English
English
- Hagia Sophia
- Hagia Sophia Museum
- History
- Architecture
- Inside
- Hagia Sophia Church
- Hagia Sophia Mosque
- Hagia Sophia Photos
Hagia Sophia Tours & Tickets
Headout is a brand trusted by millions of guests worldwide offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.
- Bypass the ticketing queue with these skip-the-line tickets to Hagia Sophia (you must still go through the mandatory security line), designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an audio guide available in 23 languages.
- Travel back in time and hop on a spiritual experience at Hagia Sophia, while gaining valuable insights about the Islamic and Byzantine heritage of the monument.
- Explore the marvel that once held the title of the world's largest place of worship for over a millennium, and check out the mosaics and the imperial dome.
- Enter the 2nd-floor visitors' area with skip-the-line access and explore the upper gallery at your own pace and convenience.
- Learn about the fascinating history of the oldest and fastest-built cathedral, its architecture, and heritage from your audio guide.
- Bypass the ticketing queue with these skip-the-line tickets to Hagia Sophia (you must still go through the mandatory security line), designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an audio guide available in 23 languages.
- Travel back in time and hop on a spiritual experience at Hagia Sophia, while gaining valuable insights about the Islamic and Byzantine heritage of the monument.
- Explore the marvel that once held the title of the world's largest place of worship for over a millennium, and check out the mosaics and the imperial dome.
- Enter the 2nd-floor visitors' area with skip-the-line access and explore the upper gallery at your own pace and convenience.
- Learn about the fascinating history of the oldest and fastest-built cathedral, its architecture, and heritage from your audio guide.
Inclusions
- Skip the ticket line to Hagia Sophia
- Entry to Hagia Sophia visiting area
- Audio guide for both attractions (optional)
- 10% discount at Dsign Cafe
Exclusions
- Skip the security line
- Tip: The building's ground floor has the best Instagram potential. Photograph the stunning interiors and beautiful ceiling from here.
- You skip the ticket lines but you cannot skip the security check.
- The security check can take up to 60 minutes during peak seasons.
- The prayer area in the first floor can only be entered by Turkish citizens.
- Women are required to cover their knees, shoulders, and chest. Hair should be partially covered with a scarf.
- Men are required to cover their knees and shoulders.
- If you do not have a scarf or body cover, you can buy them at the entrance (A scarf is €2 and a body cover is €3).
- This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.
- Don't forget to carry your own headphones to listen to the audio guide.
- Due to the Friday prayer, the Mosque will be closed to tourists from 12pm to 2pm. For a smoother experience, it's recommend visiting after 4pm to avoid the lengthy security line anticipated between 2pm and 4pm.
- This ticket gives you access to the visiting area and upper gallery, not the prayer area downstairs
- During peak seasons, lines may form at security checkpoints. Your ticket does not grant priority access through the security check lines. In the high season, it might take up to 30 minutes to get in.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.2
3.3K ratings
1.9K
789
142
164
247
Guests from United States, United Kingdom, France and over 89 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Bernard
Jan 2025Verified booking
Yes. But, I do think the price we pay and the visit to the top floor only is too much. I enjoyed the visit and is a good history learning.
Riccardo
Jan 2025Verified booking
The site is truly outstanding. The downside lies in the fact that the ticket price is really high, especially since the visit is stumped by the ground floor
View original review in Italian
santosh
Jan 2025Verified booking
The guide who conducted the walking tour was excellent. Very knowledgeable and professional. The tour was organised very well too. Overall a fabulous experience.
giuseppina
Jan 2025Verified booking
In addition to the beauty of St. Sophia, it was a pleasure to access directly without doing the thing. The directions were clear and thorough. We had no internet m thanks to the wifi everything went well and we followed the audio guide
View original review in Italian
Maud
Jan 2025Verified booking
Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. We thought having a guided tour for Aya Sophia was definitely worth it. But it was quite expensive for a family of 5. Children or family discount would be welcome! (For this tour and most Istanbul attractions by the way)
Oberli
Jan 2025Verified booking
One disappointment, foreigners can only go to the first floor. I've been to a lot of places of worship, but this is one for the price. I wouldn't describe this mosque as magnificent, but it's got history, yes, but that's all.
View original review in French
Javier
Dec 2024Verified booking
Recommended!! It was very easy to find the tour guide and he knew how to explain about the history of the Mosques. They provided us with headphones to hear better what he was talking. Very patient and attentive. Also with no cues! Fantastic
Hippler,
Dec 2024Verified booking
Fantastic no waiting on hold. A supervisor was so friendly and helped me set up the video and audio with a lot of patience. An extra thank you again : ) !
View original review in German
Niels
Dec 2024Verified booking
We were blessed with a great guide named Mehmet who provided us with information on the sides and about culture and life in Istanbul. He further took care of everyones personal needs like extended pauses for food and drinks!
