About Hagia Sophia
Built in 537 CE by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) was the world's largest cathedral for 1,000 years. Converted to a mosque in 1453 after Ottoman conquest, then a museum (1935-2020), it's now a functioning mosque again. This UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases breathtaking Byzantine architecture, stunning mosaics, and Islamic calligraphy in one extraordinary space.
⏰ Opening Hours & Best Times
- Hours: Open daily except during 5 prayer times (approximately 30-45 minutes each)
- Prayer times vary: Check daily schedule - generally closed dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset, evening
- Best time: Early morning 9-10 AM (after morning prayer, before tour groups)
- Upper gallery: Opens 9:30 AM for mosaic viewing
- Least crowded: Weekday afternoons between prayers
💰 Costs
- Admission: FREE (as it's a functioning mosque)
- Group tours: ₺500-800 (€15-25) per person with guide (1.5-2 hours)
- Private guide: ₺4,000-8,000 (€120-250) for up to 6 people (2 hours)
- Byzantine specialist: ₺6,000-10,000 (€180-300) for expert art historian
- Combined tours: ₺1,200-2,000 (€35-60) including Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern
Free entry but guides essential: Without expert narration, you'll miss the architectural genius, historical layers, and hidden mosaics that make this wonder meaningful.
🎯 Why Use a Guide
- Decode Byzantine architecture: Understand how the massive dome appears to float on light
- Find hidden mosaics: Many Christian mosaics covered but visible - guides know exactly where
- Historical context: Navigate 1,500 years from Justinian to Mehmed the Conqueror to today
- Islamic-Christian fusion: Guides explain how both traditions coexist in the space
- Skip confusion: Prayer time closures require planning - guides optimize your visit
- Upper gallery access: Easy to miss the stairs - guides ensure you see the best mosaics
✨ Don't Miss
- 🎨 Deesis mosaic: Stunning 13th-century Christ Pantocrator in upper gallery
- 🏛️ Floating dome: 31-meter dome with 40 windows creating ethereal light effect
- ✨ Imperial Door: Bronze doors used only by emperors, with Jesus mosaic above
- 🌙 Islamic features: Massive calligraphy roundels, mihrab (prayer niche), minbar (pulpit)
- 👸 Empress Zoe mosaic: Byzantine empress depicted with three different husbands (she kept replacing them)
- 💧 Wishing Column: Hole in marble column where thumb wishes come true (local legend)
- 🔔 Viking graffiti: Runic inscriptions from Varangian Guard in upper gallery
📝 Practical Tips
- Dress modestly: Shoulders, knees covered. Women should bring headscarf or use provided ones
- Remove shoes: Required as it's a mosque - bring/wear socks, shoe bags provided
- Prayer time closures: Check daily schedule online - guides plan around these
- Free but crowded: Being free means massive crowds - early morning essential
- Upper gallery stairs: Easy to miss entrance - it's in the northwest corner
- Photography allowed: No flash, be respectful during prayers
- Allow 1.5-2 hours: More if you're visiting upper gallery and exploring details
- Combine with nearby sites: Blue Mosque (5-min walk), Topkapi Palace (10-min walk)