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Guided Tours

Istanbul: Blue Mosque Guided Tour

Blue Mosque courtyard in Istanbul with tourists exploring the historic architecture.
Interior view of Istanbul's Blue Mosque showcasing intricate tilework and grand arches.
Hagia Sophia exterior with minarets and dome in Istanbul, Turkey.
Hagia Sophia interior with ornate domes and arches in Istanbul, Turkey.

Unravel Blue Mosque’s secrets and stroll through Old Istanbul’s historic gems with a guide.

    • Walk straight into the Blue Mosque with a licensed guide who reveals why its minarets caused a stir and how its architecture enhances prayers.

    • Gaze at the vast marble courtyard, elegant cascading domes, colossal columns nicknamed “elephant feet,” and inscriptions hand-drawn by Ottoman calligraphers.

    • A guide leads the way through the mosque and an Old City walking tour past the Hippodrome, ancient Obelisks, and Byzantine relics.

    • Enhance your journey with a Bosphorus cruise for unbeatable skyline views, take a Hagia Sophia tour to uncover its hidden frescoes, or explore the Basilica Cistern.

    • Fun fact: Various verses from the Quran and the words of the Prophet Muhammad adorn the high walls of the mosque.

    • 1-hour guided tour of the Blue Mosque

    • Entry to Blue Mosque

    • Expert English-speaking licensed guide

    • Walking tour around Old City

    • Istanbul Old Town map

    • 90-min Bosphorus cruise ticket (as per option selected)

    • Audio guide for cruise in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic & Chinese (as per option selected)

    • Bosphorus cruise map (as per option selected)

    • 45-min guided tour of the Hagia Sophia (as per option selected)

    • Entry to Hagia Sophia (as per option selected)

    • 30-min guided tour of the Basilica Cistern (as per option selected)

    • Entry to Basilica Cistern (as per option selected)

  • You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • How do we collect reviews?

    4.2
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    Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Italy and over 69 countries have loved this experience
    Peter Rutherford

    Peter

    5/5

    Apr, 2025

    I had a great time thanks to the guid who was brilliant, very informative and was able to pass on the information in easy way so you understood , he also had a good sense of humour . The things we saw were fascinating and interesting even though I have travelled a lot over the years.
    Rühling Christopher

    Rühling

    5/5

    Apr, 2025

    A very entertaining guide, who ensured that the tour was very exciting, entertaining and entertaining with his great specialist knowledge and many anecdotes! Not having to queue is a great luxury, as the other queues would have taken hours.
    View original review in German
    PETER VARTELAS

    Peter

    5/5

    Apr, 2025

    Our guide Ali was excellent. Very well informed. Happily answered Questions. Factual and patient. His command of the English language was very good.
    Brian Degiorgio

    Brian

    5/5

    Apr, 2025

    This was the worst experience ever, DO NOT TRUST THIS COMPANY ITS A SCAM, they take your money and guide never shows up, everything about this company is wrong, you're not even allowed to submit a negative review!! NEVER AGAIN
    Diana Gomes

    Diana

    5/5

    Mar, 2025

    Fayik's punctuality, friendliness and professionalism! He was knowledgeable and at ease with the topics. He easily guided the group. He's an excellent guide! The duration of the tour is ideal and the monuments visited are extraordinary! We recommend
    View original review in Portuguese
  • What to bring

    • Bring your walking shoes, water bottle, hat, sunglasses, and snacks for comfortable exploration.

    • Bring local currency or your preferred payment method for meals, souvenirs, and extra delights not covered by the ticket.

    • Stay ahead of the game; download the audio app beforehand to dodge any network glitches at the location.

    • Don’t forget your trusty earphones for an immersive audio guide experience.

    What's not allowed

    Hagia Sophia

    • The prayer area on the first floor can only be entered by Turkish citizens.

    • Strict dress code: Women should not wear knee-length shorts, skirts, or clothing with exposed shoulders or chests. Hair should be partially covered with a scarf. Men should not wear knee-length shorts or clothing with exposed shoulders.

    Accessibility

    Basilica Cistern

    • This experience is wheelchair accessible.

    Hagia Sophia

    • This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

    Additional information

    • If you do not have a scarf or body cover, you can buy them at the entrance (a scarf is 1€ and a body cover is 3€).

    • You can choose to take the Bosphorus cruise on the same day or the next day. In addition to midday and afternoon departures, enjoy a special evening cruise at 6pm, available from April to October.

    • While you can breeze through the ticket lines, security screening is standard for all guests. Be prepared for wait times of up to 60 minutes during peak travel periods.

    • Hagia Sophia is under renovation, therefore, not all parts of the building are open to the public.

    • Due to the Friday prayer, the Mosque will be closed to tourists from 12pm to 2pm. For a smoother experience, it's recommended to visit after 4pm to avoid the lengthy security line anticipated between 2pm and 4pm.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

    • Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

    Meeting Point

    Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.

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