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This ticket has the following options you can choose from:
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** Historian Guided Hagia Sophia**
Bosphorus Cruise
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Duration: 1 hour
Super Flexible Cancellation Policy: You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund on your purchase.
Book TicketsDuration: Flexible
Super Flexible Cancellation Policy: You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund on your purchase.
Book TicketsDuration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Super Flexible Cancellation Policy: You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund on your purchase.
Book TicketsDuration: 168 hours
Super Flexible Cancellation Policy: You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund on your purchase.
Book TicketsThe Hagia Sophia, also known as the Ayasofya in Turkish, had been built as a church during Emperor Justinian’s reign. One of its most famous mosaics depicts Justinian giving Ayasofya and Constantine gifting Constantinople to Mother Mary. The several gold, silver, glass, and terracotta mosaics inside showcase the unique history of the Hagia Sophia mosque.
Hagia Sophia HistoryIt is rumored that the Hagia Sophia has over 361 doors and every time a person opens any one of the 101 giant talisman doors, another one appears. The Emperor’s Gate dates back to the 6th century and as its name suggests, was used by the Emperor of its time. Some sources also state that the bronze neck and the wooden gate had pieces of Noah’s Ark.
Hagia Sophia ArchitectureThe Wish Column, located in the northwest direction of the Hagia Sophia, gained popularity among the public over time. It is said that Emperor Iustianos experienced a severe headache, that went away when he touched this column. Since then, it is believed that if one puts their fingers inside the cavity and uses the wetness to rub it around, their disease will be cured. The wetness inside the cavern is said to be the tears of Mother Mary.
As you enter the Hagia Sophia, you will see a circle, surrounded by other circles. It is the coronation spot of the Roman Emperors. The candidate would be given the crown at the center. The ancient ones referred to it as the Omphalion of Ayasofya. The literal translation of Omphalion is ‘belly button’ and is named so because if you stand at the center and speak, you can be heard from any corner of the Ayasofya.
A section of the Hagia Sophia mosque has a niche, not exactly at the center, from where the Imam leads the prayers. The structure is carved with ornate artwork and mosaics on its surface. When the Ottomans set up the structure, they made sure to tilt it in the direction of Mecca. The Mihrab is a common feature in most mosques. Some also have Minrabs, which are stairs leading the Imam higher up, from where they pray facing Mecca.
Open: Daily
Closed: Prayer hours and during noon prayers on Fridays
Duration of Visit: 1 to 2 hours
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the Hagia Sophia are early mornings and late afternoons when there are fewer people inside the mosque and the golden sun, bathes the central dome in a beautiful light.
Plan Your Visit to the Hagia SophiaAddress: Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, 34122 Fatih İstanbul, Turkey
You can purchase Hagia Sophia tours online. It is best to book tickets in advance to reserve your spot so that you do not miss your attraction.
Yes, you can purchase Hagia Sophia tours online. We recommend you book Hagia Sophia guided tours online because online ticket bookings ensure that your spot is reserved in advance. You may also chance upon great deals and combo offers when booking tours online.
If you book Hagia Sophia tours online, you can cancel them up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund on your purchase.
Hagia Sophia tours offer several combo ticket options. You can visit the Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and the Hagia Sophia and enjoy multi-lingual audio guides in these monuments at €33. You can also visit the Hagia Sophia and go for a 90-minute Bosphorus Cruise at €18.
Yes, an English-speaking tour guide will accompany you on your Hagia Sophia guided tour to share interesting stories about how the past Orthodox church came to be a mosque.
If you are short on time, book the historian-guided tour of Hagia Sophia. If you have a little more time, you can choose the combo Hagia Sophia guided tours that offer access to important monuments like Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern, and also include a 90-minute Bosphorus Cruise depending on your ticket options. If you want to explore Istanbul to the fullest, buy the Istanbul Welcome Card. Enjoy free public transportation and explore most of the famous monuments with this card.
Book Hagia Sophia guided tours to enjoy touring the impressive mosque with an English-speaking tour guide. You can also cancel these tickets if you have a change of plans and you will receive a full refund on your purchase.
It is better to book Hagia Sophia guided tours because a tour guide can offer you insights and interesting stories about the history, architecture, and cultural significance of the monument. The guide can also ensure that you follow the rules and regulations while visiting the mosque. You can also explore the lesser-known hidden corners and secret gems inside the Hagia Sophia with a tour guide.
Depending on whether you are purchasing historian-guided Hagia Sophia tours or combo Hagia Sophia tickets, they can range between €15 to €18 to €33.
The Hagia Sophia guided tour lasts for almost an hour. You can roam the monument for as long as you wish even after your historian-guided tour ends.
The Istanbul Welcome Card includes a Museum Pass that guarantees entry to almost all the important museums and monuments in Istanbul. You can also enjoy multi-lingual audio-guided tours to Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and Hagia Sophia. The card is valid for 7 days from the time of purchase. You can also enjoy free public transportation in Istanbul throughout the validity period.
The Hagia Sophia remains open to the public daily throughout the year. It is only closed to non-worshippers during prayer hours on Fridays.
The best way to reach the Hagia Sophia is to catch the 28, 32, BN1, or EMI to reach Sultanahmet Square. You can also catch either the Marmaray (Atakoy to Pendik) or Marmaray (Halkali to Gebze) train to reach Marmaray Square or Sultanahmet Square. The M2 metro and the T1 tram also reach Sultanahmet Square. The Hagia Sophia is a short walk from the Square.
Hagia Sophia is open daily. You can visit it any time of the year, however, please avoid visiting it during prayer calls and noon prayers on Fridays. June to August is the busiest time of the year, attracting tourists from all over the world. Arrive early in the morning to soak in the relatively quiet atmosphere at Hagia Sophia.
Once known as the Hagia Sophia Museum, the present-day Hagia Sophia is a mosque, so please wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Do not wear shorts or strappy tops. Headscarves are available at the entrance for free, and you must wrap them around your head before entering the sacred monument.
Yes, visitors with limited mobility can enter the Hagia Sophia. There are ramps at the west corner of the building at the intersection of Alemdar and Ayasofya Meydani.
A. While there are no locker rooms inside the Hagia Sophia, you can use the one at Sirkeci train station, 2 tram stops from Sultanahmet to store your belongings.
No, you must remove your shoes before entering the Hagia Sophia.
We advise you not to carry food inside the Hagia Sophia since it is a sacred prayer site. It would be disrespectful to drop crumbs or litter the inside.
Photography is allowed inside the Hagia Sophia, however, please refrain from clicking pictures of people who are praying. Flash photography is not allowed on the premises.
You can plan a day trip to Sultanahmet and visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and the Galata Tower. They are quite near each other.
Once a church and now a mosque, Hagia Sophia has witnessed numerous eras and dynasties. As a former church, the present-day mosque is an essential symbol of the coexistence of several religions. The Byzantine and Ottoman artworks and mosaics inside its walls are remnants of its glorious days. The building’s design is breathtaking with a massive central dome surrounded by towering ornate columns.