Istanbul · Sultanahmet and the old city
Hagia Sophia
The 6th century domed church, now a mosque. Foreign visitors use a separate route, pay a fee and walk the gallery level.
- 1 h 30
- Adult ticket: not confirmed
- Booking advised
- Sultanahmet and the old city
Data checked on November 2, 2026
Hagia Sophia was built for Emperor Justinian between 532 and 537 as a church, became a mosque after 1453, a museum in the 20th century and a mosque again in 2020. Since January 2024 worshippers and tourists are kept apart: foreign visitors enter through a tunnel and ramp on the south side, walk the gallery floor and leave by a ramp on the northeast side. A QR code gives audio information in 23 languages.
What to look for
- The dome and the prayer hall seen from the gallery
- Byzantine mosaics along the route
- The Paradise and Hell gate
Opening hours
Hours not confirmed. Check the official site.
No opening hours for tourist visits are published, and as a working mosque it can pause visits around prayer times. Check at the booth or on the official channels on the day.
Source: Republic of Turkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism, checked November 2, 2026
Tickets and booking
Adult ticket: not confirmed. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism set the fee for foreign visitors at 25 euros when the system started in January 2024. Confirm the amount at the booth.
Foreign visitors buy the ticket at the booth opposite the Fountain of Ahmed III. A skip-the-line ticket from a partner can save time at the booth in busy months.
Getting there
Take the T1 tram to Sultanahmet and walk across the square.
Tip
Go at opening or late in the day. Cover shoulders and knees, and expect to take your shoes off.