When to visit Süleymaniye Mosque | Opening hours & prayer times

Süleymaniye Mosque is open daily from 9am to 6pm, except during prayer times when the mosque closes temporarily to visitors.

Yes, Süleymaniye Mosque is open every day of the week, including weekends and public holidays, as it remains an active place of worship.

Visitors are not allowed inside during prayer times to respect worshippers, but you can enter again once prayers are finished, usually after about 30 minutes.

Prayer times vary daily according to sunrise and sunset, but the main prayers are held at Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night).

Yes, the mosque is open on Fridays, but it is closed to tourists during the main Friday prayer (around noon) and reopens shortly after the service ends.

Friday prayers typically last about 30 to 45 minutes, and visitors can enter once the congregation has finished and the mosque is open again.

The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon, when it is quieter and the sunlight enhances the beauty of the interiors and the views over the Golden Horn.

During Ramadan, visiting hours remain similar, but the mosque may close slightly earlier in the evening to prepare for the Tarawih prayers after sunset.

During major Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, the mosque may be closed to visitors during morning prayers but reopens later in the day.

Plan to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before closing to have enough time to explore the interior and courtyards without feeling rushed.

Yes, Süleymaniye Mosque guided tours are available throughout the day, usually starting shortly after prayer times, allowing visitors to explore the mosque and its complex in depth.