Blue Mosque vs Hagia Sophia: Complete Comparison

Two Icons, One Square: Blue Mosque vs Hagia Sophia

Standing face to face across Istanbul's Sultanahmet Square, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are the two most celebrated landmarks in the city. Every year, millions of travelers visit both — yet they represent vastly different eras, architectural philosophies, and cultural legacies. If you're planning a trip to Istanbul and wondering how these two masterpieces compare, this comprehensive guide breaks down everything from history and architecture to visiting logistics and the best times to go.

Historical Background

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia was built in 537 AD as a Greek Orthodox cathedral under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. For nearly a millennium, it was the largest cathedral in the world and the spiritual center of Eastern Christianity. After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, Sultan Mehmed II converted it into a mosque. In 1934, Atatürk turned it into a museum, and in 2020 it was reconverted into a functioning mosque. Its history spans nearly 1,500 years and three distinct religious identities.

Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)

The Blue Mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 by Sultan Ahmed I, who was just 19 years old when he commissioned it. Designed by the royal architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa, a student of the legendary Mimar Sinan, the mosque was intended to rival and even surpass Hagia Sophia in grandeur. It remains an active mosque to this day and has never changed its function since its completion over 400 years ago.

Architecture & Design

Hagia Sophia's Architecture

Hagia Sophia is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Its defining feature is the massive central dome, which measures 31 meters in diameter and rises 56 meters above the floor. The dome appears to float on a ring of 40 windows, creating an ethereal interior bathed in natural light. The structure combines massive brick walls, marble columns recycled from ancient temples, and an intricate system of semi-domes and pendentives that distribute the weight of the central dome. Inside, layers of history coexist — Byzantine gold mosaics depicting Christ, the Virgin Mary, and saints share space with Ottoman-era Islamic calligraphy medallions and a marble mihrab pointing toward Mecca.

Blue Mosque's Architecture

The Blue Mosque is a triumph of classical Ottoman architecture. Its exterior is defined by a cascading system of domes and semi-domes that create a graceful pyramidal silhouette, crowned by a central dome 23.5 meters in diameter. It is the only mosque in Istanbul with six minarets, a controversial choice at the time since it matched the number at the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. The interior is what gives the mosque its famous nickname — over 20,000 handmade İznik tiles in more than 50 different tulip designs cover the walls, predominantly in blue, white, and green patterns. The 200 stained glass windows filter colored light throughout the prayer hall, creating an atmosphere of serene beauty.

Side-by-Side Comparison

When it comes to age, Hagia Sophia is roughly 1,100 years older. Its dome is larger at 31 meters compared to the Blue Mosque's 23.5 meters, and its interior feels more dramatic and monumental due to its sheer scale and the contrast of Byzantine and Ottoman elements. The Blue Mosque, however, offers a more harmonious and purely Islamic aesthetic experience with its stunning tile work and unified design vision. Hagia Sophia's interior is darker and more mysterious, while the Blue Mosque is brighter and more colorful thanks to its many windows and blue tiles.

In terms of minarets, the Blue Mosque has six compared to Hagia Sophia's four. Both buildings are visible together in the Istanbul skyline and create one of the most photographed panoramas in the world. From a cultural significance standpoint, Hagia Sophia represents the transition between civilizations, while the Blue Mosque embodies the confidence and artistic peak of the Ottoman Empire.

Visiting Logistics

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia now requires a ticket for foreign visitors, priced at approximately 25 EUR. It is open daily between prayer times. Women must wear headscarves, and shoes must be removed. The building can get extremely crowded, especially between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Online ticket purchase is strongly recommended to skip the queues. The best time to visit is early morning on a weekday.

Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque remains free to enter for all visitors. It is open daily but closes to tourists during the five daily prayer times, each lasting about 30 minutes. The same dress code applies — headscarves for women, covered shoulders and knees for both genders, and shoes removed at the entrance. The mosque provides free coverings at the entrance. Tourist access is through a dedicated side entrance rather than the main prayer entrance.

Best Time to Visit Both

Since both landmarks are just 200 meters apart in Sultanahmet Square, most visitors explore them on the same day. The ideal strategy is to visit Hagia Sophia first thing in the morning when it opens, then walk across the square to the Blue Mosque. This avoids the heaviest crowds at both sites. For the best overall experience, plan your visit during spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October) when the weather is mild and tourist numbers are more manageable. Always check the Istanbul weather forecast before heading out.

If you're visiting in summer (June–August), be prepared for heat and large tour groups. Winter visits (December–February) offer much smaller crowds but colder weather — check Istanbul daylight hours to plan accordingly, as shorter days mean less time for sightseeing.

Photography Tips

For the best photographs of both buildings together, head to the grassy area between them in Sultanahmet Square. The golden hour before sunset creates magnificent warm light on both facades. Inside Hagia Sophia, the morning light streaming through the dome windows creates dramatic beams of light — no flash is needed or allowed. Inside the Blue Mosque, the blue tiles photograph best with natural light from the windows, so a bright day will give you the richest colors. Tripods are not permitted inside either building.

Which Should You Visit?

The honest answer is both — they're so close together that skipping one would be a missed opportunity. However, if you truly must choose, it depends on your interests. Choose Hagia Sophia if you're fascinated by ancient history, the meeting of civilizations, and want to see one of the most important buildings in human history. Choose the Blue Mosque if you want to experience the beauty of classical Ottoman mosque architecture and the mesmerizing İznik tile work in a free, still-functioning place of worship.

For a deeper exploration of the Istanbul district area, combine your Sultanahmet visit with the nearby Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, and a walk to the Grand Bazaar. Use the WFY24 Route Planner to map your walking route between all the major sites. And for broader travel planning across Turkey, explore our complete collection of weather and travel guides to make the most of your Turkish adventure.