Guided Hagia Sophia Tour

Are you ready to explore 1500 years of history with Hagia Sophia?

Hagia Sophia is one of the most visited attractions in Istanbul! It will amaze you with its magnificent architecture, history, and ambiance.


Mobile ticketing: No need for printed voucher, we're digital!

Duration: 60 Minutes Check Time table to see starting times

Skip the ticket line: Avoid queues!

Instant confirmation: The tour doesn't require a reservation in advance.

Guide: English


Highlights

Discover Hagia Sophia with a local guide

Learn More About Hagia Sophia stories and legends!

Enjoy the view of Marmara Sea and the Bosphorus Strait

Learn the magnificent history of Hagia Sophia!


Includes

An amazing skip-the-line guided tour of Hagia Sophia

Entry to Hagia Sophia

Professional English speaking tour guide


Covid-19 precautions

Safety: All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned

Social: Distancing is maintained in museums

Mask: Wearing mask is mandatory during museum visit

Limited Visitors: To reduce crowds, the number of visitors is limited


Hagia Sophia: Church, Mosque & Museum

Welcome to Hagia Sophia, where 1500 years of Christian and Islamic history can be seen side-by-side.

Once the great cathedral of Constantinople and later an imperial mosque of the Ottoman Empire, this former centre of worship for Christians and Muslims is now a unique museum for the world.

Wonder at the the incredible height of the famous dome and the amazing architecture, see the glittering remains of the original gold mosaics and learn about the history of this icon of Istanbul.

Mondays: 10:00, 14:30

Tuesdays: 09:00, 10:15

Wednesday to Sundays: 10:00, 10:30, 14:30

The approximate duration is 60

Please meet your guide at the meeting point 10 minutes before the tour start time.


How To Get There?

Where to meet?

The tour starts at the main bus stop for the Big Bus Tour Company at Sultanahmet Square. Look out for the dark red double-decker buses. It's about 20 metres (65 ft) in front of the Hagia Sophia Museum.

To get to Sultanahmet Square, take the T1 Bağılar - Kabataş tram and get off at Sultanahmet station. Walk towards Hagia Sophia and keep an eye out for the Big Bus stop.

Our guides carry a white flag with Istanbul Go Pass logo.



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Guided Hagia Sophia Tour FREE With

Avoid paying the entry fees and skip the ticket queues with Istanbul Go Pass®.

Guided Hagia Sophia Tour is Included in Istanbul Go Pass®️ with English speaking Professional Guide.

  • The guided tours are performed in English.
  • The tour starts at the meeting point which is the Big Bus Company bus stop in Sultanahmet.
  • The tour doesn't require a reservation in advance.
  • Istanbul Go Pass holders do not pay admission at the Hagia Sophia Museum.
  • Children will be asked to present their passport at the entrance to confirm their age.
  • Remember to wear modest clothing (arms and legs covered). Women must cover their hair with a scarf. If you forget to bring your own scarf, you can buy one before you enter.
  • The museum is only open for half a day on the first day of Ramadan and the Sacrifice Festivals.

From the Greek history, Hagia means Holy and Sophia means Wisdom. Literally it becomes Holy Wisdom. In Latin it’s Sancta Sophia.

Hagia Sophia was opened as a museum in 1934 by the decision of the Council of Ministers. Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque on Friday the 24th of July, 2020

It’s worth to see Hagia Sophia with its magnificent appearance and architecture with harmony of Christianity and Islam. Moreover, Hagia Sophia was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.

Yes, Haghia Sophia is a mosque you can get in without a guide except during the praying hours but we recommend to join Guided tour for learn more about the history.

Since it is a mosque with many people praying daily, make sure you wear modest clothes and a headscarf. Also shorts and revealing clothes are forbidden while visiting the Mosque. You should remove your footwear whe you enter, and put it in a bag.

Yes. Hagia Sophia is open for tourist visits at the moment. Nevertheless, you cannot visit the mosque during prayer hours. Istanbul Go Pass includes a guided tour of Hagia Sophia with pre-scheduled time.

You can find meeting location at 'Hours & Meeting' section, our guides carry a white flag with the logo of Istanbul Go Pass®

You can find tour hours at 'Hours & Meeting' section. Please meet your guide at the meeting point 10 minutes before the tour start time.

Hagia Sophia Mosque is open all day throughout the week.Best time to visit Hagia Sophia would be the morning hours, between 9AM and afternoon.That is because during these times, prayers are not held and you can explore the mosque without any interruptions



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