Rustem Pasha Mosque, Istanbul

Hidden in plain sight, just above the busy streets of Eminonu district, the Rüstem Pasha Mosque is the kind of place that makes you wonder why everyone isn’t talking about it nonstop. Built between 1561 and 1563, it was designed by the superstar architect of the Ottoman world, Mimar Sinan. The commission came from a very well-connected client: Grand Vizier Rüstem Pasha, who also happened to be married to Mihrimah Sultan, the daughter of none other than Suleiman the Magnificent. Yes—this mosque is basically a royal family affair...

What truly sets Rüstem Pasha Mosque apart is its show-stopping collection of Iznik tiles. We’re talking thousands of gleaming ceramics in rich patterns—floral bursts, twisting vines, and mesmerizing geometric shapes—sprawling across almost every surface. Even the porch and the columns outside are dressed to impress. And if you notice a special reddish hue in those tiles, that’s the famous tomato-red pigment of early Iznik artistry. No other mosque in Istanbul uses these tiles with such enthusiasm. It’s like the Ottomans’ ultimate interior design flex...

Structurally, the mosque sits above a vast complex of former shops, which historically proved to be an excellent business plan, since the rent from those shops helped pay the mosque's bills. Inside, the main dome is supported by four semi-domes in a design shaped like an octagon tucked into a rectangle. Marble columns hold up elegant side galleries to the north and south, giving the prayer hall a graceful, layered look.

Indeed, paired with its stunning tilework, this classic piece of Ottoman architecture can stop scrolling thumbs in their tracks. Also, finding the entrance here is part of the adventure: up a discreet stairway and through a small gate (just as if the mosque is testing who truly deserves its beauty...). But once inside, prepare for jaws to drop.

The entry is free, but the shoes must come off, and women are asked to cover their heads. And since the Spice Bazaar is practically next door, you can easily visit the two spots in one go to admire incredible art and then, perhaps, reward yourself with a bag of Turkish delight—all before lunch...