Hagia Sophia Skip-The-Line Tour

This skip-the-line tour of Hagia Sophia is perfect for discovering all the details of one of Istanbul's star monuments – a must to learn about the history of the city!

Hagia Sophia Tour

At the indicated time, we'll meet at the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Are you ready to visit one of the great masterpieces of Byzantine art? Let's get started!

During this guided tour, we'll learn about the history of Hagia Sophia from the outside, admiring its beauty from every possible point of view. Its four minarets and dome, more than 30 metres (98 ft) in diameter, are emblematic of Istanbul.

We'll discover all the details of its architecture, from its lighting to the dimensions of the main hall and its mosaics. It leaves visitors speechless.

After an hour of exploring the mosque externally, you'll go inside the temple, skipping the queues, visiting without a live guide. You will have an audioguide explaining the mosque in English. As you enter Hagia Sophia, you'll learn about its transformation from a Greek Orthodox church into a mosque in the mid-15th century and later into a museum before its conversion back into a mosque in 2020.

After touring Hagia Sophia, we'll conclude the tour outside the mosque, where you can ask the guide any remaining questions.

Audioguide

Due to local regulations, the guide will not be able to enter with you and explain the interior of Hagia Sophia. However, you'll be able to enter on your own, following the explanations of an audioguide in English.

Skip-the-line Ticket

Hagia Sophia is visited daily by more than 3.5 million people a year. Reserving this ticket allows you to avoid long queues at the ticket office, although you will still queue for security control, which may take up to an hour during high season.