Guided Tours

Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets

Hagia Sophia with minarets under clear blue sky in Istanbul.

Imperial Gate of Hagia Sophia with interior view, Istanbul, Turkey.

Visitors on a guided tour inside Hagia Sophia, Istanbul.

Tour guide explaining mosaics to visitors inside Hagia Sophia, Istanbul.

Duration

1 hr - 2 hr 30 min

Open today

Free cancellation

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

Book now, pay later

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

Guided tour

4.5/5

(2,944)

Anastasiia

Dec 2025

Verified booking

Check points, free small audio guides. But the walky-talkie was bad, we heard a lot of extra noise on the background. In information pdf the information about shoeless entry to buildings is missing. Otherwise all was really great. We enjoyed the tour and it was nice to see that part of city. Tour guide was nice.

Simeon

Oct 2025

Verified booking

Booked this tour online while standing in the very long ticket line for Hagia Sophia, as it was mid-priced between the "ticket only" price and the "experience tour" advertised widely around the monument. Were considerably worried for the next 30 minutes because it was completely ambiguous where to actually meet, and the various local officials are all fairly dismissive (tired and fed up). But, to be fair, I did then receive a Whatsapp message after 30 minutes that was detailed and effective. Once we joined the tour we still had to join the security line, which thankfully was moving quickly by then! Ths guide was great, his english was good, the little extra was definitely worth it for the history and insight provided.

Cosimo

Oct 2025

Verified booking

Guided tour of Hagia Sophia was truly an interesting experience. Following the tour accompanied by a local guide who is knowledgeable about the history of the Hagia Sophia and in general, it is essential to contextualize the origin, evolutionary developments and changes over time that this monument has undergone. I certainly could not observe all the details inside the Basilica and learn about its features without the guide. Experience to be had, fascinating.

Do away with long lines and experience Hagia Sophia's rich cultural heritage on a one-hour guided tour led by an English-speaking guide.

Explore the Ottoman-era minbar, bronze entrance doors, and marble ramp to the upper galleries while your guide shares lesser-known stories.

Admire the stunning mosaics, towering dome, intricate calligraphy, and interiors that reflect centuries of Byzantine and Ottoman history.

Upgrade your visit with guided tours of the Blue Mosque for a well-rounded experience of Istanbul's culture and history.

Skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia

Guided tour of Hagia Sophia

Expert licensed English-speaking guide

Skip-the-line entry to Blue Mosque (as per option selected)

Guided tour of Blue Mosque (as per option selected)

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Food and drinks

Gratuities/tips

Souvenir photos

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

2,944 reviews
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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.
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Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Germany and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Benoit
Feb 2026
Verified booking
The perfect organization, the time spent visiting the sites, and above all, the guide who was passionate about the history of the places and answered questions enthusiastically.
Stefanos
Jan 2026
Verified booking
Our guide, Buse, was very good! Very communicative, and well prepared. She gave all historical information but also made with experience feel a lot about the present, which helped me a lot to connect. I would definitely recommend her!
Anastasiia
Dec 2025
Verified booking
Check points, free small audio guides. But the walky-talkie was bad, we heard a lot of extra noise on the background. In information pdf the information about shoeless entry to buildings is missing. Otherwise all was really great. We enjoyed the tour and it was nice to see that part of city. Tour guide was nice.
Georgios
Dec 2025
Verified booking
The guide was very polite and had a lot of information about Ayia Sofia. A truly inspiring trip, it is worth it visiting!
Georgios
Dec 2025
Verified booking
Loved the guy and he managed to give very nice insights in a timely manner

Step inside one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks with fast-track entry and explore its rich history on a guided tour.

Getting started

Head to the Hagia Sophia entrance to have your tickets checked. If needed, stop to purchase scarves before entering the mosque. Once ready, meet your guide and join your tour group to begin exploring.

What to expect

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia has stood for centuries as a symbol of Istanbul’s cultural and architectural heritage. With its soaring dome, intricate mosaics, and Ottoman-era minbar, it is one of the most revered sites in Turkey.

Features

Architectural marvels: Walk the marble ramps, explore the upper galleries, and see the Weeping Column that has captivated visitors for generations.

Mosaics and interiors: Admire the Iznik tiles, the Deësis mosaic and other artworks that reflect the building’s long and varied history.

Historical layers: Learn how Hagia Sophia evolved from a Byzantine Basilica to a mosque and remains a key cultural landmark today.

Extras

Enhance your visit with guided tours of the Blue Mosque for a deeper insight into Istanbul’s history and culture.

Basilica Cistern

Monday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Tuesday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Wednesday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Thursday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Friday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Saturday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm
Sunday	9:00am - 10:00pm	last entry 6:30pm

Hagia Sophia

Monday	9:00am - 7:30pm
Tuesday	9:00am - 7:30pm
Wednesday	9:00am - 7:30pm
Thursday	9:00am - 7:30pm
Friday	9:00am - 7:30pm
Saturday	9:00am - 7:30pm
Sunday	9:00am - 7:30pm

Hagia Sophia History Museum

Monday	9:00am - 7:00pm
Tuesday	9:00am - 7:00pm
Wednesday	9:00am - 7:00pm
Thursday	9:00am - 7:00pm
Friday	9:00am - 7:00pm
Saturday	9:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday	9:00am - 7:00pm

What to bring

Dress modestly and bring scarves or cover-ups to use before entering the mosque.

What's not allowed

Large bags, backpacks, and tripods are not permitted.

Food and drinks are not allowed inside.

Flash photography and tripods are not allowed.

Accessibility

Hagia Sophia is partially wheelchair accessible with ramps and special access to the ground floor only. The upper floor is not accessible.

Additional information

Due to ongoing renovations, certain sections of the interiors may be obstructed by scaffolding.

Women must cover their hair, shoulders, and knees, while men must cover their shoulders and knees. Scarves and cover-ups are available at the entrance.

You can bypass the ticket lines, but security checks are mandatory. Security lines may take up to 30 minutes and up to 60 minutes during peak season (June to August).

The ground floor is designated for prayers, while the second floor is open to visitors.

During the five daily prayers, certain areas are restricted to tourists. Hagia Sophia is closed on Fridays from noon to 2:30 pm for the Friday prayer.

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.