The blue-domed Ottoman-style mosque beside Martyrs' Square, open to respectful non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times.
The Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, widely called the Blue Mosque, dominates Martyrs' Square with four 72-metre minarets and a blue dome, completed in 2007 and inspired by Ottoman architecture. It was commissioned by Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, who is buried in a tomb beside the mosque. Inside, a large carpeted prayer hall sits under a painted dome with calligraphy and chandeliers. Non-Muslim visitors are generally welcome outside prayer times if they dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered, and women wearing a headscarf; robes are usually available at the entrance. Visitors remove shoes. The mosque can close briefly for cleaning or for the five daily prayers, so a guard may ask visitors to return later. The exterior is easy to photograph from the square.
| Admission | Free; modest dress required |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily daytime; visitors enter outside the five daily prayers; no fixed tourist schedule is published |
| Typical visit | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Best time | Between morning and noon prayers, or mid-afternoon |
| Getting there | On foot from Downtown, Nijmeh Square or the Souks (5 to 10 minutes); taxi to Martyrs' Square |
| Address | Martyrs' Square, Downtown, Beirut |
Location
Martyrs' Square, Downtown, Beirut
33.8953, 35.5061 View on map
Highlights
- Blue dome and four minarets on Martyrs' Square
- Tomb of Rafic Hariri beside the mosque
- Carpeted prayer hall with calligraphy and chandeliers
- Next to the Roman and Ottoman sites of Downtown
Tips for visiting
- Cover shoulders and knees; women carry a scarf for the head; robes may be lent at the entrance.
- Avoid the five daily prayer times and Friday midday prayers.
- Remove shoes and keep voices low.
- Do not photograph worshippers.
When to visit
Mid-morning or mid-afternoon on weekdays.
Accessibility
Entrances have a ramp and the prayer hall is level; the shoe-removal area may be crowded.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-Muslims enter?
Generally yes, outside prayer times and in modest dress.
Is there an entry fee?
No.
What is the best time to go?
Between the morning and noon prayers or in mid-afternoon.