• Istanbul Classics Half Day Morning Tour

    Istanbul Classics Half Day Morning Tour

    Visit Istanbul’s must-see sites on this 4 hour small-group walking tour of the city. With an expert guide at your side explaining Istanbul’s contrasting cultures and history, you’ll explore Hagia Sophia, German Fountain, Hippodrome of Constantinople and the famous Blue Mosque.Numbers are limited to 12 on this small-group Istanbul walking tour, ensuring you’ll see the…

  • Istanbul Shore Excursion

    Istanbul Shore Excursion

    Specially designed for Cruisers. It is a Private Tour. Visit the highlights of Istanbul with an expert Professional Guide. Skip the ticket lines and do not stuck in traffic by using Tram just outside of the port.Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. Topkapi Palace will be replaced with…

  • 5 Days Istanbul Package Tour

    5 Days Istanbul Package Tour

    5 Days and 4 Nights Istanbul Package Holiday.Explore best of Istanbul. Visiting to Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Spice Bazaar. Cruise along the Bosphorus.

  • Istanbul Sightseeing Walking Tour

    Istanbul Sightseeing Walking Tour

    The former capital of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul is a vibrant city filled with magnificent architecture and a rich history as the bridge between east and west. Perfect for first-time visitors, this in-depth guided walking tour covers the main attractions while also venturing to hard-to-find secret spots. Leave the navigation to your guide, who also…

  • Antalya, Cappadocia and Istanbul Tour Package

    Antalya, Cappadocia and Istanbul Tour Package

    Explore 3 most popular tourist destinations of Turkey during this fantastic 7-day tour. Visit Antalya, Cappadocia and Istanbul. Tour package includes hotel accommodation, sightseeing and guided tours.

  • Full-Day Istanbul Walking Tour with Pick Up

    Full-Day Istanbul Walking Tour with Pick Up

    It is a great chance to be in Istanbul and time to discover the historical relics of Istanbul. You will admire to the beautness of Byzantines and Ottoman Relics, a short journey to ancient civilizations.Live this amazing experience with us

  • 7 Days LUXURY GOLD ANZAC DAY TOUR 2021

    7 Days LUXURY GOLD ANZAC DAY TOUR 2021

    7 Days Luxury Gold Anzac Day 2021 tour, beginning and ending in Istanbul. On this tour package, you will explore the dizzying sights of Istanbul and be shown around the battlegrounds and memorial sites of Gallipoli, as well as attending the Anzac Day 2021 ceremonies at Anzac Cove. Also included is a tour of the…

  • Full Day Private Istanbul Tour

    Full Day Private Istanbul Tour

    Great chance to explore the unique monuments of Istanbul. The Old City ‘Sultanahmet’ having the same name of the Blue Mosque. You will cover four most famous sights in the Old City.

  • Discounted Ephesus & Istanbul Private Tour

    Discounted Ephesus & Istanbul Private Tour

    This tour contains the most popular attractions in Istanbul and Ephesus. This is the most popular tour for the cruisers that visit Ephesus and Istanbul during the same cruise.

  • “Classic Wonders” Tour

    “Classic Wonders” Tour

    Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul: no other city in the world has known so much glory under three different names. Three civilizations, three empires, three major religions. The SULTANAHMET district looks like a living museum.

  • Private İstanbul Old City Tour

    Private İstanbul Old City Tour

    Our Private excursions are on V.I.P standarts and more reasonable than cruise company excursions rate, which are designed for the larger groups. Our driver and guide are never the same person, We are giving you a profesional tour guide and a profesional driver.

  • Private tour: 12-Day Turkish Adventure Package Tour From Istanbul

    Private tour: 12-Day Turkish Adventure Package Tour From Istanbul

    You will see all of the most significant sights of Istanbul aided by an expert guide ensuring that you retain a good understanding of the History and Culture.

