When Büyük Çamlıca Mosque was officially opened on 3 May 2019, Istanbul gained its most visible landmark in a generation. Rising 72 metres on the 268-metre Büyük Çamlıca hill in Üsküdar, the six-minaret complex is visible from the Bosphorus bridges and much of the European shore. But scale alone does not account for its significance: embedded within the complex is the İslam Medeniyetleri Müzesi — the Museum of Islamic Civilizations — a 10,000 sqm institution housing more than 600 works from across the Muslim world. This guide covers the architecture, the museum, practical visitor information and how to plan a half-day route around Çamlıca Hill.
Büyük Çamlıca Mosque: Turkey's Largest Religious Complex
Büyük Çamlıca Mosque is the largest mosque in Turkey by total complex area, covering approximately 57,500 sqm across the hilltop site. The carpeted indoor prayer area accommodates 25,000 worshippers, with a further 38,000 in the outer courtyard and terraces — 63,000 in total. Construction began with the laying of the foundation stone on 7 August 2013; the first Friday prayer was held on 7 March 2019; and the official opening ceremony took place on 3 May 2019. From the hilltop site at 268 metres above sea level, the view extends over both Bosphorus bridges and — on clear days — across to the European shore of Istanbul.
The project was developed under the direction of Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı) and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The competition design was created by architects Hayriye Gül Totu and Bahar Mızrak; the final construction project was led by Hacı Mehmet Güner. Classical Ottoman mosque design — cascading semi-domes, pencil minarets, wide arcaded portico — is interpreted at monumental scale with contemporary building technology throughout.
Architecture and Symbolic Numbers
The Dome — 72 Metres Tall, 34 Metres Wide
The central dome rises 72 metres from the ground. This figure references the 72 peoples (millets) of Istanbul across its history. The dome's internal diameter is 34 metres — matching Istanbul's vehicle licence-plate code. A ring of windows around the dome base floods the prayer hall with natural light in the tradition of Ottoman imperial mosques.
Six Minarets and Their Meaning
The mosque has six minarets: four at 107.1 metres (each with three şerefe / balconies) and two at 90 metres (each with two balconies). The four taller minarets encode the year of the Battle of Manzikert — 1071 — which opened Anatolia to Turkic settlement. The number six corresponds to the six pillars of Islamic faith (iman). At 107.1 metres, these are among the tallest minarets in Turkey.
Interior Materials and Spaces
The complex incorporates hand-painted İznik tiles, Afyon marble, and calligraphy panels throughout the interior. Stained-glass windows along the qibla wall cast coloured light across the prayer carpet. Beyond the prayer hall, the complex contains a library, a conference hall, an art gallery, administrative offices and the İslam Medeniyetleri Müzesi at the lower terrace level.
Büyük Çamlıca Mosque — Aerial View and Interior Tour
From Foundation Stone to Opening Day
The mosque's construction spanned almost six years and coincided with significant public discussion about the scale and visual impact of the project on the historic Çamlıca hilltop landscape.
The Islamic Civilizations Museum
Opened on 8 April 2022, the İslam Medeniyetleri Müzesi (Museum of Islamic Civilizations) occupies 10,000 sqm within the mosque complex and is one of the most significant new museum openings in Turkey in recent years. The collection spans more than 600 works drawn from Anatolian, Central Asian, Middle Eastern and North African Islamic traditions and is presented across 14 thematic galleries.
Exhibits include illuminated Qur'anic manuscripts, Ottoman miniature painting, Turkish tile and ceramic traditions, scientific instruments from the Golden Age of Islamic scholarship, and textiles and metalwork from across the broader Islamic world. Thematic galleries address astronomy, medicine, cartography and architecture alongside strictly devotional objects — the museum is conceived as a civilisational institution rather than a purely religious one.
Admission is free for Turkish citizens; foreign visitors pay a fee (currently 250 TL — verify the current rate before your visit). The museum is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday through Sunday 09:00–18:30. The museum entrance is separate from the mosque itself and is accessed from the lower terrace level of the complex.