DANIELA
Nov 2024Verified booking
Everything was wonderful the views the history of the places, and the guide which he was speaking really good english .
Naike
Nov 2024Verified booking
Beautiful and very interesting tour, Ali very kind guide, made us spend 4 hours without ever getting bored and telling us many historical anecdotes of this fantastic city
View original review in Italian
Ralf
Nov 2024Verified booking
We were not advised to take headphones with us. So we could only turn our cell phones down and couldn't hear everything
View original review in German
Yordanka
Nov 2024Verified booking
I felt that the tour guide was not knowledgeable enough to explain the history and the facts around Haga Sophia. We stayed around 30minutes outside and he was just talking and most of us are English speakers and couldn't understand what he was saying. One couple asked him why you need to cover your head when you go in the mosque and the tour guide said "these are the rules" and moved on. Repeatedly kept saying "by the way" and "actually".
Chiara
Nov 2024Verified booking
The skip-tail ticket allowed us faster access to Hagia Sophia or given the tight schedule we would have had to postpone. The 'audio guide not very exhaustive and not very fluent (the division between Ottoman and Byzantine route makes the visit not very easy). Also the non-specific identification of landmarks in the ground floor room or tour floor. The visit thus limited to the first floor makes the 'experience incomplete. The mosque, however, is splendid.
View original review in Italian
Jeremy
Nov 2024Verified booking
Still had to queue despite 'skip the queue' tickets. This description is misleading. If there are instructions on the tickets as to how to get the free audio guide they are pretty well hidden.
Carlos
Nov 2024Verified booking
It was fast and evidently the place is amazing. I had been before, but never at the top. I was able to see up close and learn about the hidden Christian, Byzantine paintings. It really is amazing to be able to appreciate something so old with so much history.
View original review in Spanish
ENRIQUE
Nov 2024Verified booking
The place is magnificent but you can only access the upper galleries if you are not Muslim. This is something that should have been warned before the visit.
View original review in Spanish
Niall
Nov 2024Verified booking
The history of the area. Seeing all the attractions. Tour guide was very engaging and knowledgeable. Being guided throughout and skipping the queues.
Ioan
Nov 2024Verified booking
Great introduction to the city history and culture! Seeing this amazing constructions,having Arda as a passionate and so knowledgeable guide helped us made this trip the highlight of the year!
Alfredo
Nov 2024Verified booking
Banana short , with pa famivlua and friends, to visit assortment Istanbul, monuments and as it's Molo beautiful. We are contention Of the trip
View original review in Italian
Silvana
Oct 2024Verified booking
We were able to go straight through without wasting time. The long line is for security checks but it goes fast. I recommend it
View original review in Spanish
Karlijn
Oct 2024Verified booking
It is a must see, 20 yr ago you bog stand down in the dome, unfortunately could not anymore. But the idea that this is already so old, incredible!
View original review in Dutch
Jennifer
Oct 2024Verified booking
Tour was fantastic with Busa - she was really informative and had a lovely sense of humour. Everything ran on time and the time at each place was perfect.
SALLIM
Oct 2024Verified booking
It was a mosque and previously was a church. Certainly memorable to see the magnificent strucrture and the decorations and the historical depections of Christianity maintained at certain parts of the mosque thus respecting history.
Han
Oct 2024Verified booking
The history of this place of worship is immensely interesting. Byzantine church, mosque, museum and again mosque. Pity is what has been lost from Byzantine times.
View original review in Dutch
Combos
Combo (Save 13%): Basilica Cistern + Hagia Sophia Skip-the-Line Tickets
from €69.50
€60.80
13% off
- Avail of a great cost benefit with this combo, giving you skip-the-line access to two of Istanbul’s iconic sites: the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia.
- Marvel at the impressive Byzantine architecture of the Basilica Cistern, a 6th-century subterranean marvel with 336 massive columns.
- Soak in the Basilica Cistern experience with an optional multilingual audio guide providing intriguing insights into the history of this unique site.
- Step into the world-famous Hagia Sophia, once the largest place of worship for over a millennium with skip-the-line tickets and an audio guide.
- Enjoy the liberty to explore the magnificent mosaics and paintings at your own pace at the Hagia Sophia’s 2nd-floor Visitors' Center.
- Avail of a great cost benefit with this combo, giving you skip-the-line access to two of Istanbul’s iconic sites: the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia.
- Marvel at the impressive Byzantine architecture of the Basilica Cistern, a 6th-century subterranean marvel with 336 massive columns.
- Soak in the Basilica Cistern experience with an optional multilingual audio guide providing intriguing insights into the history of this unique site.
- Step into the world-famous Hagia Sophia, once the largest place of worship for over a millennium with skip-the-line tickets and an audio guide.
- Enjoy the liberty to explore the magnificent mosaics and paintings at your own pace at the Hagia Sophia’s 2nd-floor Visitors' Center.
