When talk to people about traveling to Turkey perhaps the most common question we get is regarding the Blue Mosque Dress Code. For me no trip to Istanbul is complete without making a visit to the stunning Blue Mosque but it does require a bit of planning especially in relation to your outfit. In this guide we round up the Blue Mosque Dress code alongside some outfit inspiration and information for your visit.
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Blue Mosque Dress code
Whenever you are visiting a Muslim country such as Turkey I think the main question you have is regarding dress code. And this is of course amplified when you are visiting a religious site in an Islamic country i.e. the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi or the Hagia Sophia also in Istanbul for instance.
Overall the Blue Mosque dress code requires visitors to dress modestly. This includes:
- keeping yourself covered to the ankles
- keeping your shoulders covered
- no overly tight or revealing clothing
- nothing see-through.
You are also not permitted to wear hats inside of the mosque or try to use a hat instead of a head scarf to cover your hair in the case of ladies.
And these rules apply to both men and women. For some reason people tend to think rules are religious sites (i.e. at churches in Italy. such as the Vatican City or temples in Thailand or Bali), only apply to women but this really isn’t the case.
So how does this dress code translate to what to wear to in the mosque itself?
Also Please note: The Blue Mosque is open every day and free to all visitors but you can not go inside during prayers a tourist. Muslims pray 5 times a day and prayer times change throughout the year. Be sure to check the prayer times before your visit to make sure you allow yourself enough time to see the Mosque.
For more information on regional dress codes check out our other Turkey posts:
What to Wear to Blue Mosque for Women
The Blue Mosque dress code for women means that you must be covered and modest. Also it is one of the few places in Turkey where you will be required to cover your head.
We often get a lot of questions about whether you need to wear an abaya at Blue Mosque. I think the reason for this is because you see many people in photos wearing them. And the truth is you do not have to wear an abaya if you are appropriately dressed.
This means that you must keep covered as well as not having overly revealing, see through or tight clothing.
Therefore the best things that you could wear to Blue Mosque as a woman that would meet the dress code include:
- A Maxi Dress – this would need to be down to your ankle with no slit that reveals the leg. Have long sleeves and not be low on the back or your chest.
- A Maxi Skirt – this would need to be down to your ankle with no slit that reveals the leg.
- Loose Cool Cotton or Linen Trousers
- A Blouse – It would need to be loose and long sleeved and not revealing on the chest. And although we recommend light weigh fabrics the blouse should not be sheer even when hit by light.
- And of course a pashmina that can be used as a head scarf.
But if you are visiting Istanbul in Winter you will want to add jeans and sweaters and coats to this list as the weather in Istanbul during Winter can be cold and will require laters.
What to Wear to Blue Mosque for Men
The Blue Mosque Dress Code for men means that like for women you must be covered and conservative in your attire.
My husband recommends cool cotton ankle length trousers and a long sleeve shirt for summer but jeans and sweaters in the winter.
Shorts are not permissible for men or women at the mosque.
Best Shoes for the Blue Mosque
As with any mosque, you are required to remove your shoes to enter the mosque building. Therefore for this reason we recommend wearing slip on shoes.
We either choose to wear slip on slip off sneakers such as Go Walks by Sketchers when we visit Turkey during Winter or after the rain (the marble in the mosque can get VERY slippy) or in the summer we wear sandals with arch support.
How to dress Children for a visit to Blue Mosque
It is worth noting that small children do not need to adhere to the same regulations as adults who it comes to dress code if they are yet to hit puberty.
However I always dress my little ones respectfully when in religious sites and longer length items can also help with sun protection.
FAQS About Blue Mosque Dress Code
What happens if you don’t meet the dress code?
Every visitor to the Blue Mosque will have their outfit assessed for compliance to the Mosque dress code. But what happens when your outfit does not meet the required dress code.
The Blue Mosque will rent visitors for free skirts, scarfs and other items that will make their outfit more modest and allow them to enter.
Can you wear shorts to the Blue Mosque?
No you can’t wear shorts to the grand mosque. You need to be covered to the ankle so shorts are not permitted to be worn at the Mosque.
Can you wear jeans to Blue Mosque?
Yes you can wear jeans to the Blue Mosque providing that they are not ripped and go down to your ankle. However we would not recommend skinny jeans for the Blue Mosque as this goes against the ethos of the rules.
Also consider that in the summer jeans may be very hot to wear at the mosque. However in Winter I would say jeans are a great choice.
Can you wear ripped jeans to Blue Mosque?
No you can’t wear ripped jeans to the Blue Mosque unless you wear an abaya over the top.
Can you wear skinny jeans to Blue Mosque?
You shouldn’t wear skinny jeans to the grand mosque unless you plan to wear an abaya on top as these are too tight fitting to be appropriate mosque wear.
Do you have more questions about the Blue Mosque Dress code? Leave any questions below and we will answer as soon as we can.