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Guided Tours

Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Tickets

Interior view of Hagia Sophia with ornate domes and Arabic calligraphy, Istanbul.
Visitors viewing Deesis mosaic in Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey.
Blue Mosque exterior with minarets and domes, Istanbul skyline and Bosphorus in background.
Blue Mosque interior with ornate domes and intricate patterns, Istanbul.

Duration

3 hr - 4 hr

Open today

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Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

4.3/5

(1,410)

Colin Buggey

Colin

Oct 2025
Verified booking
4/5
The tour itself was enjoyable. The guide was very knowledgeable and his English was good. However the organisation was poor. As requested, we arrived 15 minutes before the scheduled start time but the tour didn't actually begin until almost an hour later. As the first part of the tour consisted of a rather long section covering the history of Turkey, there was too much standing around. This could be a serious issue on a hot day, or for anyone who is not young & fit. Once we got going the mosque visits were excellent and it was great to miss the queues. The guide had genuine enthusiasm and really brought the history and architecture alive. So on balance a 5 star tour but with only 2 or 3 star organisation.
Regina Timoftica

Regina

Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
We were lucky enough to take a tour with tour guide Ali and it was an unforgettable experience! 🌟 She took us to visit three really picturesque places, telling us trivia and details that we would never have discovered on our own. Her helpfulness, kindness and professionalism made the day special. A big plus was the fact that we skipped the line-a detail that made everything more enjoyable and stress-free. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to experience an authentic, well-organized and carefree visit. 👏👏
Marina Zawaher

Marina

Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
We joined a four-hour guided tour around the main highlights of Sultanahmet, and it was a wonderful experience. Despite the large crowds, the tour was concise, well-structured, and very informative — the perfect introduction to the area’s rich history. Special thanks to our guide, Buse, who was absolutely fantastic! She has such a dynamic personality, great energy, and an engaging way of explaining everything. Her enthusiasm and clarity made the whole experience so enjoyable and memorable. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Istanbul for the first time!
    • Skip the lines and explore the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia with one ticket and stories from an expert guide.

    • 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 depths with a guided tour of Basilica Cistern’s eerie forest of columns, where carp swim beneath glowing arches.

    • 1.5-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia

    • Skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia visiting area

    • Expert licensed English-speaking guide

    • 1-hour guided tour of Blue Mosque with entry

    • 30-min Hippodrome & Old Town walking tour

    • Istanbul Old Town map

    • 30-min guided tour of Basilica Cistern with skip-the-line entry (based on option selected)

  • Blue Mosque

    1. Blue Mosque

    Tickets included
    60 min
    Istanbul Old Town

    2. Istanbul Old Town

    30 min
    Hagia Sophia

    3. Hagia Sophia

    Tickets included
    90 min
    Basilica Cistern

    4. Basilica Cistern

    Tickets included (based on selection)
    30 min
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

  • 4.3
    1,410 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

    834
    337
    105
    49
    85
    Guests from United States, Italy, United Kingdom and over 10 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Andres Marcelo Martinez Romero

    Andres

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    This guided tour was absolutely worth it. Our guide was knowledgeable, patient, and passionate about the history of both the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. They explained everything clearly, from the architecture to the cultural and religious significance, and answered everyone’s questions without rushing.
    Francesca Aslan

    Francesca

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    The professionalism of our guide, Ali . Very well organized tour, the guide was always present and helpful. Absolutely recommended
    Hans Dick Terhenne

    Hans

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Great tour with Alex , inspire of large group. Took his time to show and explain special places. Fabulous amount of history and great places.
    Colin Buggey

    Colin

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    4/5
    The tour itself was enjoyable. The guide was very knowledgeable and his English was good. However the organisation was poor. As requested, we arrived 15 minutes before the scheduled start time but the tour didn't actually begin until almost an hour later. As the first part of the tour consisted of a rather long section covering the history of Turkey, there was too much standing around. This could be a serious issue on a hot day, or for anyone who is not young & fit. Once we got going the mosque visits were excellent and it was great to miss the queues. The guide had genuine enthusiasm and really brought the history and architecture alive. So on balance a 5 star tour but with only 2 or 3 star organisation.
    Marina Zawaher

    Marina

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    We joined a four-hour guided tour around the main highlights of Sultanahmet, and it was a wonderful experience. Despite the large crowds, the tour was concise, well-structured, and very informative — the perfect introduction to the area’s rich history. Special thanks to our guide, Buse, who was absolutely fantastic! She has such a dynamic personality, great energy, and an engaging way of explaining everything. Her enthusiasm and clarity made the whole experience so enjoyable and memorable. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Istanbul for the first time!
  • 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.

  • Hagia Sophia

    Monday09:00am - 07:30pm
    Tuesday09:00am - 07:30pm
    Wednesday09:00am - 07:30pm
    Thursday09:00am - 07:30pm
    Friday09:00am - 07:30pm
    Saturday09:00am - 07:30pm
    Sunday09:00am - 07:30pm

    Blue Mosque

    Monday09:00am - 06:00pm
    Tuesday09:00am - 06:00pm
    Wednesday09:00am - 06:00pm
    Thursday09:00am - 06:00pm
    Friday09:00am - 06:00pm
    Saturday09:00am - 06:00pm
    Sunday09:00am - 06:00pm

    Hagia Sophia History Museum

    Monday09:00am - 07:00pm
    Tuesday09:00am - 07:00pm
    Wednesday09:00am - 07:00pm
    Thursday09:00am - 07:00pm
    Friday09:00am - 07:00pm
    Saturday09:00am - 07:00pm
    Sunday09:00am - 07:00pm
  • 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

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