Inclusions
Basilica Cistern
- Skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern
- Multilingual audio guide
Hagia Sophia
- Skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia
- Entry to Hagia Sophia visiting area
- Audio guide in 23 languages
Basilica Cistern
- Tip: Keep an eye out for the ghostly outlines of carp swimming in the water, they make for a great photo backdrop.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
Hagia Sophia
- Tip: Look for the 'weeping column,' it's believed to have healing powers.
- This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.
- You skip the ticket lines but you cannot skip the security check.
- The security check can take up to 60 minutes during peak seasons.
- Women should not wear knee-length shorts, skirts, or clothing with exposed shoulders or chests. Hair should be partially covered with a scarf.
- Men should not wear knee-length shorts or clothing with exposed shoulders.
- Clothes and scarves are available for purchase at the entrance of the attraction.
- Due to the Friday prayer, the Mosque will be closed to tourists from 12pm to 2pm. For a smoother experience, it's recommend visiting after 4pm to avoid the lengthy security line anticipated between 2pm and 4pm.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.0
1.1K ratings
496
323
63
82
90
Guests from United States, Spain, Italy and over 89 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Ranto
Jan 2025Verified booking
The Basilica Cistern is magnificent and rich in history, a moment out of time. Very efficient queue-cutting tickets booked the day before for the next day, which saves an incredible amount of time when you're staying in my city for only a short time.
View original review in French
Deborah
Jan 2025Verified booking
Very easy to book tickets online. I like that I received a discount as I had booked a previous attraction (in Seville) with Headout. The only reason I have not given 5 stars is that the Cistern was very overcrowded; there should be better controls on number of visitors entering ... the access point is narrow.
Mayomi
Dec 2024Verified booking
'Skip the line" was great for Basilica Cistern and I was so thankful that I'd bought in advance on a rainy day. The audio guide is easy to access and has great information on each of the places.
KONSTANTIS
Dec 2024Verified booking
Among the small letters instructions i reeived with the ticket, i missed the point that needed to collect physical papeelr ticket, so i face some delay at entrance. Somehow this important info shall be highlighted in instructions and not being among other T&C and instructions. Especially since booking from head out, for Aya Sophia, or vasilica Kistern was not same procedure, online ticjet was enough to pass smoothless.
DEVENDRAN
Dec 2024Verified booking
It's covered 3 places with discounted rate.. & I really love It, only one small issue.. There is no line inside basilica cistern and I couldn't play the audio guide completely..
MARÍA
Dec 2024Verified booking
A fabulous place, one of my favorites in Istanbul, it is the second time I visit it and I still find it spectacular. I went in without waiting or queuing
View original review in Spanish
Kathrine
Dec 2024Verified booking
Speed of entry. Less than a minute! We were there when it opened. Apart from this purely practical aspect, the place is magnificent!
View original review in French
Cherese
Nov 2024Verified booking
It is really worth it. I highly suggest getting your tickets online to skip the long wait at Hagia Sophia and the Basilica cistern. Beautiful Mosque and nice structure at the cistern.
Joëlle
Nov 2024Verified booking
The tickets were very good. The museum staff was very competent. The audio guide didn't work or didn't work well, especially in Hagia Sophia. Very nice visits and having the queue-cutting tickets is great.
View original review in French
Rachel
Nov 2024Verified booking
Both the Hagia Sofia and Basilica Cisterne were well worth a visit. The queues for both were huge even early on a Sunday so I have no idea why people didn't get these! You can just walk on past all those people trying to buy the ticket in person and get in and enjoy the places. I would go early as it is so busy.
Richard
Nov 2024Verified booking
Enjoyed both places and they're both close together. Definitely liked not waiting in line as they ticket line was very long.
Holly
Nov 2024Verified booking
The cistern alone is astounding and well worth the price of admission. The walkways that have been engineered so people can wander through the entire cistern are impressive. The skip the line ticket process is simple and worth the small extra cost. The audio guide was easy to use and interesting without being overly informative. One thing that I did not enjoy was the pop art style modern sculptures and colorful lighting. I would have preferred simple white or gold lighting. Nevertheless the cistern is a must see and is one of the most interesting places I've ever visited.
Nancy
Nov 2024Verified booking
We were very disappointed and felt discriminated against that we were separated from the Muslims and only allowed upstairs in the Hagia but not downstairs even after prayer times, in my opinion not worth the money! Sultan ahmet opposite is free.
View original review in German
Montluet
Nov 2024Verified booking
Must-see tours Audioguide on the cell phone, great, it allows us to cut ourselves off from the ambient noise and immerse ourselves totally in the visit to the site.
View original review in French
Marcelle
Nov 2024Verified booking
Very picturesque site. Difficult to access my ticket without WIFI. Finally, I was able to listen to the audio guide after the tour.