Büyük Çamlıca Mosque — Visitor Experience and Complex Tour
Courtyard, Terrace and the Bosphorus View
The mosque's outer courtyard and perimeter terraces provide some of the finest panoramic views available from any public space on the Asian Side of Istanbul. At 268 metres above sea level on Büyük Çamlıca hill, the outlook takes in both the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and the Bosphorus Bridge, the European shore beyond, and the sweep of Üsküdar, Kadıköy and the Marmara coastline to the south.
The courtyard can accommodate up to 38,000 additional worshippers during major prayers and festivals such as Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. Outside prayer times it functions as a landscaped public space, with visitors moving freely between the mosque entrance, museum entrance, the library building and the outer terraces.
Note: Büyük Çamlıca (the mosque site, 268 m) and Küçük Çamlıca (the telecommunications tower and observation platform site) are two separate hills roughly 1–2 km apart. The Çamlıca Tower is on Küçük Çamlıca. If you are combining both in a single outing, allow at least half a day.
Practical Information
Visitor Details
Dress Code and Mosque Etiquette
Büyük Çamlıca Mosque is an active place of worship. The dress code applies to all visitors, including those visiting as tourists.
For All Visitors
- Shoulders: Must be covered for both men and women. Sleeveless tops and vest shirts are not permitted.
- Knees: Must be covered. Shorts and short skirts are not accepted at the entrance.
- Shoes: Removed at the mosque entrance. Carry a bag; shoe racks are provided but bring a bag to keep them with you.
For Women Visitors
A headscarf is required to enter the prayer hall. Headscarves are sometimes available at the entrance, but supply cannot be guaranteed. A lightweight scarf or shawl in your bag removes this uncertainty entirely.
Behaviour Inside
- Speak quietly, particularly near the prayer area.
- Do not walk in front of or photograph people at prayer.
- Photography is permitted in visitor areas; follow posted signs for restricted zones.
- Large backpacks and wheeled luggage may not be taken into the prayer hall.
- Food and drink are not permitted inside the mosque building.
How to Get to Büyük Çamlıca Mosque
By Bus from Üsküdar
The most direct public-transport route from the city centre is to reach Üsküdar via Marmaray or M5 metro, then take bus 15C to the mosque (approximately 20–30 minutes from Üsküdar, depending on traffic). An alternative: take the M5 metro to Bulgurlu station, then minibus 15CA to the mosque.
From Kadıköy
Bus 14F from Kadıköy runs to the Büyük Çamlıca area. Journey time is approximately 30–40 minutes.
From Istanbul Airport (IST)
By public transport, take the M11 metro into the city and transfer to the Asian Side via Marmaray; total journey time is typically 90–120 minutes with luggage. For a direct arrival, a private airport transfer from IST to Üsküdar or directly to the Çamlıca complex takes roughly 45–75 minutes depending on Bosphorus bridge conditions.
From Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gökçen is on the Asian Side, making the mosque considerably closer than from IST. A transfer from Sabiha Gökçen takes roughly 20–35 minutes by private vehicle — practical as a first stop before heading to the city centre.
By Car
The complex has 3,500 free underground parking spaces. The main access road is Kısıklı Caddesi in Üsküdar. On Fridays and during Eid prayers, traffic around the hill is heavy — a car with driver that drops off and collects avoids the parking pressure altogether.
Çamlıca Hill Half-Day Route
Büyük Çamlıca Mosque is the centrepiece of a rewarding half-day outing on the Asian Side combining architecture, museum time and panoramic views.
Morning Route (3–4 hours)
09:00 — Arrive when the museum opens. Explore the outer courtyard and terrace for morning light and the full Bosphorus panorama. 09:30 — Enter the İslam Medeniyetleri Müzesi for 1–1.5 hours. 11:00 — Visit the mosque interior outside prayer times. 12:00 — Walk or drive 1–2 km to Küçük Çamlıca for the observation platform and the Çamlıca Tower views, then return to Üsküdar for lunch.
