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Hagia Sophia Skip-the-Line Tickets with Bosphorus Cruise

Gold framed windows at the dome of Hagia Sophia
Gold framed windows at the dome of Hagia Sophia
View of a yacht passing by historical palace on Bosphorus
Sightseeing Cruise Bosphorus

Skip the lines at the ancient Hagia Sophia and then unwind on a scenic Bosphorus cruise with multilingual audio guides for both experiences.

Highlights

  • Bypass the ticket queues to explore the Byzantine church turned Ottoman museum Hagia Sophia with this ticket and learn more with an audio guide.

  • Sunlight streams through the strategically placed gold-framed windows at the dome's base, with four Seraphim mosaics hovering near the rim.

  • With tickets for a Bosphorus cruise, see other Ottoman gems like the Ciragan Palace's central clock tower and its cream-colored stonework.

  • With your informative audio guide, learn about the Ortakoy Mosque's spires and the Beylerbeyi Palace's symmetrical facade.

  • Fun fact: Hagia Sophia has long been home to feline residents. These official "cat mosque caretakers" are revered for keeping the rodent population in check.

Inclusions

  • Skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia

  • Audio guide for Hagia Sophia in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German

  • 90-minute Bosphorus cruise

  • Audio guide for cruise in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic, and Chinese

  • Bosphorus map for cruise

Exclusions

  • Tour guide

Cancellation policy

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

Dive into history at the Hagia Sophia

Your adventure begins with breezing past the queues at Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and architectural marvel. With a rich blend of Byzantine and Ottoman influences, the multilingual audio guide will help you unearth details as you wander its interior. Look for the Virgin and Child mosaic adorning the apse, with its detailed features and vibrant colored glass tesserae (tiny squares). After the Ottoman conquest, Islamic calligraphy adorned the walls. Large medallions with swirling Arabic script grace the vast expanses, a beautiful contrast to the Byzantine mosaics.

Unwind on the Bosphorus

Set sail on a relaxing Bosphorus cruise on the same day or the next after your Hagia Sophia visit. Choose between daytime or sunset cruises and admire the silhouettes of Dolmabahçe Palace, a lavish Ottoman residence boasting the world's largest crystal chandelier, and the Galata Tower, once a lookout for Constantinople. The seaside villas on the European side and the fishing villages on the Asian side personify the duality of this centuries-old city. The multilingual audio guide will tell you how this river played a big role in establishing the city.

Itinerary

Bosphorus cruise

  • Galata Tower

  • Dolmabahce Palace

  • Ciragan Palace

  • Ortakoy Mosque

  • Bosphorus Bridge

  • Beylerbeyi Palace

  • Uskudar

  • Maiden Tower

  • Topkapi Palace

  • Hagia Sophia

  • Seaside Villas

Hagia Sophia

Monday09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Tuesday09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Wednesday09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Thursday09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Friday09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Saturday09:00 AM - 07:30 PM
Sunday09:00 AM - 07:30 PM

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

  • Strict dress code to visit 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.

Additional information

  • 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 at Hagia Sophia, security screening is standard for all guests. Be prepared for wait times of up to 60 minutes during peak travel periods.

  • Please note that the Hagia Sophia's visitor area is closed on Fridays from 12:30pm to 2:30pm to accommodate Friday Prayers.

  • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

  • Please arrive at the meeting point 10 mins before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

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

Meeting point

  • Meet your host at Dsign Cafe.

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

  • Landmark: In front of the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum located on the Hippodrome, right next to Egyptian Obelisk.

Get directions to the meeting point

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