Rustem Pasha Mosque Tours and Activities

Rustem Pasha Mosque showing religious aspects, interior views and a mosque
Choose two or more items and save on your trip:
Nearly 500 years old, this secret treasure of spectacular tiles lies hidden in the middle of the Fatih district market.

Istanbul offers so many grand and awe-inspiring sights that sometimes some of the smaller beauties can be a little forgotten. Not many foreigners visit the Rüstem Pascha Mosque, but the ornate design of its wonderful decorative tiling makes it a hidden prize.

The famed architect Mimar Sinan, who served under three sultans and is responsible for some of the city's most well-known buildings, designed the mosque. It was called after the Grand Vizier Rüstem Pascha, who married one of the daughters of Suleiman the Magnificent. The Grand Vizier was immortalised by the naming of this mosque after he died in 1561.

Rüstem Pascha's main historical claim to fame is for scheming with the Sultan's wife, Roxelana, to attack Prince Mustafa's character. This lead to Mustafa's execution, and his replacement by Selim “the Sot”. Many historians argue that this series of events marks the beginning of the slow, but steady, decline of the Ottoman Empire.

The Rüstem Pascha Mosque is located in the market, at the bottom of the hill which hosts the Suleymaniye Mosque, built by Sultan Suleymaniye – a reflection of the strict hierarchy in the imperial system, with the Sultan above all else.

Follow a set of narrow steps up to the open courtyard on an elevated terrace with a view over the buzzing Spice Bazaar. Entering the mosque, the marvellous beauty of the tiles is revealed, in red, white and blue. The tiles are arranged in pleasing geometric patterns, and also in designs of different flowers. The interspersing of design with the soaring doorways and stone columns adds to the impressive effect.

The mosque is found on the Tahtakele neighbourhood in the Old City. It remains open as a place of prayer, and is therefore closed to visitors during the five daily prayer times, and also on Friday afternoons. These times are made clear by the loudspeaker calls to the faithful.

Air, helicopter & balloon tours

See all 72 activitiesOpens in new tab

Popular places to visit


Top Rustem Pasha Mosque Hotel & Accommodation Deals

Burckin Suleymaniye
Burckin Suleymaniye
süleymaniye mh.kanuni medresesi sokak, no 12, Istanbul
Burckin Suleymaniye
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
4 out of 5
Piyer Loti Cad No:7, Istanbul, Istanbul
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Radisson Hotel President Old Town Istanbul
Radisson Hotel President Old Town Istanbul
Tiyatro Caddesi, No. 25, Beyazit, Istanbul, Istanbul
Radisson Hotel President Old Town Istanbul
The Marmara Pera
The Marmara Pera
4 out of 5
Mesrutiyet Cad. Tepebasi, Istanbul, Istanbul
The Marmara Pera
Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel
Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel
5 out of 5
Divanyolu Cd. Alemdar Mah., Ticarethane Sk. No 10 Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel
The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul
The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul
5 out of 5
Suzer Plaza, Askerocagi Caddesi, No:6, Elmadag/Sisli, Istanbul
The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul
Niles Hotel Istanbul - Special Class
Niles Hotel Istanbul - Special Class
4 out of 5
Ordu Caddesi Dibekli Cami Sokak No: 13, Beyazit, Istanbul, Istanbul
Niles Hotel Istanbul - Special Class
GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa - Special Class
GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa - Special Class
5 out of 5
Akbiyik Cad No 46, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa - Special Class
Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul
Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul
5 out of 5
Visnezade Mah. Acisu Sok. NO. 19, Macka Besiktas, Istanbul, Istanbul
Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.