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Landmark · Istanbul

Hagia Sophia Tickets & Guide 2026 | Istanbul Visitor Tips

Hagia Sophia in Istanbul with its great dome and four minarets under a clear sky
Photo: Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

By Emma · Updated · 2 min read

TL;DR
  • It is a working mosque, so visitor access pauses around prayer times
  • Foreign visitors pay to enter via the upper galleries
  • Cover shoulders and knees; women also need a headscarf
  • Go early in the morning, ideally not on a Friday
Type
Landmark
Where
Istanbul
Time needed
1-1.5 hours
Admission
about €25 for foreign visitors (2026), check current prices

Completed in AD 537 under the Byzantine emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia was the largest church in the world for nearly a thousand years. After the Ottoman conquest in 1453 it became a mosque, then a museum in 1934, and in 2020 it was converted back into a mosque. Its 31m-wide dome, floating above a ring of windows, still astonishes. It is the essential first stop in Istanbul.

What you'll see

Since 2024, foreign visitors follow a separate route from worshippers. You enter through the outer narthex and a small exhibition about the building's history, then climb the ramp to the upper galleries, which look down into the vast domed space.

Highlights include:

  • The Deësis mosaic, a 13th-century image of Christ flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist, among the finest Byzantine art anywhere.
  • The Empress Zoe and Komnenos mosaics in the south gallery.
  • The great dome, the huge Ottoman calligraphy roundels and the marble columns brought from across the empire.

The ground floor prayer area is reserved for worshippers, so tourists see it from above.

Practical information

  • Tickets: foreign visitors pay about €25 in 2026 for the gallery route; worshippers enter free. Buy at the entrance or online through official channels and check current prices.
  • Prayer times: visitor access is suspended around the five daily prayers, and for longer on Fridays around midday prayers. Plan for some waiting.
  • Dress code: shoulders and knees covered; women must cover their hair. Scarves are often available at the entrance.
  • Getting there: Sultanahmet tram stop (T1 line) is a few minutes' walk away.
  • Best time to go: shortly after opening, before the tour groups. Avoid Friday lunchtime.

The Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace are all within a few minutes' walk, so you can cover the highlights of Sultanahmet in one long day.

For more on planning a trip, see our Turkey guide.

Where is Hagia Sophia?

Open in OpenStreetMap · 41.00833, 28.98000

Frequently asked questions

Is Hagia Sophia free to visit?

Not for tourists. Since 2024, foreign visitors pay an entry fee and follow a dedicated route through the upper galleries.

Can non-Muslims visit Hagia Sophia?

Yes, everyone is welcome outside prayer times, as long as they dress modestly and behave respectfully.

How long does a visit take?

About an hour inside, but allow extra time for queues and prayer-time closures.

Written by

Emma City breaks & deals editor

Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.

More from Emma

Opening times and ticket prices change often; check the official website shortly before you visit.