Hagia Sophia
The Hagia Sophia (also known as the Aya Sofya, which is taken from the Greek words for ‘Holy Wisdom’) is a unique Byzantine building and an icon of Istanbul. Originally the seat of the Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church, it was also used as a mosque by the Ottomans before being secularized and converted to a museum. The site is hugely popular and can be extremely busy, so book your tickets in advance to skip the lines!
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Tickets
Book your tickets in advance!
Hagia Sophia Museum: Skip The Ticket Line + Audio Guide
5.0
(115)
(115)Explore Istanbul's eighth wonder of the world
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Hagia Sophia: Skip-the-Line Ticket with Guided Tour
-12%
4.5
(556)
(556)Skip the line and enter the magnificent Hagia Sophia, which is the world’s largest place of worship, built by Emperor Justinian in 532 AD. Enjoy a guided tour inside and see the tallest dome of the largest Christian church in the world.
on 2 websites
Hagia Sophia Fast-Track Admission with a Licensed Guide
4.5(111)
(111)Skip the long lines and enter Hagia Sophia with a local guide who will give you a brief introduction and orientation tips. Explore the monument on your own and awe at the architectural miracles and the beautiful remains of the wall frescoes inside.
getyourguide.com
Museum Pass
Combine your trip to the Hagia Sophia with other museums in Istanbul, and skip the lines when you visit!Istanbul: 5-Day Guided Museum Pass
4.1
(18)
(18)Skip the line to get into the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahçe Palace, Blue Mosque, and more on an exceptional guided tour.
on 2 websites
VIP Istanbul Combo Ticket: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Baslica Cistern
5.0(3)
(3)Save time and money with this Istanbul Welcome Card VIP Combo Ticket, enjoy hassle-free access to the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Basilca Cistern and benefit from our licensed guide service.Our VIP Combo Ticket Istanbul Service for you: We will personaly meet you at the museums and bring you inside the fastest way. Inside the museums we will provide you with the most essential information and afterwards you can discover these museums on your own pace as long as you want.Combo Ticket Istanbul is valid for 3 Days:You can come at the available times, to our meeting points and visit with your guide these top museums. Hagia Sophia Times:Daily except Mondays at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00Topkapi Palace Times:Daily except Tuesdays at 09:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13.30, 14:30 and 15:30 Basilica Cistern Times:Daily at 09:30, 11:30, 13:30 and 15:30Your Advantages:- Guiding service- Save time and skip the ticket lines
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More Tickets & Tours
Browse even more products which include a trip to the Hagia Sophia!Istanbul: Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
-15%
4.3(383)
(383)On this 30-minute tour, visit the 4th-century Basilica Cistern and discover the mystery of Medusa heads from Greek mythology.
on 3 websites
Full Day Istanbul Guided Tour with Lunch
4.4(230)
(230)Istanbul is an incredible city filled with towering mosques, ancient stadiums and grand bazaars. Today you can experience them all on this wonderful guided day tour!
getyourguide.com
Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia & More: Istanbul City Tour
4.2(257)
(257)Admire Istanbul's main attractions on this full-day guided tour. You’ll visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. From history to shopping, this sightseeing tour offers an authentic Istanbul experience.
getyourguide.com
Istanbul: Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Small-Group Tour
4.6(47)
(47)Join a small group walking tour of the two most famous monuments in Istanbul: the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. Enjoy a scenic stroll around Sultanahmet and witness the local life with a professional guide.
getyourguide.com
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Top Tips
1. The Hagia Sophia is one of Istanbul’s most popular tourist sites, so make sure to arrive before 10 am if you’d like to skip the crowds! In summer the crowds also thin out during the late afternoon.
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul at dusk | Photo: David Spender CC BY 2.0
2. If you’re planning to take a guided tour then make sure to book your guide in advance, or ask your hotel to help you find a guide. Avoid being taken in by any of the guides outside the Hagia Sophia, as they may overcharge you.
Hagia Sophia | Photo: Brian Suda CC BY 2.0
3. The Hagia Sophia is included in Istanbul’s museum pass, which is valid for 5 days after you buy it. You can skip the ticket lines by buying the pass at a less busy museum before visiting the Hagia Sophia.
4. Make sure that you don’t skip the upstairs gallery of the site, which will let you get a great view over the lower floor and get you closer to some of the mosaics on the walls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hagia Sophia?
The Hagia Sophia was originally built to be the cathedral for the Greek Orthodox patriarch before being converted into a Catholic cathedral until Constantinople was conquered by the Ottomans. The Ottomans converted the building again, this time into a mosque. Many of the building’s original Christian features were either destroyed or plastered over, with new Islamic additions being made, including the addition of four minarets. It was the most important mosque in Istanbul until the completion of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque), which was built nearby in 1616, but its architecture has inspired other mosque-builders around the world. In 1931 the Hagia Sophia was closed to the public for four years, before being reopened as a museum in 1935 under the instructions of the secularist regime of Kemal Atatürk. During this time the plaster which had been covering some of the early Christian mosaics was removed and the building’s entire history was emphasized, and it was banned from being used as a place of worship. Today the question of the Hagia Sophia’s religious status is politically charged, with the current rulers of Turkey pushing for it to return to being a mosque.What’s inside the Hagia Sophia Museum?
The Hagia Sophia Museum contains religious items from the building’s Christian and Muslim eras, in addition to a handful of sculptures. However, the main draw is the building itself, its exceptional Byzantine architecture, and its glorious mosaics, many of which were hidden while the building was used as a mosque. Once you’re inside you can take the time to explore to your heart’s content.Should I take a guided tour?
There’s no official guided tour, but plenty of local guides offer tours of the Hagia Sophia. If you do your research then it’s well worth taking a tour as an expert guide can add a great deal to the visit, fleshing out what might be lacking from signs and helping to paint a picture of the importance of the Hagia Sophia to the history of Istanbul. An audio guide is also available in 12 languages including Turkish, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese, Persian, Greek, Russian, and Korean, if you don’t want to hire a guide but would like some more context for what you’re seeing.How long should I plan for a visit to the Hagia Sophia?
If you’re exploring by yourself or using an audio guide then you should plan between 1 and 2 hours for a trip to the Hagia Sophia. If you’re intending to visit with a guide then you may need longer, especially if you’re going to combine the tour with a visit to the nearby Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Topkapi Palace.General Information
Opening Hours:
Address:
Sultan Ahmet Mahallesi
Ayasofya Meydanı
34122 Fatih/İstanbul
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