Hagia Sophia Skip-The-Line Tour

This skip-the-line tour of Hagia Sophia is ideal for those looking to explore one of Istanbul's key monuments.

Hagia Sophia Tour

We will meet at the Hippodrome of Constantinople at the designated time for the tour. We will begin our exploration of Hagia Sophia and its significance in Byzantine art.

During the guided portion, we will examine the history of Hagia Sophia from the outside, observing its structure, including its four minarets and dome, which has a diameter of more than 30 metres (98 ft).

We will learn about the mosque's architecture, specifically its lighting, the dimensions of the main hall, and its mosaics. After this hour, you can go inside the temple, skipping the queues. Inside, there will be no live guide, but an audioguide will be available in English. You will discover the conversion of the Greek Orthodox church into a mosque in the mid-15th century, its status as a museum, and its restoration to a mosque in 2020.

The tour will conclude outside the mosque, where you can ask the guide any remaining questions.

Audioguide

As per local regulations, the guide will not enter with you. You can explore on your own with the audioguide in English.

Skip-the-line Ticket

Santa Sophia receives over 3.5 million visitors annually. Reserving this ticket allows you to avoid long lines at the ticket office, though you will still need to queue for security checks, especially during high season when it may take up to an hour.