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Audio guide
4.4/5
(7,559)
Michael
Simeon
Patrick
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Skip the ticketing lines and step straight into Hagia Sophia’s breathtaking mix of Christian mosaics and Ottoman elegance, with a multilingual audio guide.
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No waiting! Wander under the 56-meter-high dome, admire the shimmering Deësis mosaic of Christ, and trace the calligraphic medallions.
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Enhance your experience with options like a guided tour with an expert, skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern, audio guides for other top sites, guided tours of the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and Old Town, plus a map of Istanbul’s historic wonders.
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Skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia
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Multilingual audio guide (based on option selected)
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1/1.5-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia (based on option selected)
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Expert English-speaking guide (based on option selected)
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Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern (based on option selected)
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Multilingual audio guide for Basilica Cistern (based on option selected)
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1-hour guided tour of the Blue Mosque with entry (based on option selected)
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30-min guided tour of the Basilica Cistern (based on option selected)
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30-min Hippodrome & Old Town walking tour (based on option selected)
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Istanbul Old Town map (based on option selected)
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- Skip the security line
These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
- 7,559 reviews4.4
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.
5K1.4K448232383Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Italy and over 10 countries have loved this experienceWhat our guests say
Caitlin
Oct 2025Verified booking5/5
Michael
Oct 2025Verified booking5/5
Albert
Oct 2025Verified booking4/5Andres
Oct 2025Verified booking5/5Francesca
Oct 2025Verified booking5/5
Unlock Hagia Sophia’s secrets
Skip the ticketing line and step straight into Hagia Sophia, where your audio guide unlocks stories hidden in the marble. Learn how the mihrab points to Mecca, contrasting with the Christian mosaics of the Virgin and Child in the apse. Find the marble jars from Pergamon, once used to hold oil for ceremonial lamps, and explore the upper gallery’s marble balustrades that separated clergy from laity. Listen as you walk past the weeping column, whose moist surface is said to grant wishes to those who touch it.
Upgrade for Istanbul’s wonders
Enhance your visit by joining a guided tour led by an English-speaking expert who takes you beyond the audio guide, diving into the lesser-known details of Hagia Sophia’s layered past. Skip the ticket queues at the Basilica Cistern, a space where Medusa heads hold up ancient columns. Or, choose a guided tour of the Blue Mosque, where blue Iznik tiles adorn the walls beneath six minarets. Other options include a 30-minute Hippodrome and Old Town walking tour and a detailed map to help you explore Istanbul’s historic quarter.
What to bring
- Don't forget to carry your own headphones to listen to the audio guide.
What's not allowed
- The prayer area on the first floor can only be entered by Turkish citizens.
Accessibility
- This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Additional information
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During peak seasons, lines may form at security checkpoints. Your ticket does not grant priority access through the security check lines. In the high season (June to August), it might take up to 30 minutes to get in.
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Modest attire is required: women should cover shoulders, chest, and hair with a scarf, and avoid knee-length skirts or shorts; men should also avoid sleeveless tops and shorts—scarves and cover-ups are available for purchase at the entrance.
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Internet access at the venue is limited, so download the audioguide in advance to ensure smooth access during your visit.
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Hagia Sophia is under renovation; therefore, not all parts of the building are open to the public.
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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.
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This ticket gives you access to the visiting area and upper gallery, not the prayer area downstairs.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.
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Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.
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