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Hagia Sophia Skip-the-Line Tickets

Imperial Gate of Hagia Sophia with interior view, Istanbul, Turkey.
Interior view of Hagia Sophia's dome and arches in Istanbul, showcasing intricate mosaics and calligraphy.
Visitors taking a selfie inside Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, with ornate interior details.
Interior view of Hagia Sophia with visitors exploring the historic architecture in Istanbul.

Open today

09:00am - 07:30pm

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Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

4.4/5

(7,250)

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. 👏👏
Lina Bruzaite

Lina

Aug 2025
Verified booking
4/5
The guide tried to tell you the important things. But the distraction of the guide was annoying. When he wants to show the photos, he goes on and on and on, then decides that it's not the right album after all. Search, search, search again. And so on, several times. I felt that the guide could have been more prepared in advance. He told us the basics, which you can just read on the internet. And the sound of the headphones was really disturbing. The volume was very high, and when I adjusted and tried to reduce it, it would either turn off or get too loud. The experience was average.
Gavrila Iuliana-Maria

Gavrila

Jul 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The tour was amazing, detailed and it also included much needed breaks for water, coffee or just resting a bit. The crowds were ok for this time of year, not too many people, but either way, there was more than enough time to visit and see everything there was to see. It was really nice that we got to visit during one of the prayer times and saw a glimpse of what it means, with the full explanation from our guide. Be warned: you need to walk a lot, as is to be expecteeld, but I totally recommend this tour
    • Skip the ticketing lines and step straight into Hagia Sophia’s breathtaking mix of Christian mosaics and Ottoman elegance, with a multilingual audio guide.

    • No waiting! Wander under the 56-meter-high dome, admire the shimmering Deësis mosaic of Christ, and trace the calligraphic medallions.

    • 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.

    • Skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia

    • Multilingual audio guide (based on option selected)

    • 1/1.5-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia (based on option selected)

    • Expert English-speaking guide (based on option selected)

    • Skip-the-line entry to Basilica Cistern (based on option selected)

    • Multilingual audio guide for Basilica Cistern (based on option selected)

    • 1-hour guided tour of the Blue Mosque with entry (based on option selected)

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

    • 30-min Hippodrome & Old Town walking tour (based on option selected)

    • Istanbul Old Town map (based on option selected)

    • Skip the security line
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

  • How do we collect reviews?

    4.4
    7,250 ratings
    5/5
    4.8K
    4/5
    1.4K
    3/5
    416
    2/5
    214
    1/5
    351
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    Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Italy and over 78 countries have loved this experience

    Samantha  Patterson

    Samantha

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Organized and highly informative... easy to meet the group and see all three sites. Small group.. remember to bring a scarf for your head (ladies) and cover your knees (both men and women) otherwise you have to buy a scarf or skirt. We had a break in the middle for a quick juice or gelato. Great tour.
    Mateja Logar

    Mateja

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    It was a very interesting and entertaining vist to all thre monuments Our guide (Arthur) was very knowlagable, he gave us a lot of information, and was able to navigate us quickly inside all the attractions
    Hannah Doran

    Hannah

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    The Cistern is truly beautiful. Well worth a visit and the ability to just walk straight in was ideal. We went late morning/early afternoon and were not swamped by the crowds.
    Diana Bustamante

    Diana

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    There was really no line at all. We were immediately inside. The place is awesome. The lights changing colours are beautiful. The shadows of Medusa were great. Wonderful experience
    Lynette G Babilonia

    Lynette

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Ticketing was easy, Blue Mosque was beautiful, and our tour guide was excellent. Cenker was very knowledgeable, fun, lively and very accommodating.
  • 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.

  • 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
  • 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.

    • This ticket gives you access to the visiting area and upper gallery, not the prayer area downstairs

    • 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, it might take up to 30 minutes to get in.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

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

    • Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.

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