Hagia Sophia Guided Tour + Skip-The-Line Tickets, Istanbul

Our guide, Jacobo, was wonderful, answering all our questions. We were lucky; they were praying when we entered, so we w...

Sofia

This guided tour of Hagia Sophia is the perfect way to discover every detail of one of Istanbul's star monuments, with skip-the-line access included. Essential for understanding the history of the city!

Details

Duration

1 hour.

Language

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

Included

Skip–the–line admission to Hagia Sophia
English–speaking guide

Supporting documents

Electronic voucher. Have it on your phone.

Minimum age

Not permitted for anyone under 6 years

Sustainability

All services meet our

Pets

Not allowed.

Frequently asked questions

If you have other questions, contact us

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts. Any cancellations after this or no-shows on the day will not be refunded.

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Meeting point

At Meydanı Cd, 10/1

Reviews of our customers

7.6

Very good 1,810 Travelers·101 reviews

October 3, 2026
Sofia
Madrid, Spain
Our guide, Jacobo, was wonderful, answering all our questions. We were lucky; they were praying when we entered, so we were able to see the prayer and...
Is this useful?
July 27, 2026
Jose
Madrid, Spain
We visited Hagia Sophia and the experience was excellent. The guide was very professional and friendly, explaining the history and details of the monu...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
July 29, 2026
David Fernandez Pascual
Málaga, Spain
Full marks for our guide Çengkar (sorry if I misspelled), the guy was absolute class. We were informed and entertained. He clearly knows his trade. Wa...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
June 17, 2026
Mario Tonelli
Caba, Argentina
Good information and good service
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
October 15, 2025
Anónimo
Getxo, Spain
Very satisfactory. Excellent guide.
As a couple
Is this useful?
January 2, 2024
Juan Felix
Alcalá De Henares, Spain
Very happy with the guided route. Tulay explained the history of Hagia Sophia and the most relevant information to us on a tour in which only the thre...
Is this useful?
October 2, 2025
Elisa Paola
Mexico
It's a good guided tour of Hagia Sophia. It's in English, but they might consider opening groups in Spanish, since several of us in the group were fro...
As a couple
Is this useful?
April 22, 2025
Guillermo
Barcelona, Spain
Everything went very well. The meeting point was easy to find (a bar-restaurant). Since it was Friday, we were only able to access the upper floor and...
As a couple
Is this useful?
August 12, 2024
Alejandro
Estambul, Spain
A very professional guide, not only did he give us a lot of information, but he also cared about each one of us at all times. My friend was wearing a ...
With friends
Is this useful?
May 16, 2024
Enrico Carnevali
Italy
The guide was very good, clear detailed explanations and also fun. Our reservation was for 12.00 but the tour started and did start at 12.30, perhaps ...
As a couple
Is this useful?

Show all reviews

Tour Details

At the designated time, we'll meet near the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Ready to visit one of the great masterpieces of Byzantine art? Let's go!

During this guided tour, we'll learn the history of Hagia Sophia from the outside, taking in its beauty from every possible angle. Its 4 minarets and its dome, over 30 meters (98 feet) in diameter, have become one of the definitive symbols of Istanbul.

You'll also discover all the details of its architecture, from the lighting to the imposing dimensions of the main hall and its mosaics. It's a place that leaves every visitor speechless.

After an hour learning about the mosque from the outside, you'll head inside the building, skipping the ticket queues. Once in, you'll discover how a Greek Orthodox church became a mosque in the mid-15th century, was later transformed into a museum, and then returned to being a mosque in 2020.

After exploring Hagia Sophia at your own pace, the visit comes to an end outside the mosque.

Partial Closures

Please note that restoration works are currently underway at Hagia Sophia. As a result, only the second floor is accessible, as the lower level is reserved for prayer.

Skip-the-Line Admission

Hagia Sophia welcomes over 3.5 million visitors a year. By booking this activity, you'll save yourself the long ticket office queues. However, you will still need to queue for security to enter the monument, which in high season can take up to an hour.

7.6

Very good 1,810 Travelers·101 reviews

October 3, 2026
Sofia
Madrid, Spain
Our guide, Jacobo, was wonderful, answering all our questions. We were lucky; they were praying when we entered, so we were able to see the prayer and...
Is this useful?
July 27, 2026
Jose
Madrid, Spain
We visited Hagia Sophia and the experience was excellent. The guide was very professional and friendly, explaining the history and details of the monu...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
July 29, 2026
David Fernandez Pascual
Málaga, Spain
Full marks for our guide Çengkar (sorry if I misspelled), the guy was absolute class. We were informed and entertained. He clearly knows his trade. Wa...
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
June 17, 2026
Mario Tonelli
Caba, Argentina
Good information and good service
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
October 15, 2025
Anónimo
Getxo, Spain
Very satisfactory. Excellent guide.
As a couple
Is this useful?
January 2, 2024
Juan Felix
Alcalá De Henares, Spain
Very happy with the guided route. Tulay explained the history of Hagia Sophia and the most relevant information to us on a tour in which only the thre...
Is this useful?
October 2, 2025
Elisa Paola
Mexico
It's a good guided tour of Hagia Sophia. It's in English, but they might consider opening groups in Spanish, since several of us in the group were fro...
As a couple
Is this useful?
April 22, 2025
Guillermo
Barcelona, Spain
Everything went very well. The meeting point was easy to find (a bar-restaurant). Since it was Friday, we were only able to access the upper floor and...
As a couple
Is this useful?
August 12, 2024
Alejandro
Estambul, Spain
A very professional guide, not only did he give us a lot of information, but he also cared about each one of us at all times. My friend was wearing a ...
With friends
Is this useful?
May 16, 2024
Enrico Carnevali
Italy
The guide was very good, clear detailed explanations and also fun. Our reservation was for 12.00 but the tour started and did start at 12.30, perhaps ...
As a couple
Is this useful?

Show all reviews

Points of interest in Istanbul

Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace Blue Mosque Basilica Cistern Galata Tower Grand Bazaar

Types of activities in Istanbul

Guided Tours and Free Tours Free Tour Boat tours Folk Event Zen Day trips

Other activities in Istanbul

Istanbul Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Basilica Cistern Tour Turkish Coffee Workshop Cappadocia, Pamukkale & Ephesus 6-Day Trip Stained Glass Painting Workshop Perfume Workshop in Istanbul Turkish Lamp Workshop Sapphire Tower Viewpoint Tickets Cappadocia 4-Day Tour 7-Day Turkey Classics Tour Istanbul Tourist Bus

Tour Details

At the designated time, we'll meet near the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Ready to visit one of the great masterpieces of Byzantine art? Let's go!

You'll also discover all the details of its architecture, from the lighting to the imposing dimensions of the main hall and its mosaics. It's a place that leaves every visitor speechless.

After exploring Hagia Sophia at your own pace, the visit comes to an end outside the mosque.

Partial Closures

Please note that restoration works are currently underway at Hagia Sophia. As a result, only the second floor is accessible, as the lower level is reserved for prayer.

Hagia Sophia Guided Tour + Skip-The-Line Tickets