🕌 Hoe je de Suleymaniye-moskee bezoekt (en waarom deze vaak mooier is dan de Blauwe Moskee)

Istanbul’s skyline is a sea of domes and minarets — but if you’re looking for a moment of peace, panoramic views, and powerful beauty without the crowds, skip the lines at Sultanahmet and head uphill. Suleymaniye Mosque, perched atop one of Istanbul’s seven hills, offers everything the Blue Mosque does — and in many ways, even more.

This is Mimar Sinan’s architectural masterpiece, a place of sublime serenity and proportion, built under Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent. Visiting here isn’t just a stop — it’s an experience.

📍 Why Visit Suleymaniye Mosque?

• Hilltop location with panoramic views over the Golden Horn, Bosphorus, and Galata
• Fewer tourists = quieter, more spiritual atmosphere
• Ontworpen door Mimar Sinan, the most celebrated Ottoman architect
• Free entrance, photogenic courtyard, and peaceful garden tombs

👉 [Join a mosque-focused walking tour that includes Suleymaniye and hidden gems]

🚶‍♂️ How to Get to Suleymaniye Mosque

• From Sultanahmet: 15–20 min walk uphill via Divan Yolu and Vezneciler
• Tram: Get off at Beyazıt of Laleli-Üniversite, then walk 10 mins uphill
• Taxi: Use “Süleymaniye Camii” as your destination on apps

Tip: Approach from the north gate (near the terrace cafés) for the best view.

🕰️ Visiting Info & Etiquette

• Opening Hours:
  • Daily from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
  • Closed to tourists during prayer times (5x/day) — check local prayer schedule
• Entry Fee: Vrij
• Dress Code:
  • Women: cover hair, shoulders, and knees
  • Men: wear long pants
  • Free scarves and skirts usually available at the entrance

Etiquette Tips:

• Enter quietly
• Remove shoes
• Avoid stepping in front of people praying
• Photography allowed, but don’t use flash inside

🏛️ Architectural Highlights

Suleymaniye Mosque was completed in 1557, built by Mimar Sinan for Sultan Süleyman. It’s considered his greatest work — a perfect harmony of proportion, light, and acoustics.

• De main dome is 53 meters high, supported by semi-domes and elegant arches
• De courtyard is framed by graceful columns and domed porticos
• Sinan’s tomb lies just behind the mosque
• The garden also holds the mausoleum of Süleyman and Hürrem Sultan (Roxelana)

Inside, soft natural light filters through stained glass, and the space feels vast yet intimate — a reflection of Sinan’s genius.

🆚 Suleymaniye vs. Blue Mosque: Why It Might Be Better

👉 [Experience both mosques with a guided cultural tour of Islamic Istanbul]

☕ Bonus: What to Do Nearby

• Suleymaniye Terrace Cafés: Stunning views of the Bosphorus
• Rustem Pasha Mosque: A tiled hidden gem 10 mins downhill
• Valens Aqueduct & Zeyrek Mosque: Nearby historic sites
• Süleymaniye Kuru Fasulye (White Bean Stew): Traditional lunch spots around the mosque

🧭 Make It Meaningful

✨ See Istanbul’s spiritual side with an expert guide who explains the stories behind its great mosques.
Explore Suleymaniye, hidden hammams, and mosque courtyards few tourists find.
👉 [Click here to join a mosque and Islamic heritage walking tour]