On Çamlıca Hill in Üsküdar, on Istanbul’s Asian side, the Grand Çamlıca Mosque pairs Ottoman-Seljuk design with modern architecture and wide views across the city and Bosphorus. Completed in 2019, it is Turkey’s largest mosque, with a prayer hall that can accommodate up to 63,000 people. You can also visit the museum, library and art gallery, then follow the grounds towards the cafe and the hill behind it for more skyline views. Dress modestly, and women should cover their hair while on mosque grounds.
A modern mosque on Çamlıca Hill
The Grand Çamlıca Mosque stands in Üsküdar on Istanbul’s Asian side. Completed in 2019, it brings Ottoman and Seljuk architectural influences together with a modern design. Its position on Çamlıca Hill gives it a prominent place in the city skyline, and the views from the grounds reach across Istanbul and the Bosphorus.
The mosque has six minarets and a vast prayer hall that can accommodate up to 63,000 people. Its scale is part of the visit, but the complex is also a place of worship and a cultural centre. Keep a respectful manner in the prayer spaces, and dress modestly on the grounds. Women should cover their hair.
Inside the complex
Alongside the prayer hall, the complex includes a museum, a library, an art gallery and a conference hall. The museum focuses on Islamic civilizations. These spaces add cultural visits to the mosque’s religious and architectural significance, so allow time to explore beyond the main hall.
The building was designed in a style that draws on classical Ottoman architecture while using contemporary elements. Its connection to Istanbul’s wider mosque tradition is clear in its Ottoman and Seljuk references, though it is a recent addition rather than a historic monument. The scale of the site and the mix of worship, cultural spaces and public grounds set it apart from a brief stop for photographs.
Views and grounds
The landscaped grounds have green areas and picnic benches facing Istanbul. For a higher viewpoint, walk up to the cafe and then continue to the hill behind it. From there, you can look out over the city and the Bosphorus; the adjacent park also has viewpoints for watching the sunset.
The site is away from central Istanbul, so plan for the journey as part of your visit. Once there, you can move between the mosque, cultural spaces and outdoor areas at your own pace. Refreshment choices on-site are limited, so bring water and snacks if you expect to spend time on the hill. A quieter visit gives you more room to take in the grounds and the views.
Häufige Fragen
Where is the Grand Çamlıca Mosque?
It is on Çamlıca Hill in Üsküdar, on Istanbul’s Asian side.
When was the Grand Çamlıca Mosque completed?
The mosque was completed in 2019.
What can you visit at the mosque complex?
The complex includes a prayer hall, museum, library, art gallery and conference hall, as well as landscaped grounds.
What should women wear at the mosque?
Women should cover their hair while on the mosque grounds. Visitors should dress modestly, avoiding shorts and uncovered shoulders.