View original review in French
Maruša
Nov 2024Verified booking
.All the sights are very nice and the skip the line went smoothly. The only thing that is a minus in my opinion is the price. We are a 4 member familly and the price was very expensive.
Lyndel
Nov 2024Verified booking
Once I worked out the Headout site I was able to download the audios for the 3 sites I was visiting, though the instructions could have been easier to use. I did find the audio did not correspond with the layout of the Palace and the photos on the audio also did not correspond so I gave up listening. It would be helpful if the Headout audio corresponded with the same numbers that the Palace site uses.
PEDRO
Nov 2024Verified booking
I don't think it's worth the trouble to visit with an audio guide. The only good thing is that you don't have to wait in line. But I think it is more interesting to look for another option that guarantees a personal guide in Spanish.
View original review in Spanish
Barbara
Nov 2024Verified booking
The fast-track entry worked well, the explanations in the audio guide were easy to understand and not too long, so that you had enough information but were not overloaded.
View original review in German
Teresita
Nov 2024Verified booking
It was easy to buy and very good attention when we got there, they also explained it to us clearly by listening to the audio. All good, thank you very much Teresita from Chile
View original review in Spanish
Sandra
Nov 2024Verified booking
Highly recommended! We did not queue and having an audio guide in our language made it easier to understand the tour. Safe and fast online purchase. Affordable price
View original review in Spanish
Lorenza
Oct 2024Verified booking
Complicated - it would be easier to be able to have access with the ticket in app, without having to collect it prime and queue.
View original review in Italian
ELVIR
Oct 2024Verified booking
A very stable way to buy a ticket. I would like to give you a more detailed insight into the history of the hundred years of better life of this unique material.
This review is translated. Show original review.
Paola
Oct 2024Verified booking
Very welcome a visit to the Topkape palace that would have deserved extra time. In the afternoon we had planned to visit the Cisterna Basilica and thought we would not arrive in time. Beautiful Cisterna Basilica, but I got the impression that access hours were well after 6:30 pm. I always noticed long lines even after this time A little disappointed with Hagia Sophia. Beautiful building on the outside, less so on the inside
View original review in Italian
Veronica
Oct 2024Verified booking
Flexibility for example: we could not use the tickets for the selected date and they were accepted for the following day! We also skipped very long lines and paid less than the ticket prices sold locally! Excellent service
View original review in Italian
Combos
Istanbul Super Combo: Topkapi Palace + Hagia Sophia + Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Tickets with Audio Guide
from €129.40
€117.70
9% off
- This combo lets you skip the lines for Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern all in one go! Perfect for time-conscious travelers and history buffs.
- Explore the Sultan's lavish chambers at the Topkapi Palace, including the Harem, and marvel at the Imperial Treasury's jewels like the Topkapi Dagger.
- Witness the architectural marvel of Hagia Sophia and decipher the cryptic Viking runes etched by ancient visitors, alongside Islamic and Christian art.
- At Basilica Cistern, spot the column that is shaped like the feathers of a peacock, constructed in memory of the slaves who died building it.
- With multilingual audio guides, unlock the secrets of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia's hidden murals, and the Basilica Cistern's haunting Medusa.
- This combo lets you skip the lines for Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Basilica Cistern all in one go! Perfect for time-conscious travelers and history buffs.
- Explore the Sultan's lavish chambers at the Topkapi Palace, including the Harem, and marvel at the Imperial Treasury's jewels like the Topkapi Dagger.
- Witness the architectural marvel of Hagia Sophia and decipher the cryptic Viking runes etched by ancient visitors, alongside Islamic and Christian art.
- At Basilica Cistern, spot the column that is shaped like the feathers of a peacock, constructed in memory of the slaves who died building it.
- With multilingual audio guides, unlock the secrets of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia's hidden murals, and the Basilica Cistern's haunting Medusa.
Inclusions
Topkapi Palace
- Skip-the-ticket-line entry to Topkapi Palace
- Access to Harem Museum and Hagia Irene Museum
- Audio guide in English, Arabic, French, German, and Spanish
Hagia Sophia
- Skip-the-ticket-line entry to Hagia Sophia
- Audio guide in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish
Basilica Cistern
- Skip-the-ticket-line entry to Basilica Cistern
- Audio guide in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish
Topkapi Palace
- Tip: In the first courtyard, don't miss Hagia Irene, the oldest church in Istanbul and one of the oldest unreconstructed buildings in the world.
- This experience is wheelchair accessible.
Hagia Sophia
- Tip: Don't miss the Deesis mosaic, a recently uncovered Byzantine treasure depicting Virgin Mary, Jesus, and John the Baptist in a scene of intercession.
- This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.
- The prayer area on the first floor can only be entered by Turkish citizens.
