Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Hagia Sophia. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

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Admission to Hagia Sophia costs €25, and is free for children 7 and under. There are also lots of budget-friendly tours featuring Hagia Sophia, which can be a good way to elevate the experience. Tours of the mosque start at US$46, while longer sightseeing tours start at US$78.

Yes, Hagia Sophia is worth visiting. Exquisite Byzantine art and architecture make the cathedral-turned-mosque one of Turkey's most iconic places—and you'll spot its distinctive domes and minarets from all around the city. While the exterior is impressive, it's worth touring the inside to see the full scope of its grandeur.

Per one customer who booked the Istanbul: Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Small-Group Tour with Ticket, "Outstanding! Time & money well spent. You will learn more by having a tour than just visiting without context. Our guide pointed out interesting nuances that if you didn't know were there, you would miss completely."

No, you do not need to book tickets to the Hagia Sophia in advance. As a mosque, the entrance is accessible to all visitors, including tourists. However, if you’re seeking an immersive sightseeing experience, booking a tour online in advance is advisable. Otherwise, be prepared for persistent guides in the long entry line.

Yes, you can wear jeans inside the Hagia Sophia. However, as it is a functioning mosque, men and women must dress modestly and cover their shoulders, arms, and legs. In addition, women must cover their heads inside the mosque. Head scarves and gowns are available for purchase after security.

Since being converted from a museum into a mosque in 2020, visiting the Hagia Sophia is free, and skip-the-line admission is no longer available. All guests must wait in the security line, and it is prohibited from entering during prayer times. Many guests enhance the long wait with a guided tour.

You'll encounter a captivating blend of history and architecture at the Hagia Sophia. Guests can marvel at intricate mosaics, grand domes, and the fusion of Byzantine and Ottoman influences. Arguably Istanbul’s most emblematic historical site, it offers a glimpse into more than 1,500 years of religious and cultural significance.

Yes, the Hagia Sophia is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. A series of ramps enable visitors to easily navigate through security and the mosque. Note that due to the historical nature of the site, there may be some slightly uneven stones between ramps.

The Hagia Sophia is open 24 hours a day. The best time to visit is early morning or evening when the entrance line is significantly shorter. Keep in mind that admission is not allowed during prayer times, which vary from day to day. Up-to-date times posted are outside the mosque and online.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Hagia Sophia. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Istanbul:

• Bosphorus

• Blue Mosque

• Topkapi Palace

• Basilica Cistern

• Hippodrome

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Istanbul.