Hagia Sophia guided tours | A walk through Istanbul's crown jewel

The central dome of Hagia Sophia was constructed around 537 AD and has since been built and rebuilt over the centuries to keep up with the city’s different reigning dynasties. The dome stands 55 meters above the ground. The intricate designs, rich decorations, and series of smaller columns inside the dome reflect the impressive architecture of the Byzantine era.

The Imperial Door of the Hagia Sophia Mosque offers stunning views of the interiors of the monument. The Imperial Door leads to a small chamber that was used by the monarchs to prepare for their processions. The room is decorated with intricate mosaics and carvings, that reflect the decadence of the Byzantine empire.

The Sultan’s Lodge is located in the upper gallery on the western side of the building and was built during the 19th century. The lodge has been used by the Sultan and his entourage during his visits to the Hagia Sophia. The luxurious furnishings and decadent decorations showcase the rich taste of the Ottomans. You have to climb up the stairs to explore this room.

The domes and walls of the Hagia Sophia are covered with beautiful calligraphy. When the Hagia Sophia Church was converted to the Hagia Sophia Mosque in the 15th century, these ornamentations were added. The verses feature words from the Quran, the names of Prophet Muhammad, and the first four Caliphs, naskh and muhaqqaq, and they are enhanced with floral patterns.

• Expertise: An experienced tour guide will take you through all the major highlights of an attraction and acquaint you with the history and cultural significance of those places. 
  
• Convenience: You do not have to worry about cultural barriers or language problems, for your tour guide will take care of the transportation, tickets, and access to general areas. 
  
• Time Management: A guided tour can help you make the most of your limited time at an attraction by providing a structured itinerary and ensuring that you do not miss any important highlights. 
  
• Safety: It is best for solo travelers to book guided tours for you have fewer chances of getting lost or being misled in a tour group. You can also get advance warnings in case of steep stairs, uneven terrain, or restricted spots. 
  
• Socialization: You can meet like-minded people, who also love traveling to the same kinds of places in these guided tours. Sharing your experience with others can also make for an enjoyable experience.

• Flexibility: Without a guided tour, you can plan your own itinerary and cover all the highlights of your attraction. You can go at your own pace and spend more or less time on areas that interest you.
  
• Independence: Exploring an attraction without a tour guide can feel rewarding as you will be responsible for researching and finding out more about the site. 
  
• Cost-Effective: Guided tours are comparatively more expensive but well worth their money. You may save a few extra cents not booking guided tours, but you have to research and cover all the major attractions by yourself. 
  
• Limited Social Interaction: Guided tours give you the opportunity to meet like-minded travelers, however, it may be too overwhelming for some folks, who prefer to spend time at attractions by themselves. If you go without tour guides, you may have limited social interaction. 
  
• May Miss Attractions: You will have to research and find out about the history, cultural context, and stories behind an attraction by yourself, if you visit an attraction without a tour guide. Make sure you do your research well so as not to miss major attractions.

The central dome of Hagia Sophia was constructed around 537 AD and has since been built and rebuilt over the centuries to keep up with the city’s different reigning dynasties. The dome stands 55 meters above the ground. The intricate designs, rich decorations, and series of smaller columns inside the dome reflect the impressive architecture of the Byzantine era.

The Imperial Door of the Hagia Sophia Mosque offers stunning views of the interiors of the monument. The Imperial Door leads to a small chamber that was used by the monarchs to prepare for their processions. The room is decorated with intricate mosaics and carvings, that reflect the decadence of the Byzantine empire.

The Sultan’s Lodge is located in the upper gallery on the western side of the building and was built during the 19th century. The lodge has been used by the Sultan and his entourage during his visits to the Hagia Sophia. The luxurious furnishings and decadent decorations showcase the rich taste of the Ottomans. You have to climb up the stairs to explore this room.

The domes and walls of the Hagia Sophia are covered with beautiful calligraphy. When the Hagia Sophia Church was converted to the Hagia Sophia Mosque in the 15th century, these ornamentations were added. The verses feature words from the Quran, the names of Prophet Muhammad, and the first four Caliphs, naskh and muhaqqaq, and they are enhanced with floral patterns.

• Expertise: An experienced tour guide will take you through all the major highlights of an attraction and acquaint you with the history and cultural significance of those places. 
  
• Convenience: You do not have to worry about cultural barriers or language problems, for your tour guide will take care of the transportation, tickets, and access to general areas. 
  
• Time Management: A guided tour can help you make the most of your limited time at an attraction by providing a structured itinerary and ensuring that you do not miss any important highlights. 
  
• Safety: It is best for solo travelers to book guided tours for you have fewer chances of getting lost or being misled in a tour group. You can also get advance warnings in case of steep stairs, uneven terrain, or restricted spots. 
  
• Socialization: You can meet like-minded people, who also love traveling to the same kinds of places in these guided tours. Sharing your experience with others can also make for an enjoyable experience.

• Flexibility: Without a guided tour, you can plan your own itinerary and cover all the highlights of your attraction. You can go at your own pace and spend more or less time on areas that interest you.
  
• Independence: Exploring an attraction without a tour guide can feel rewarding as you will be responsible for researching and finding out more about the site. 
  
• Cost-Effective: Guided tours are comparatively more expensive but well worth their money. You may save a few extra cents not booking guided tours, but you have to research and cover all the major attractions by yourself. 
  
• Limited Social Interaction: Guided tours give you the opportunity to meet like-minded travelers, however, it may be too overwhelming for some folks, who prefer to spend time at attractions by themselves. If you go without tour guides, you may have limited social interaction. 
  
• May Miss Attractions: You will have to research and find out about the history, cultural context, and stories behind an attraction by yourself, if you visit an attraction without a tour guide. Make sure you do your research well so as not to miss major attractions.