Guided Tours

Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets

Hagia Sophia exterior with visitors in Istanbul on a sunny day.

Imperial gate of Hagia Sophia with intricate carvings, Istanbul, Turkey.

Visitors exploring the interior of Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, during a guided tour.

Duration

1 hr - 4 hrs

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Guided tour

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

This ticket gives you access to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, with options for guided tours, self-guided visits, and multilingual audio guides.

Explore Hagia Sophia’s golden mosaics, the Blue Mosque’s six minarets and Iznik tiles, and the Old City’s Hippodrome, while learning about their pivotal role in the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.

Opt for a self-guided audio tour to explore at your own pace, or join a guided tour with expert commentary that unveils the rich history of Istanbul's iconic landmarks.

Depending on your ticket, enjoy a Bosphorus cruise with a multilingual audio guide, or explore additional sites like the Hagia Sophia Upper Gallery and the Blue Mosque.

Upgrade to a multilingual audio guide for Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, offering detailed commentary in your preferred language.

1-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia (as per option selected)

1-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque (as per option selected)

1-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia and the Old City (as per option selected)

2-hour Bosphorus cruise (as per option selected)

Skip-the-line access to the Hagia Sophia Mosque Upper Gallery visiting area

Expert English-speaking guide

Multilingual audio guide for Hagia Sophia

Bosphorus cruise audio guide in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic, and Chinese (as per option selected)

Entry to Blue Mosque (as per option selected)

Audio guide for Blue Mosque (as per option selected)

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

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Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Australia and over 51 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Nobuko
Apr, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Ali was our guide. He is very knowledgeable and very patient for guests who made him much difficult situation. We really enjoyed his tour and very friendly personality. Thank you!!
Simon
Mar, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Super experinece, no problems with ticets. Exelent Guide mister named Hal. Lot of history stories, revealed simbols. Top experinece of Istanbul!
Nina
Mar, 2025Verified booking
5/5
We had a very good guide, Buse, who seems to know everything about the Hagia Sophia. She shared her knowledge about all the mosaics and frescos. It is an amazing place, 1500 years old and so huge.
Young
Mar, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Detailed explanation of the history and fun facts about each destinations Efficiently planned itinerary Special thanks to Ali for guiding the tour and letting us know more about the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia
Prashanth
Apr, 2025Verified booking
5/5
Guide was amazing and he did great.

Skip the lines and explore the iconic landmarks of Istanbul, including Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and a scenic Bosphorus cruise, with expert guides and multilingual audio options.

Getting started

Upon arrival, head to the designated entrance where you can skip the regular lines with your priority access. Have your ticket and ID ready for validation. A security check is required before entry, which may take up to 60 minutes during peak seasons. Make sure to keep your ticket and ID on hand throughout your visit.

Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia is an architectural masterpiece, known for stunning mosaics, an immense dome, and its layered history as a church, mosque, and museum. Originally built as a cathedral in 537 AD, it served as the world's largest cathedral for nearly 1,000 years. Your expert guide will highlight the mosaics of Christ and the Virgin Mary, explain the intricate Islamic calligraphy, and showcase the massive dome that appears to float above.

Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is known for its six minarets and stunning blue-tiled interior. Your guide will take you through the mosque's rich history, explaining the significance of its design, the beautiful Iznik tiles, and its role in Istanbul's spiritual life.

Bosphorus Cruise

The Bosphorus Cruise offers spectacular views of Istanbul’s skyline, including landmarks like Dolmabahce Palace and the Bosphorus Bridge. As you cruise between Europe and Asia, you’ll see historic palaces, charming villages, and lush landscapes, with your guide offering insights into the city’s strategic importance.

Upgrades

If you prefer to explore at your own pace, choose the multilingual audio guide for Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, or the Bosphorus cruise, available in 10 languages, offering detailed insights as you go.

What to bring

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a water bottle, hat, and sunglasses to explore comfortably.

Download the audio app ahead of time to avoid network glitches.

Don’t forget your earphones for the audio guide.

Carry cash to pay for meals, souvenirs, and extras.

What's not allowed

The prayer area on the first floor is only for Turkish citizens.

Women should avoid knee-length shorts, skirts, and clothing that exposes shoulders or cleavage. Hair should be covered with a scarf.

Men should avoid knee-length shorts and clothing that exposes shoulders.

Photography is permitted, but flash and tripods are prohibited.

Large bags, backpacks, and tripods are not permitted.

Food and drinks are not allowed inside the mosque.

Accessibility

This experience is not accessible by wheelchair or pram/stroller.

Additional information

You can bypass the ticket lines, but the security check is mandatory and can take up to 60 minutes during the peak season (June to August).

Choose skip-the-line tickets or arrive early, particularly between June and August, to avoid long waits.

The ground floor is reserved for prayers, while the second floor is accessible to visitors.

Hagia Sophia is under renovation, so not all parts are open to the public.

During Friday prayers, the mosque is closed from 12pm to 2:30pm.

Clothes and scarves are available for purchase at the entrance.

In addition to midday and afternoon Bosphorus cruises, you can opt for a special evening cruise at 6pm, available from April to October.

Consider visiting during early mornings or late afternoons to avoid peak crowds, particularly during the summer months (May to July).

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

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.