography is permitted inside the mosque, but flash photography is not allowed.
The New Mosque reflects traditional Ottoman architecture. This means that you will learn what traditional Ottoman architecture was like in the New Mosque. Examining this mosque is enough to learn what Ottoman architecture was like.
The New Mosque has a medium plan and was built on a main dome with a diameter of 16.20 meters. The main dome was expanded with half domes in four directions. Two columns under the Sultan's gathering place are reddish marble columns brought after the conquer of Girit. The mosque was built using cut limestone, marble, and brick. It can be accessed from the cloistered courtyard through a gate in the north and two gates on the sides. There are also small doors on the sides towards the mihrab.
The windows are arranged in six rows, and the tiles cover the walls. The tiles, dominated by blue, turquoise, and green colors, extend from the floor to the top of the second row of windows. There is a square planned cloister in the north. In the courtyard, porticoes with pointed arches carried by twenty columns with muqarnas capitals and twenty-four units covered with domes are found. A shadirvan leaning on arches is located in the center of the courtyard. The mosque's external appearance is similar to that of the Suleymaniye Mosque, but it has a slightly more pointed pyramid-like structure. Its two minarets rise on a square base and are covered with lead-covered cones. Three sun clocks are on the courtyard wall in the southwest corner of the mosque.
The mosque's interior has a square plan, and its two sides are 41 meters long. There are four large piers supporting the central area. The interior expands with semidomes along the east-west axis. Small domes are at each corner and at the corners of the galleries.
In the northeast corner of the gallery is a gilded screen where members of the imperial court could attend services. The interior of the mosque is decorated with blue, green, and white Iznik tiles. The mihrab is decorated with gilded muqarnas and has a conical dome with marble columns. To the south of the mosque, in the corner of the courtyard wall, a building was built in 1816. This structure, made of cut stone, is connected to the entrance hall by a low-arched door. A passage from the main space to the east has been provided. There is Mahmud's signature and Poet Vasıf's inscription in the middle of the facade.
By having the Istanbul Tourist Pass®, you can visit more than 100+ attractions in Istanbul. You can save huge amount of time and money by not waiting in the long queues or paying fees at the entrances of the museums or for other facilities and activities. You can buy the Istanbul Tourist Pass®️ for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 days. So many attractions are available with Istanbul Tourist Pass®️ such as Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Dolmabahçe Palace, Sapanca Lake daily tour, Dinner on the Bosphorus, Istanbul Airport Shuttle etc. included in the pass. For more details and updated attractions available with the pass can be found on website.
Yes, photography is generally allowed in the New Mosque. However, it is important not to disturb worshipers or other visitors inside.
Yes, it is important to dress appropriately when visiting a mosque. Women should generally cover their heads and choose clothes with covered shoulders. Men should also wear long pants instead of shorts if possible.
Eminonu region is one of the oldest and touristic areas of Istanbul. Other important places close to the New Mosque include historical and cultural sites such as the Spice Bazaar, Galata Bridge, Sultanahmet Square and Hagia Sophia.
4.8 out of 5 stars
Istanbul Tourist Pass® has an average rating of 4.8 /5 from 1711 reviews
Read all traveler reviews →
The best time to visit is usually early morning or late afternoon. During these hours, the mosque may be quieter and the view more pleasant.