Basilica Cistern
- Tip: Look out for exhibitions which combine modern art installations with the cistern's ancient architecture, showcasing Istanbul's evolving character.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.0
3.0K ratings
1.6K
575
263
261
285
Guests from United States, Spain, Italy and over 96 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Ranto
Jan 2025Verified booking
The Basilica Cistern is magnificent and rich in history, a moment out of time. Very efficient queue-cutting tickets booked the day before for the next day, which saves an incredible amount of time when you're staying in my city for only a short time.
View original review in French
Deborah
Jan 2025Verified booking
Very easy to book tickets online. I like that I received a discount as I had booked a previous attraction (in Seville) with Headout. The only reason I have not given 5 stars is that the Cistern was very overcrowded; there should be better controls on number of visitors entering ... the access point is narrow.
Mayomi
Dec 2024Verified booking
'Skip the line" was great for Basilica Cistern and I was so thankful that I'd bought in advance on a rainy day. The audio guide is easy to access and has great information on each of the places.
KONSTANTIS
Dec 2024Verified booking
Among the small letters instructions i reeived with the ticket, i missed the point that needed to collect physical papeelr ticket, so i face some delay at entrance. Somehow this important info shall be highlighted in instructions and not being among other T&C and instructions. Especially since booking from head out, for Aya Sophia, or vasilica Kistern was not same procedure, online ticjet was enough to pass smoothless.
DEVENDRAN
Dec 2024Verified booking
It's covered 3 places with discounted rate.. & I really love It, only one small issue.. There is no line inside basilica cistern and I couldn't play the audio guide completely..
MARÍA
Dec 2024Verified booking
A fabulous place, one of my favorites in Istanbul, it is the second time I visit it and I still find it spectacular. I went in without waiting or queuing
View original review in Spanish
Kathrine
Dec 2024Verified booking
Speed of entry. Less than a minute! We were there when it opened. Apart from this purely practical aspect, the place is magnificent!
View original review in French
Maria
Dec 2024Verified booking
Topkapi is a place worth visiting all day because it is huge and has different rooms and exhibitions to see in its 4 gardens. I liked to know the harem and not only the visit that the tour offered me.
View original review in Spanish
Cherese
Nov 2024Verified booking
It is really worth it. I highly suggest getting your tickets online to skip the long wait at Hagia Sophia and the Basilica cistern. Beautiful Mosque and nice structure at the cistern.
Joëlle
Nov 2024Verified booking
The tickets were very good. The museum staff was very competent. The audio guide didn't work or didn't work well, especially in Hagia Sophia. Very nice visits and having the queue-cutting tickets is great.
View original review in French
Rachel
Nov 2024Verified booking
Both the Hagia Sofia and Basilica Cisterne were well worth a visit. The queues for both were huge even early on a Sunday so I have no idea why people didn't get these! You can just walk on past all those people trying to buy the ticket in person and get in and enjoy the places. I would go early as it is so busy.
Richard
Nov 2024Verified booking
Enjoyed both places and they're both close together. Definitely liked not waiting in line as they ticket line was very long.
Roberto
Nov 2024Verified booking
With the "skip the line" ticket, we were forced to wait more than half an hour for the person in charge, while at the ticket office there was no line at all. In essence, instead of "skipping" the line we waited for a long time.
View original review in Italian
Alejandra
Nov 2024Verified booking
The Harem is beautiful, it takes you back to that time. The kitchen is impressive, the utensils and pots are preserved. The clothing room shows the elegance with which they dressed. The gardens are very beautiful, the whole palace is amazing. It is the best museum in Istanbul.
View original review in Spanish
Dominique
Nov 2024Verified booking
The audio guide didn't download until 4 hours into the visit... so a bit late.... The download icon moves, but no download would take place. It should be made clearer that you have to download in advance. It should also be made clearer that there are no tickets (no souvenir trace), it's the guide who lets you in, so don't miss the meeting point. For people who don't understand English well, a brochure would be welcome to explain what the guide is saying as he accompanies us. It would be more effective if the numbers on the audio guide map corresponded with the numbers on the physical information terminals on the site.
View original review in French
Holly
Nov 2024Verified booking
The cistern alone is astounding and well worth the price of admission. The walkways that have been engineered so people can wander through the entire cistern are impressive. The skip the line ticket process is simple and worth the small extra cost. The audio guide was easy to use and interesting without being overly informative. One thing that I did not enjoy was the pop art style modern sculptures and colorful lighting. I would have preferred simple white or gold lighting. Nevertheless the cistern is a must see and is one of the most interesting places I've ever visited.
Nancy
Nov 2024Verified booking
We were very disappointed and felt discriminated against that we were separated from the Muslims and only allowed upstairs in the Hagia but not downstairs even after prayer times, in my opinion not worth the money! Sultan ahmet opposite is free.
View original review in German
Montluet
Nov 2024Verified booking
Must-see tours Audioguide on the cell phone, great, it allows us to cut ourselves off from the ambient noise and immerse ourselves totally in the visit to the site.
