Headout logo. Link to home.
Help
Guided Tours

Istanbul: Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Tickets

Hagia Sophia interior with ornate domes and arches, Istanbul, Turkey.
Visitors observing the Deesis mosaic in Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey.
Blue Mosque exterior in Istanbul with domes and minarets against a clear sky.
Blue Mosque interior with intricate tilework and stained glass windows, Istanbul.

Save money, see more! Explore the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia with a discounted ticket and stories from an expert.

    • Blue Mosque's Iznik tiles, elephant-foot pillars supporting its vast domes, and handwoven carpets covering the vast prayer hall, will leave you in awe.

    • Find hidden marble doors at Hagia Sophia, tombs of Ottoman sultans, mosaics once buried under centuries of plaster, and giant oil lamps.

    • On a guided walk of Istanbul's Old Town, pass by the Million Stone, once the zero-mile marker of the Byzantine Empire, and the Obelisk of Theodosius from Ancient Egypt.

    • Upgrade and descend into Istanbul’s hidden depths with a guided tour of Basilica Cistern’s eerie forest of columns, where carp swim beneath glowing arches.

    • Did you know? The Blue Mosque's interior is lit by 260 windows and offers panoramic views.

    • 1-hour guided tour of the Blue Mosque

    • Entry to Blue Mosque

    • 45-min guided tour of the Hagia Sophia

    • Entry to Hagia Sophia

    • Expert English-speaking licensed guide for all venues

    • Walking tour around Old Town

    • Istanbul Old Town map

    • 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?

    4.3
    494 ratings
    5/5
    293
    4/5
    111
    3/5
    43
    2/5
    18
    1/5
    29
    • United States
    • United Kingdom
    • Italy
    • Australia
    • Canada
    • France
    • Portugal
    • Germany
    • Switzerland
    • Romania
    Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Italy and over 56 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
    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
    Lyle Douglas Keating

    Lyle

    5/5

    Mar, 2025

    The guide was friendly and knowledgeable and we had a great tour. One tourist didn't see us at the meeting point half way through and yelled at the guide saying he hadn't shown up, but the guide did show up, he was there and so were the other tourists in the group, just this one man didn't see us and walked away. It wasn't the guide's fault, he waited for the man to come back but then had to carry on with the tour for the rest of us.
    Hubertus Fuchs

    Hubertus

    5/5

    Mar, 2025

    Great tour! Excellent tour guide who explained the history of the individual sights with a great deal of experience and passion. Highly recommended!
    View original review in German
  • Armed with this super-saver combo ticket, experience Istanbul’s greatest architectural beauties – Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

    Hagia Sophia

    The journey to Hagia Sophia begins with a meeting at the Blue Mosque, where you'll learn about historical facts and the latest renovations. Continue to the Blue Mosque courtyards and the Old City around it. The city is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk your way through the renowned Hagia Sophia and admire the coexistence of Byzantine and Ottoman art pieces. The Dome, featuring 40 windows, will surely impress you while the Wishing Column is thought to have healing effects! Learn all about the genius of Byzantine architecture and art with the power of storytelling, thanks to your expert English-speaking historian tour guide.

    Blue Mosque

    Learn about the rich history of Istanbul and the Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, the Islamic faith, and the famous blue Iznik tiles inside the Blue Mosque with your official licensed guide. During the tour, you will have ample opportunities to explore and take amazing photographs of the hand-painted blue tiles that adorn the mosque’s interior walls, the mosque’s five main domes, six minarets, and eight secondary domes. Get enough insights and tips to help you discover independently the rest of your trip.

  • 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.

    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€).

    • 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

    • Meet your guide at Dsign Cafe.

    • Address: Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:10, 34093 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye.

    • Landmark: Turkish and Islamic Art Museum, Hippodrome.

    • Your guide will be waiting for you at the meeting point with Headout or Istanbul Welcome Card Flags.

    Get Directions to the Meeting Point

Similar experiences you'd love

Tourist exploring the historic Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, Turkey.
Landmarks
Instant confirmation
4.5
Rated 4.5 out of 5.0 from 3478 ratings.
from
€32.90
Free cancellation
Topkapi Palace Entrance
Landmarks
Instant confirmation
4.3
Rated 4.3 out of 5.0 from 3140 ratings.
from
€59.90
Free cancellation
Guide Explaining to Tourist about Topkapi
Guided Tours
Instant confirmation
4.4
Rated 4.4 out of 5.0 from 1517 ratings.
from €79
€68.90
13% off
Free cancellation
Illuminated columns in the underground Basilica Cistern, Istanbul.
Guided Tours
Instant confirmation
4.4
Rated 4.4 out of 5.0 from 889 ratings.
from €44
€41.80
5% off
Dolmabahce Palace exterior with ornate architecture in Istanbul.
Landmarks
4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5.0 from 1203 ratings.
from
€44.90

Get the Headout app, save up to 80%

Enjoy exclusive deals, offline access to your tickets & live booking updates.
Download iPhone appDownload Android app
iphone

We've served 37 million+ guests and we are here for you

37 million+

Happy customers across 10,000+ experiences

In the media

Featured and recommended by the best brands

24 x 7 help center

Have a question? Live chat with local experts anywhere, anytime