Visitor Tips for Selimiye Mosque — Essential Practical Advice

Dress Code — Detailed Guide

For Women

• Head covering: Required. A headscarf or large scarf that covers the hair and neck. Free headscarves are available at the mosque entrance, but bringing your own is more comfortable.
• Shoulders: Must be covered. No tank tops, sleeveless blouses, or off-shoulder tops.
• Legs: Skirts or trousers that cover the knees. No shorts, mini-skirts, or above-knee dresses.
• Arms: Ideally covered to the wrists, though forearms are generally acceptable.
• Tip: A lightweight long-sleeved shirt or cardigan and a maxi skirt or loose trousers is the easiest outfit for mosque visiting.

For Men

• Legs: Long trousers required. No shorts above the knee.
• Shoulders: T-shirts are acceptable, but sleeveless shirts (tank tops) are not.
• Head: No head covering required for men.
• Tip: Long trousers and a regular T-shirt or polo shirt is perfectly acceptable.

General Notes

• Shoes: Must be removed before entering the prayer hall. Plastic bags are provided at the entrance to carry your shoes.
• Socks: Bring clean socks — you will be walking on carpeted floors in your socks.
• Wraps at entrance: If your clothing does not meet requirements, free wraps (long skirts and headscarves) are available at the entrance. They are clean and regularly laundered, though bringing your own is preferred.

Mosque Etiquette

Before Entering

1. Remove your shoes at the entrance and place them in the provided plastic bag
2. If you are a woman without a headscarf, pick up a free one from the basket at the entrance
3. Turn off your phone's ringer (silent or vibrate mode)
4. Check that your clothing meets the dress code requirements

Inside the Mosque

• Walk quietly — this is an active place of worship
• Do not walk in front of people who are praying — walk behind them or wait
• Do not sit on the raised platform if people are praying on it
• Do not point your feet toward the mihrab (qibla wall) if sitting on the floor — tuck them to the side
• Speak in low voices — whisper if you need to communicate
• Do not touch the tilework or calligraphy — oils from hands damage delicate surfaces
• Supervise children — they are welcome but should be kept quiet

During Prayer Times

If you are inside the mosque when prayers begin:

• Move to the sides or back of the prayer hall
• Remain quiet and still
• Do not take photographs during the prayer
• Wait for the prayer to conclude (typically 10–15 minutes) before resuming your visit

Photography Rules and Tips

What's Allowed

• Smartphone and camera photography without flash
• Video recording without flash
• Photos of the architecture, tilework, calligraphy, and general interior

What's Not Allowed

• Flash photography (strictly enforced)
• Tripods inside the prayer hall
• Drone photography around the mosque complex
• Photographing worshippers during prayer
• Photographing women without their permission

Best Photography Tips

Interior Shots:

• Visit in the morning (09:00–11:00) for the best natural light
• Use a wide-angle lens to capture the full dome from the center of the prayer hall
• Set your camera to a high ISO (1600–3200) as the interior is dimmer than it appears
• Use a fast lens (f/2.8 or wider) for handheld shots without motion blur
• The best position for a dome shot is standing directly above the center carpet medallion

Exterior Shots:

• The classic view is from the northeast, showing all four minarets with the dome
• Golden hour (30 minutes before sunset) provides the warmest light
• The mosque is beautifully illuminated after dark — night photography is rewarding
• For the best aerial perspective without a drone, head to Kavak Square or the north side of the mosque

Detail Shots:

• The mihrab tilework is best photographed from close range with a macro or telephoto lens
• Look for the play of light and shadow on the calligraphic inscriptions
• The courtyard column capitals offer interesting geometric compositions

What to Combine with Your Visit

Same-Day Sights (Walking Distance)

• Eski Cami (Old Mosque): 5 minutes — dramatic calligraphic interior
• Uc Serefeli Mosque: 3 minutes — important pre-Selimiye mosque
• Arasta Bazaar: Adjacent — traditional crafts and Edirne soap
• Ali Pasa Bazaar: 5 minutes — another Mimar Sinan work
• Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts: Inside the complex

Worth the Extra Trip

• Beyazit II Complex: 2 km — remarkable hospital and music therapy museum
• Meric Bridge: 1.5 km — beautiful Ottoman bridge, great at sunset
• Kirkpinar Stadium: 3 km — site of the famous oil wrestling festival

Local Food to Try

Edirne has a distinctive culinary identity. Do not leave without trying:

1. Tava Ciger — Edirne's famous fried liver, sliced paper-thin and deep-fried. An acquired taste, but a must-try.
2. Badem Ezmesi — Edirne marzipan, distinctly different from European versions. Buy from traditional shops, not tourist stands.
3. Edirne Peyniri — The local white cheese, made with a blend of cow's and sheep's milk, aged in brine.
4. Kaymakli Kadayif — Shredded phyllo pastry soaked in syrup, topped with thick buffalo cream.
5. Supangle — Rich chocolate pudding that originated in Edirne.
6. Marmelat — Local fruit preserves, especially quince and rose petal.

Useful Turkish Phrases

English	Turkish	Pronunciation
Hello	Merhaba	MEHR-ha-ba
Thank you	Tesekkur ederim	teh-shek-KOOR eh-deh-REEM
Please	Lutfen	LOOT-fen
Yes / No	Evet / Hayir	eh-VET / ha-YEER
Where is Selimiye?	Selimiye nerede?	seh-lee-MEE-yeh neh-REH-deh
How much?	Ne kadar?	neh ka-DAR
Beautiful	Guzel	goo-ZEL
Excuse me	Afedersiniz	ah-feh-dehr-see-NEEZ
The bill, please	Hesap, lutfen	heh-SAP loot-FEN
Water	Su	soo

Weather by Season

Season	Temperature	Conditions	What to Bring
Spring (Mar–May)	10–22°C	Mild, occasional rain	Light layers, umbrella
Summer (Jun–Aug)	25–37°C	Hot and dry	Sunscreen, hat, water
Autumn (Sep–Nov)	8–22°C	Pleasant, clear	Light layers, jacket
Winter (Dec–Feb)	-2–8°C	Cold, occasional snow	Warm coat, gloves

Season-Specific Tips

• Summer: Start your visit early (09:00) to avoid peak heat. Carry water. The mosque interior is cooler than outside.
• Winter: The mosque is heated. Bring warm socks (you remove shoes at the entrance). Fewer tourists means a more peaceful experience.
• Rainy days: The courtyard can be wet — watch your step on marble surfaces. The interior is equally impressive in overcast light.

What to Bring

• Clean socks — essential for walking on mosque carpets
• Water bottle — especially in summer
• Camera — photography is allowed (no flash)
• Scarf — women need a head covering; having your own is more comfortable
• Cash — not all shops in the bazaar accept cards
• Comfortable walking shoes — the historic center is best explored on foot
• Sunscreen and hat — for summer visits
• Small daypack — for carrying shoes, water, and purchases from the bazaar