View original review in French
Marcelle
Nov 2024Verified booking
Very picturesque site. Difficult to access my ticket without WIFI. Finally, I was able to listen to the audio guide after the tour.
View original review in French
Maruša
Nov 2024Verified booking
.All the sights are very nice and the skip the line went smoothly. The only thing that is a minus in my opinion is the price. We are a 4 member familly and the price was very expensive.
Lyndel
Nov 2024Verified booking
Once I worked out the Headout site I was able to download the audios for the 3 sites I was visiting, though the instructions could have been easier to use. I did find the audio did not correspond with the layout of the Palace and the photos on the audio also did not correspond so I gave up listening. It would be helpful if the Headout audio corresponded with the same numbers that the Palace site uses.
PEDRO
Nov 2024Verified booking
I don't think it's worth the trouble to visit with an audio guide. The only good thing is that you don't have to wait in line. But I think it is more interesting to look for another option that guarantees a personal guide in Spanish.
View original review in Spanish
Favio
Nov 2024Verified booking
The place and the planning of the visit is fine, but nothing is explained about the audio guide which was not possible to download or listen to, so much information is lost in relation to the visit.
View original review in Spanish
Barbara
Nov 2024Verified booking
The fast-track entry worked well, the explanations in the audio guide were easy to understand and not too long, so that you had enough information but were not overloaded.
View original review in German
Teresita
Nov 2024Verified booking
It was easy to buy and very good attention when we got there, they also explained it to us clearly by listening to the audio. All good, thank you very much Teresita from Chile
View original review in Spanish
Guided Tours
Combo: Basilica Cistern + Blue Mosque + Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets
- Enjoy a guided tour of 3 of Istanbul’s iconic attractions with this one combo ticket that you can use in 1 day or over a span of 2 days.
- Skip the lines and enter the 4th-century Basilica Cistern, an underground reservoir from the Byzantine times, with an expert English-speaking guide.
- Admire the artwork here with raised wooden platforms and aesthetic vaulted ceilings as you to the mystery of Medusa heads from Greek mythology.
- Soak up the architectural charm and beauty of the Blue Mosque as you admire the hand-painted blue tiles that adorn the mosque’s interior walls.
- See the 5 main domes, 6 minarets, and 8 secondary domes and learn about Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, Islam and Istanbul’s rich heritage from your guide.
- Enter Hagia Sophia with skip-the-line access, an important monument both for the Byzantine and the Ottoman Empires and admire its architectural beauty.
- Enjoy a guided tour of 3 of Istanbul’s iconic attractions with this one combo ticket that you can use in 1 day or over a span of 2 days.
- Skip the lines and enter the 4th-century Basilica Cistern, an underground reservoir from the Byzantine times, with an expert English-speaking guide.
- Admire the artwork here with raised wooden platforms and aesthetic vaulted ceilings as you to the mystery of Medusa heads from Greek mythology.
- Soak up the architectural charm and beauty of the Blue Mosque as you admire the hand-painted blue tiles that adorn the mosque’s interior walls.
- See the 5 main domes, 6 minarets, and 8 secondary domes and learn about Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, Islam and Istanbul’s rich heritage from your guide.
- Enter Hagia Sophia with skip-the-line access, an important monument both for the Byzantine and the Ottoman Empires and admire its architectural beauty.
Inclusions
Basilica Cistern
- 30-min guided tour of the Basilica Cistern
- Skip-the-line ticket to Basilica Cistern
- Expert English-speaking guide
Blue Mosque
- 60-min guided tour of the Blue Mosque
- Entry to the Blue Mosque
- English-speaking guide
Hagia Sophia
- 60-min guided tour of Hagia Sophia
- Skip-the-line tickets to Hagia Sophia
- English-speaking tour guide
- Audio guide inside Hagia Sophia
Basilica Cistern
- Tip: The underground cistern is dark and damp, which can lead to a drop in temperature. It’s best to carry a light cardigan to keep yourself warm.
Blue Mosque
- Tip: Look out for decorations and items inside the mosque inscribed with the names of the caliphs and verses from the Quran.
- This tour is not available on Tuesdays.
- Please note that the security line can take up to 60 minutes in the high season.
- If you do not have a scarf or body cover, you can buy them at the entrance (a scarf is 1€ and a body cover is 3€).
Hagia Sophia
- Tip: Don’t forget to make a wish at one of Hagia Sophia’s columns, known as the ‘wishing column.’ Legend has it that if you poke your finger through a hole in the column and your finger emerges wet, your wishes will come true and you’ll be cured of any illness. No harm in trying!
- This tour is not available on Tuesdays.
- Please expect a considerable wait time as you enter the attraction, especially during holidays and weekends.
- Security checks at Hagia Sophia take approximately 30 minutes.
- Since it is a religious place, guests are requested to wear clothes that cover their arms and head.
- While photography is allowed, all visitors are requested to refrain from turning on flash and using bulky accessories like tripods.
