Hagia Sophia Skip-The-Line Tour

This skip-the-line tour of Hagia Sophia is designed to discover the details of one of Istanbul's key monuments.

Hagia Sophia Tour

We will meet at the Hippodrome of Constantinople at the specified time. This guided tour covers the history of Hagia Sophia from the outside, focusing on its four minarets and dome, which is more than 30 metres (98 ft) in diameter. We will also explore its architecture, including its lighting, main hall dimensions, and mosaics. After an hour of exterior exploration, you will enter the temple, skipping the queues, visiting without a live guide but with an audioguide in English. You will learn about its transformation from a Greek Orthodox church to a mosque in the mid-15th century, then to a museum, and back to a mosque in 2020. The tour concludes outside Hagia Sophia for any remaining questions.

Audioguide

Local regulations prevent the guide from entering and explaining the interior. You may enter on your own using the audioguide in English.

Skip-the-line Ticket

Hagia Sophia receives over 3.5 million visitors annually. By reserving this ticket, you can avoid long queues at the ticket office, but you will still need to queue for security checks, which may take up to an hour during high season.