Perched on the hill of Çamlıca is a spiritual gem that combines Ottoman and modern architecture, where the breeze carries both the sounds of the city and the call to prayer. This is the place where you will meet the beautiful Çamlıca Mosque. Its six minarets pierce the sky, while its massive central dome seems to float above the prayer hall below.
With a capacity for 63,000 worshippers, it is Türkiye’s largest mosque, standing proudly in Üsküdar on the Asian side of Istanbul. With its breathtaking view of the city, this mosque is a piece of art well worth visiting. This is not your typical mosque.
Opened in 2019, it is not on the list of many travelers who come to explore the megalopolis. In fact, this beauty is in the shadow of its older sisters with historical pasts, which are more coveted by visitors.
It is sorrowful because it overlooks the city, and you can see it peeking at the top of this hill from many corners of Istanbul — you cannot miss it. The four main minarets stand at 107.1 meters tall – a nod to the Seljuk Turks’ victory in 1071.
Even Istanbul’s license plate number, which is 34, is honored in the dome’s diameter. Every detail has been carefully thought out, and nothing has been left to chance.
For example, in other famous mosques in Istanbul, such as Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque, the light does not enter enough, which makes the atmosphere seem more ancient. But in the Çamlıca Mosque, the interior is bathed in light, which highlights the architectural work of this masterpiece.
The first word you will say when you enter this place is « WOW ». I am sure you will be as speechless as I was when I went there for the first time.
Funny story related to that — my friend came to Istanbul to see me and, like any self-respecting Istanbul resident, I became her tourist guide. I already had my list in mind of the places I wanted her to see.
One day we were going to Kadıköy by taxi, and she saw the mosque and asked me, “Which mosque is that?” I told her I didn’t know. She told me we must visit it. I was confused. I told her, “But I already know which mosques I want to show you” (we all know which mosques I was talking about) — and she said, “I don’t care about them, I want to see this one because it seems to be incredible.”
And she was not wrong. I will always be very grateful to her because she allowed me to discover this treasure of serenity, lost in this city in constant turmoil.
I haven’t visited a lot of mosques in my life, but this one gave me a feeling of peace. Why peace? Because no matter how many people are inside this mosque, you feel like the place is empty because of the immensity of Çamlıca.
I don’t like crowded areas, and this is something I disliked about Istanbul. Everywhere is always full of people. So when you visit a tourist place, you can’t fully enjoy your visit because you will always see someone on your right, or your left, or behind you. You have to be fast to let everyone enjoy, so you can miss some details.
But for this mosque, you have the time to witness every detail you want — no one is disturbing you. I went there four times, and it was always calm and peaceful. Some people go there for praying, some go for the architecture, and some people, like me, just go there to seek peace of mind.
The interior is a mix of blue shades and white marble with gold details. There is a delicate balance of color – nothing feels overdone. It’s detailed, but still serene.
At night, the natural light of the sun coming from the windows gives way to gigantic chandeliers that hang like floating stars. It is not just beautiful — this place feels spiritual.
Even with all its grandeur, the design never loses sight of its purpose: creating a place where people connect with their faith, connect with each other, and with something bigger than themselves.
Even if you are not a religious person, you can still visit this place for educational purposes, or if you are interested in architecture and culture. You can also find there a wonderful museum of Islamic art, a library, coffee shops, and educational spaces for community use.
The mosque is surrounded by a huge terrace with a beautiful garden where roses and other flowers are blooming. The mosque also offers what might be one of the city’s most emblematic panoramas.
From there, you can see the Bosphorus linking two continents, while ferries look like toys in your eyes, moving slowly. It’s easy to go there — you just go to Üsküdar iskele and take a taxi or a regular bus. You can use Google Maps for public transportation information.
Best part is, the access to the mosque is free, so you just have to dress modestly and enjoy your visit. But in case you are not in the dress code — no problem — you can borrow clothes directly there.
So next time you are visiting Istanbul, or even if you already live there, please take a moment to visit this place. You will not regret it.
Çamlıca Mosque offers a uniquely Turkish experience away from the crowdedness of the city, blending the country’s rich past with its ambitious future. Not only historic places are worth visiting — open your heart to new horizons and give a chance to modernity. Especially in a city that never sleeps, this kind of place is a treasure.