- Hagia Sophia may be closed during prayer times as it is a place of religious worship.
- These tickets are valid for 2 days from the date of experience.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- These tickets are valid for 2 days from the date of purchase.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.1
322 ratings
167
86
25
13
31
Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Australia and over 50 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
santosh
Jan 2025Verified booking
The guide who conducted the walking tour was excellent. Very knowledgeable and professional. The tour was organised very well too. Overall a fabulous experience.
Javier
Dec 2024Verified booking
Recommended!! It was very easy to find the tour guide and he knew how to explain about the history of the Mosques. They provided us with headphones to hear better what he was talking. Very patient and attentive. Also with no cues! Fantastic
Niels
Dec 2024Verified booking
We were blessed with a great guide named Mehmet who provided us with information on the sides and about culture and life in Istanbul. He further took care of everyones personal needs like extended pauses for food and drinks!
DANIELA
Nov 2024Verified booking
Everything was wonderful the views the history of the places, and the guide which he was speaking really good english .
Naike
Nov 2024Verified booking
Beautiful and very interesting tour, Ali very kind guide, made us spend 4 hours without ever getting bored and telling us many historical anecdotes of this fantastic city
View original review in Italian
Niall
Nov 2024Verified booking
The history of the area. Seeing all the attractions. Tour guide was very engaging and knowledgeable. Being guided throughout and skipping the queues.
Ioan
Nov 2024Verified booking
Great introduction to the city history and culture! Seeing this amazing constructions,having Arda as a passionate and so knowledgeable guide helped us made this trip the highlight of the year!
Jennifer
Oct 2024Verified booking
Tour was fantastic with Busa - she was really informative and had a lovely sense of humour. Everything ran on time and the time at each place was perfect.
Valentina
Oct 2024Verified booking
Our guide Buse was really nice and knowledgable We skipped all the lines and got to know interesting facts about Istanbul history Good price for what you get
Tina
Oct 2024Verified booking
Our guide was so knowledgeable about each of the places we went, and he was very patient with our questions and keeping us all together.
Neil
Oct 2024Verified booking
Ticketing straight forward and we think Arder was knowledgeable and had a good sense of humour. He was a pleasure to be with.
Ilaria
Oct 2024Verified booking
Very well organised. Good that we managed to see 3 of the most important places in Istanbul with the same guide and within 3/4 hours.
Rainer
Oct 2024Verified booking
A great and interesting tour which provides you with a fascinating look inside a beautiful, iconic mosque. The tour guide provides lots of background information which makes the tour even more interesting. Highly recommended!
Michał
Oct 2024Verified booking
Besides visiting incredible places like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Basilica Cistern, a real highlight was our guide, Arda. His knowledge, dedication, and sense of humor were outstanding. I highly recommend both Headout and Arda, an excellent combination!
Akanksha
Oct 2024Verified booking
Arda was absolutely fantastic! He not only explained everything in great detail but also made sure the entire group felt well taken care of throughout the tour. His knowledge of each place we visited was impressive, and he effortlessly combined that with a delightful sense of humor that kept us all entertained. It was a wonderful experience from start to finish, and I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an engaging and informative journey of Istanbul!
Jenni
Oct 2024Verified booking
guide was dynmanic, tour interesting & covering all 3 in 4 hours was very time effeicent with a short stay. We travelled with 4 children- one 14 yrs and this held his interest salso which is not easy
Melissa
Sep 2024Verified booking
Arda was an amazing tour guide! Very patient and incredibly knowledgeable. I just wish I had a list of all the books he mentioned. I would recommend this tour to anyone. It's very worth it to skip lines and get more historical context out of your trip.
Ross
Sep 2024Verified booking
Our guide Arda was awesome, knowledgeable, organised, and funny. Skip the queue aspect made the tour even more pleasurable.
Franz
Sep 2024Verified booking
Everything was very punctual. The skip lines worked wonderfully and were also very necessary due to the large crowds of tourists. Guide very competent and experienced
View original review in German
Godfrey
Sep 2024Verified booking
guide was very polite, competent, good spoken english. mexican members of the group only spoke spanish therefore everthing had to be translated
Meganrose
Aug 2024Verified booking
Great to be part of a guided tour and be able to skip the queues. While our tour guide was very nice and clearly knowledgeable about the subject matter, he was difficult to understand at times and spent far too long talking. There were periods where we were standing in the hot sun (on the street outside the Hagia Sofia) or sitting on the floor (inside the Blue Mosque) for 30-40+ minutes - this was very uncomfortable and meant we had less time to enjoy the sites at our leisure. There was also a break for lunch not outlined in the ticket which meant the overall tour took hours longer than anticipated.
