Museums

Hagia Sophia Skip-the-Line Tickets

Hagia Sophia Cathedral/Mosque/Museum in Istanbul Turkey

Hagia Sophia exterior with visitors in Istanbul, showcasing skip-the-line tour experience.

tourist listening to audio guide in Roman Pantheon

Hagia Sophia exterior with tourists on guided tour in Istanbul, Turkey.

Save your time with these skip-the-line entry tickets to Hagia Sophia, with an audio guide in 23 languages. Marvel at the beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Highlights

Discover the wondrous Hagia Sophia, a revered attraction in Istanbul, with skip-the-line access and an audio guide in 23 languages.
Stroll through the magnificent monument that once was the world's largest place of worship for over a millennium.
Listen to your informational audio guide to learn about the history, architecture, and Islamic and Byzantine heritage of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Get skip-the-line access to the 2nd-floor Visitors' Center and explore the marvelous mosaics and paintings at your own pace.
Did you know? Hagia Sophia started as a church, then became a mosque for 500 years, and finally a museum.

Inclusions

Skip the ticket line to Hagia Sophia
Entry to Hagia Sophia visiting area
Audio guide for both attractions (optional)
10% discount at Dsign Cafe

Exclusions

Skip the security line

Cancellation policy

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Reviews

4.3

6.3K ratings

5/5

4.2K

4/5

1.1K

3/5

267

2/5

307

1/5

452

Georgiou

4/5

Nov, 2024

The visit to Hagia Sophia was rather disappointing. Non-Turkish citizens were typically not allowed to enter the mosque premises, which is completely unreasonable. Everyone should have the right to enter a place of prayer, as praying is a universal act and should not be restricted to Muslims alone.

Yordanka

3/5

Nov, 2024

I felt that the tour guide was not knowledgeable enough to explain the history and the facts around Haga Sophia. We stayed around 30minutes outside and he was just talking and most of us are English speakers and couldn't understand what he was saying. One couple asked him why you need to cover your head when you go in the mosque and the tour guide said "these are the rules" and moved on. Repeatedly kept saying "by the way" and "actually".

Chiara

4/5

Nov, 2024

The skip-tail ticket allowed us faster access to Hagia Sophia or given the tight schedule we would have had to postpone. The 'audio guide not very exhaustive and not very fluent (the division between Ottoman and Byzantine route makes the visit not very easy). Also the non-specific identification of landmarks in the ground floor room or tour floor. The visit thus limited to the first floor makes the 'experience incomplete. The mosque, however, is splendid.

View original review in Italian

Jeremy

3/5

Nov, 2024

Still had to queue despite 'skip the queue' tickets. This description is misleading. If there are instructions on the tickets as to how to get the free audio guide they are pretty well hidden.

Carlos

5/5

Nov, 2024

It was fast and evidently the place is amazing. I had been before, but never at the top. I was able to see up close and learn about the hidden Christian, Byzantine paintings. It really is amazing to be able to appreciate something so old with so much history.

View original review in Spanish

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Your experience

Skip-the-line entry to the legendary Hagia Sophia

Discover Istanbul’s gem, the world-famous Hagia Sophia , with these convenient skip-the-line entry tickets. A must-visit for first-timers in Istanbul, this church-turned-mosque-turned-museum has much to offer, in terms of architectural beauty and historical significance. Learn about the history of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires with the aid of your audio guide, available in 23 languages.

A step back in time

Take in the magnificent art and architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. With skip-the-line access to the 2nd-floor Visitors' Center, you can stroll through the upper gallery while gazing at the mesmerizing mosaics and the imperial dome to get a glimpse into the rich history of Hagia Sophia.

Operating hours

Hagia Sophia

Monday	09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Tuesday	09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Wednesday	09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Thursday	09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Friday	09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Saturday	09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Sunday	09:00 AM - 07:30 PM

Know before you go

What's not allowed

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

What to bring

Don't forget to carry your own headphones to listen to the audio guide.

Accessibility

This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Additional information

You skip the ticket lines but you cannot skip the security check.
The security check can take up to 60 minutes during peak seasons.
Appropriate and respectful clothing is mandatory while visiting the Hagia Sophia
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
Clothes and scarves are available for purchase at the entrance of the attraction
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 recommend visiting after 4pm to avoid the lengthy security line anticipated between 2pm and 4pm.