Combine with Üsküdar and the Asian Side
Üsküdar square and the seafront are 20–30 minutes from the mosque by bus. The Çamlıca Hill tours guide covers other viewpoints on the hill. For a full-day programme around Üsküdar and Kadıköy, the Asian Side guide maps out the full range of stops.
With a Private Vehicle
A car with driver simplifies the Çamlıca outing considerably: the hill approach is steep, combining Büyük Çamlıca, Küçük Çamlıca and the Üsküdar waterfront in sequence is much easier with a driver who can wait between stops, and traffic on Fridays and Eid days is significantly reduced when you are not hunting for parking.
Is Büyük Çamlıca Mosque free to visit?
The mosque itself is free to enter. The İslam Medeniyetleri Müzesi (Museum of Islamic Civilizations) within the complex charges 250 TL for foreign visitors; Turkish citizens enter free. Verify the current museum admission rate before your visit as fees may change.
What are the opening hours of the Islamic Civilizations Museum?
The İslam Medeniyetleri Müzesi is open Tuesday to Sunday 09:00–18:30 and closed on Mondays. The mosque is open every day for the five daily prayers and for visitors outside prayer times.
What is the dress code at Büyük Çamlıca Mosque?
All visitors must have shoulders and knees covered. Women must wear a headscarf inside the prayer hall — bring your own as availability at the entrance cannot be guaranteed. Shoes are removed before entering the mosque and the dress code is enforced at the entrance.
How many minarets does Büyük Çamlıca Mosque have?
The mosque has six minarets: four at 107.1 metres height (each with three balconies) and two at 90 metres (each with two balconies). The height of 107.1 metres references the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. The number six corresponds to the six pillars of Islamic faith.
What is the difference between Büyük Çamlıca and Küçük Çamlıca?
Büyük Çamlıca (Great Çamlıca, 268 m) is where the mosque is located. Küçük Çamlıca (Little Çamlıca) is a separate hill approximately 1–2 km away where the Çamlıca telecommunications tower and observation platform are situated. Both can be combined in a half-day outing from Üsküdar.
Can you see the Bosphorus from Büyük Çamlıca Mosque?
Yes. The complex sits at 268 metres above sea level on Büyük Çamlıca hill, giving clear views over the Bosphorus, both suspension bridges, the European shore and — on clear days — the Prince Islands to the south. The outer courtyard terraces are the best vantage points.
How do I get to Büyük Çamlıca Mosque by public transport?
Reach Üsküdar by Marmaray or M5 metro, then take bus 15C to the mosque (approximately 20–30 minutes). Alternatively, take the M5 to Bulgurlu station and then minibus 15CA. From Kadıköy, bus 14F serves the area. The complex has 3,500 free underground parking spaces if you are driving.
How many people can Büyük Çamlıca Mosque hold?
The indoor carpeted prayer area accommodates approximately 25,000 worshippers. Including the outer courtyard and terrace areas, the total capacity is approximately 63,000 people during major religious events such as Eid al-Adha.
Who designed Büyük Çamlıca Mosque?
The winning competition design was created by architects Hayriye Gül Totu and Bahar Mızrak. The final construction project was led by Hacı Mehmet Güner. The project was developed under the Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı) and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
When was Büyük Çamlıca Mosque built?
The foundation stone was laid on 7 August 2013. Construction was completed after nearly six years. The first Friday prayer was held on 7 March 2019 and the official opening ceremony took place on 3 May 2019. The İslam Medeniyetleri Müzesi within the complex opened later, on 8 April 2022.
Getting to Çamlıca Hill — Private Transfer and Car with Driver
Büyük Çamlıca is 20–30 minutes from Üsküdar by bus, but a private vehicle makes it far easier to combine the mosque, the museum, Küçük Çamlıca and the waterfront in one half-day without timetables. Cab Istanbul operates private transfers from Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen, and car with driver hire for Asian Side day tours.