Marta
Aug 2024Verified booking
Skip the line tickets were the best thing we could do, it saved us hours of waiting in long queues under the sun. The group was quite small which make it easy to hear our guide. Our guide was great, he spoke very good English and explained everything in a very interesting way. I really liked that he also told us about Turkish history, culture, current situation in the country etc., I found it very interesting. Hagia Sofia was amazing and breathtaking. Basilica cistern was a big surprise, it's a beautiful place worth visiting. The time given in each place was enough for exploration and pictures. The tour overall took 4 hours. I highly recommend this tour when in Istanbul.
Maruen
Aug 2024Verified booking
Arda, our guide, was awesome even tho it was sometimes hard to hear every word he said (to be fair every place we saw was quite crowded). Also the skip the line feature is super useful! There is enough time to take pics and buy water or food during the tour
Elaguppillai
Aug 2024Verified booking
The information passed on by the tour guide can be found on Google. We were expecting something more. Time spent at Basilica Cistern was not enough and didn't have time to take pictures. There was an accident and our group member helped the lady. The guide didn't wait for the doctor to join us nor didn't help him on informing the people concerned at Blue Mosque. There was another lady missing after the Basilica Costern. He didn't do due diligence. I think we spent more time on the first one, second one just hurried through it and last one was an introduction only.
Maria-Jeanette
Aug 2024Verified booking
The tour are flexible in that you can join when you want at different times. We did the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia on one day and the Basilica Cistern the next day. Made it less rushed. Guide was very knowledgeble.
- With the Istanbul MegaPass, access 2 to 9 attractions in 7 days with Classic, Premium, or Deluxe passes, saving up to 34% on individual ticket costs.
- Head to 2 attractions like the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Turkish Hammam, Dolmabahce Palace, and more with the Classic pass.
- What's more? Every pass comes with a free Bosphorus cruise, Blue Mosque tour, transportation card, route maps, and audio guides for all attractions.
- Emails with all tickets to the selected attraction will be delivered straight to your inbox so you can rest assured and plan your adventure.
- Choose the Premium or the all-inclusive Deluxe pass to visit 4 or 9 attractions. More exploration at a great deal!
- With the Istanbul MegaPass, access 2 to 9 attractions in 7 days with Classic, Premium, or Deluxe passes, saving up to 34% on individual ticket costs.
- Head to 2 attractions like the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Turkish Hammam, Dolmabahce Palace, and more with the Classic pass.
- What's more? Every pass comes with a free Bosphorus cruise, Blue Mosque tour, transportation card, route maps, and audio guides for all attractions.
- Emails with all tickets to the selected attraction will be delivered straight to your inbox so you can rest assured and plan your adventure.
- Choose the Premium or the all-inclusive Deluxe pass to visit 4 or 9 attractions. More exploration at a great deal!
Inclusions
- Choice of 2/4/9 of Istanbul's top attractions
- Attractions: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahce Palace
- Cruises: Bosphorus cruise, Dinner cruise on Bosphorus with Turkish drinks and food
- Tours: Asian side walking tour, Blue Mosque tour,
- Access to hop on hop off bus tour
- Activities: Dervish Ceremony, Turkish bath & Hamam
- 5-ride transportation card
- Digital guide book
- City, tram & metro map
- Get the list of included attractions here.
- No reservation is needed for any activity except the Bosphorus Dinner cruise.
- Each pass is valid for 7 consecutive days including the first day of use.
- You can visit multiple attractions in a day but you can only visit each attraction once with this pass.
- You do have skip-the-line access but you will still need to go through security.
- You'll receive tickets for all attractions you have selected in an email, and you'll receive tickets for all attractions if you've chosen the Deluxe pass.
- You can show the PDF digitally on your phone, or get a physical pass printed if you like.
- You can change the chosen attractions as many times as you want, or you can cancel the pass free of charge up to 1 day before the service date.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.2
56 ratings
33
13
3
3
4
Guests from France, United States, Spain and over 23 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Raquel
Jan 2025Verified booking
The experience of taking the ticket and pass without queues is excellent, they accompany you to the entrance of topkapi, we were 3 friends and we took the premium megapass. The transport card is very good, it includes 5 trips and then you can recharge them in the machines of any transport. The audio guides are good. The only but, the guided tour of the Blue Mosque is not worth much, it is in English and they do not explain much.
View original review in Spanish
KARMANN
Nov 2024Verified booking
The fike-cutters are very practical for St Sophia and the Cistern Basilica, but not very efficient for Topkapi. The cruise is very pleasant and the sightseeing buses always interesting for a first visit to the city.
View original review in French
muller
Dec 2024Verified booking
Good, do it after 16:00, less waiting.
View original review in French
diana
Dec 2024Verified booking
All perfect Great pass to skip the line
View original review in Italian
Clemencia
Nov 2024Verified booking
Instructions were clear and easy to follow. Very convenient. The customer service is superb and very helpful!
Ashley
Oct 2024Verified booking
Loved how you could choose which attractions to visit and loved how you could visit on your own schedule!!