Hagia Sophia Location- Best Time to Visit & More

Hagia Sophia, a blend of Islamic and Christian Symbols

The Hagia Sophia is one of the most famous attractions in Istanbul, Turkey. Be it worshippers or non-worshippers, everyone flocks to this church-turned-mosque for it represents an important slice of Turkish history. Hagia Sophia’s architecture is celebrated around the world, for it houses both Christian and Islamic symbols. An extremely important part of Turkish culture, the Hagia Sophia Mosque has a prominent dome, lavish Christian mosaics, and minarets with beautiful Islamic inscriptions. Here is everything you need to know about the best ways to reach Hagia Sophia.

Where is Hagia Sophia located?

Address: Sultan Ahmet Ayasofya Meydanı No:1 34122/Istanbul

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Hagia Sophia is located in Istanbul, Turkey. The mosque is situated in the European part of Sultanahmet Square, near the Topkapi Palace, another famous landmark in Istanbul. Hagia Sophia's prime location makes it the best spot for day trips. On your visit to the Hagia Sophia Church, you can visit the Grand Bazaar, Basilica Cistern, and other attractions in Sultanahmet Square.

Closest Landmark: Hagia Sophia is only 1.8 km away from the famous Topkapi Palace.

Hagia Sophia Opening Hours>

Getting to the Hagia Sophia by public transport

By Bus

Closest Bus Stop: Çatladıkapı - Yenikapı Yönü (13-minute walk)

The Istanbul International airport is 20 km from Hagia Sophia. It’ll take you around one hour by bus to reach the mosque from the airport.
The nearest bus stop to Hagia Sophia is Çatladıkapı - Yenikapı Yönü. The stop is a 13-minute walk away from Hagia Sophia.
The last bus to Hagia Sophia is BN1. It reaches Hagia Sophia by 12:18 AM.
Bus Routes 35A, 36, 36ES, 38, 38Z,97, and 92B will get you to the Hagia Sophia.

By Train

Closest Train Station: Sikeci (a 16-minute walk).

You can take the train from the airport to Hagia Sophia as well. The journey will take around 1 hour.
The nearest train station to Hagia Sophia is Sirkeci which is a 7-minute walk away from Hagia Sophia.
You can take the Marmaray (Ataköy - Pendik) train or the Marmaray (Halkali- Gebze) train to reach Hagia Sophia.
The Marmaray (Halkali- Gebze) is the last train to Hagia Sophia.

By Metro

Closest Metro Station: Sultanahmet (a 7-minute walk)

If you take the metro from the airport, you can reach Hagia Sophia within 50 minutes.
The nearest metro station to Hagia Sophia is Sultanahmet, which is a 7-minute walk from the mosque.
You’ll have to take metro M2 to reach Hagia Sophia.

By Tram

Closest Tram Station: Sultanahmet (a 7-minute walk)

It’ll take around one hour to reach Hagia Sophia from the airport via tram.
The nearest tram station to Hagia Sophia is Sultanahmet, which is a 7-minute walk from the mosque.
Take tram T1 to reach Hagia Sophia.

Getting to Hagia Sophia by Car

Driving Routes

Driving to the Hagia Sophia is one of the faster ways to reach the mosque.
Hagia Sophia is located 20 km away from the Istanbul International Airport. It’ll take you around 1 hour to reach the mosque from the airport.
There are two routes that you can go for. The shortest and quickest route from the International airport to Hagia Sophia is via D020. You can also take the O-7, to reach the mosque from the airport. The travel time for both these routes is pretty much the same. The D020 will get you to Hagia Sophia within an hour whereas the O-7 route will get you to the mosque in 1 hour and 8 minutes.
It's a good idea to check Google Maps before leaving the airport to understand which route you should take to reach Hagia Sophia.

Parking Facilities

There are no parking facilities at the Hagia Sophia, but you can park your car at any of these car parks.

Naz Otopark: The Naz Otopark is only 750 m away from Hagia Sophia. After parking your car here, you will have to walk for 8 minutes to reach the mosque.
Sports CarPark: The Sports CarPark is also only 750 m away from the Hagia Sophia. You’ll have to walk for 9 minutes from the car park to reach the mosque.
Dalbasti Parking: Dalbasti Parking is the closest car park to Hagia Sophia. It's only 260 m away from the mosque. You just have to walk for 3 minutes after parking your car to reach the Hagia Sophia.
Ispark Otopark: This parking area is only a 2-minute walk to the Hagia Sophia.
Ispark: Another parking garage near the Hagia Sophia is Ispark. This parking facility is a 3-minute walk from the mosque.

Walking to the Hagia Sophia

Travel Time: 4 minutes (260 m)

The closest landmark to Hagia Sophia is the Topkapi Palace, which is only a 4-minute walk away.

If you want to explore Istanbul like a local and soak in all its sights and sounds, try to walk to attractions that are near to each other. For example, you could explore Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace in one day since they are located close to each other.

Plan Your Visit to the Hagia Sophia>

Best ways to get to Hagia Sophia

Budget-Friendly: The best way to save money is by choosing public transport in Istanbul. The quickest way to reach the Hagia Sophia is by using the metro or the tram. Public transportation not only saves time but also helps you stick to your budget.
Fastest Route: If you are in a time crunch, the fastest way to get to Hagia Sophia is by taking a car or taxi. You simply have to get in the car and then get off right outside the mosque.
Sightseeing: If you are visiting Istanbul for the first time, walking is a great way to do some sightseeing and exploring. Try to walk to attractions that are near each other. By doing so, you will be able to immerse yourself in the local culture.

What to See Inside the Hagia Sophia>

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Frequently asked questions about getting to the Hagia Sophia

Where is the Hagia Sophia located?

The Hagia Sophia is located at Sultan Ahmet Ayasofya Meydanı No:1 34122 in Istanbul.

Which city is the Hagia Sophia in?

The Hagia Sophia is in Istanbul, Turkey.

How do I get to Hagia Sophia?

You can use public transport such as buses, trains, metros, or trams to reach Hagia Sophia. Most of these modes of transport have stops at Sultanahmet Square which is only a 5-minute walk away from the mosque.

Which is the fastest way to get to Hagia Sophia?

The fastest way to get to Hagia Sophia is by taking a car or a taxi. You’ll reach the mosque within an hour if you are coming from Istanbul International Airport.

Which is the closest bus stop to Hagia Sophia?

The Çatladıkapı - Yenikapı Yönü is the closest bus stop to Hagia Sophia. It’s a 13-minute walk from the stop to the mosque.

Which is the closest train station to Hagia Sophia?

The closest train station is Sikeci, which is a 16-minute walk from the Hagia Sophia.

Can I park at the Hagia Sophia?

You cannot park at the Hagia Sophia, but you can park at one of the many parking facilities available around the attraction like Sports Car Park, or the Dalbasti Parking.

Are there parking facilities near the Hagia Sophia?

Yes. You can park your car at Naz Otopark, Sports Car Park, or the Dalbasti Parking. These parking facilities are 5-8 minutes away from Hagia Sophia.

Can I walk to Hagia Sophia?

If you are coming from the Topkapi Palace, you can easily walk to the Hagia Sophia. The mosque is only a 4-minute walk away from the palace.