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Guided Tours

Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets

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Skip the lines and explore Hagia Sophia's splendours with an expert guide. Delve into its rich past with an audio guide in 23 languages!

Highlights

Enjoy fast-tracked entry and learn everything you can about Hagia Sophia, with a 1hr guided tour and a self-paced audio-guided tour.
Learn from a seasoned historian about Hagia Sophia, including its fascinating past as a church, then a mosque, and a world record holder.
Equipped with the knowledge you gathered from your guide, explore at your pace, with an audio guide available in 23 languages.
You'll be clicking away like there's no tomorrow: enjoy spectacular views by heading to the visitor's area on the second floor.
Fun fact: For over 1000 years, Hagia Sophia held the title of the world's largest dome (31-meters).

Inclusions

1-hour expert historian guide in English
Self-paced exploration after guided tour
Entry ticket to the Hagia Sophia visitors area
Audio guide app in 23 languages

Cancellation policy

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

Ratings & Reviews

4.2

2.7K Ratings

5/5

1.8K

4/5

399

3/5

117

2/5

1/5

349

Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Spain and over 45 countries have loved this experience

Berkant

4/5

Apr, 2024

Interesting,informative and fun experience. The tour guide was very humorous and open to questions. The skip the line part was also amazing,as we just passed through the very long line of people waiting to buy tickets.

Anton

5/5

Apr, 2024

A lot of Information about the history of the Hagia Sophia and things which vanished and things which are still visible!

Shilpi

5/5

Apr, 2024

Even though our entry was delayed to the President's visit, the wait was worth it. The experience of getting inside, having the space to view the mosque and the peace inside was the recipe of a great experience.

Jeannette

3/5

Apr, 2024

The guide was very good but it was a busy day and the security queue was very long - coupled with the fact that the Turkish president was due to attend that day it meant that it was not certain we would gain entry. In the end we got in but other than the building itself there was little information inside to look at. Paying attention to the guide was difficult as we shuffled along the queue and he was frequently interrupted.

Nora

3/5

Mar, 2024

I would have loved the tour to be a bit longer and was somewhat disappointed how short it was and that the guide couldn't come with us into the mosque. I know that this is due to official guidelines but I would have loved to still learn a bit more about the history of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia

Your experience

Hagia Sophia, how historians see it

Fuel up at the Dsign Cafe, located quite near Hagia Sophia while you wait for your expert guide to join you. Eager as they are, and with so much to tell you, be prepared to start learning everything right from the get-go. Skip the lines and go straight in with your guide. In an hour, explore every nook and corner of Hagia Sophia and fall in love with it the way a historian does, knowing why they revere it so much. Learn exactly how this iconic mosque used to be a Greek Orthodox Cathedral once, and then a Roman Catholic Cathedral.

Take your time

With all the tidbits of knowledge you gathered from your guide, go back and see it all again and gain new perspectives. Oh, and you're not alone. To refresh your memory and gather more details, tune in to the audio guide app, available in 23 languages. Watch out for thrilling tales of hidden art that resurfaced when Hagia Sophia became the beautiful museum that it is. Treat yourself to some great views from the visitors' area for spending a day learning so much.

Know before you go

What to bring

Bring your headphones or rent a pair for 100TRY. Make sure your smartphone and headphones are charged.
Women should cover their hair partially with a scarf. You can buy clothes and scarves at the entrance.

What's not allowed

Hagia Sophia does not permit knee-length shorts, skirts, or clothing with exposed shoulders or chests.

Accessibility

This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Additional information

Safety comes first, always. The mandatory security check at the entrance might take a bit long, but its worth the wait.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly. You need not print your voucher.
Please display your voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID to your host who will escort you.
Please ensure that you arrive 30 minutes before the start time of your tour to check-in.

Meeting Point

Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.

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