  • Turkey Explorer by Private Vehicle-9 Days

    Turkey Explorer by Private Vehicle-9 Days

    Explore highlights of Turkey with 9 days compact itinerary. Visit Istanbul; Where Asia meets to Euore and was the capital for 3 different empires, Canakkale (TROY); this UNESCO’s World Heritage site, wander through the ruins of the city that were rebuilt 9 times, visit the legendary Gallipoli, Pergamum; Where John wrote his letter and had…

  • 11-Day Turkey Explorer Tour from Istanbul with Sailing

    11-Day Turkey Explorer Tour from Istanbul with Sailing

    This is a customized 11 days Land tour & Blue cruise package by plane – start and end in Istanbul. This package gives you an opportunity to explore the UNESCO sights of Turkey and cruising the most beautiful turquoise bays of the Mediterranean. Visit Istanbul; where Asia meets Europe, Gallipoli; home to one of the…

  • Istanbul Private Classics Tour

    Istanbul Private Classics Tour

    With this tour you can explore Istanbul’s most visited touristic areas just for your party. You will have the chance to visit these must-see places while visiting Istanbul, accompanied by an experienced local guide. You’ll enjoy personalized attention and a flexible schedule. Museum entrance fees are not included in the tour. In this way, the…

  • 12-Day Ecological,Gastronomical Istanbul,Ankara,Tokat,Cappadocia Turkey Tour

    12-Day Ecological,Gastronomical Istanbul,Ankara,Tokat,Cappadocia Turkey Tour

    Amazing tour is starting with sight-seeing of the Ottoman Empire heritages such Topkapi Palace, Imperial Mosque in Sultanahmet followed by Byzantine structure Ancient Hippodrome in Istanbul; A visit to Tokat City that is geographically located at the intersection of the Black Sea and the Eastern Region all the way to Central Anatolia and has a…

  • Istanbul Imperial Heritage Tour

    Istanbul Imperial Heritage Tour

    Our most popular tour visiting highlights of the historic Istanbul. In one dayyou will cover the main historic sites of Istanbul in the old city. We spend a day around Blue Mosque Area visiting main places and sites accompanied by an expert guide.

  • Highlights of Istanbul

    Highlights of Istanbul

    Delve into the heart of the Old City of Istanbul on this exciting tour of some of the most beautiful landmarks and sites in the area. Istanbul always causes a striking impression and then leaves a dear lasting memory for its unparalleled mix of Western and Middle Eastern culture, being the city that bridges the…

  • 10 Days Incredıble Turkey Tour

    10 Days Incredıble Turkey Tour

    If you are looking Turkey tour with Indian meals including Jain, Veg and Non Veg, than this tour will be perfect for you in Turkey including Istanbul – Kusadasi – Ephesus – Pamukkale – Antalya, Konya & Capppadocia. This an exquisite tour for you with all the bells and whistles. There are no long bus…

  • Private Istanbul full day daily or shopping tour

    Private Istanbul full day daily or shopping tour

    Do not forget to share your wishes with us choose one to enjoy a nice city tour or shopping. Fabulous travel

  • Istanbul Tour For Two Days (Old + New Cities) – Private Basis

    Istanbul Tour For Two Days (Old + New Cities) – Private Basis

    From Istanbul’s Wonders as Hagia Sophia to The ancient echoes of Constantinople, The Hippodrome.Explore Istanbul’s Old City and New City with a Wise, Professional Tour Guide and follow the footsteps of powerful sultans, courtiers and generals at Topkapi Palace. Than, the iconic Grand Bazaar, best places to find carpets, handicrafts and local souvenirs.Feeling of veins…

  • Grand Turkey Tour

    Grand Turkey Tour

    If you have enough time to visit the most popular destinations in Turkey, then you are welcome to our Turkey Grand Tour for 14 days. Grand Turkey Tour is a mix of west and east parts of Turkey. In 14 days we will be visiting Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, Antalya, Kaş, Fethiye, Pamukkale, Efes, Kusadasi, Pergamon,…

  • Treasures Of Ancient Turkey Tour 14 Days Small Group

    Treasures Of Ancient Turkey Tour 14 Days Small Group

    Turkey hosts so many archeological and historical sites that are considered as hidden treasures of the ancient world. The country is located on two continents (Europe & Asia) and within the border of Fertile Crescent. Many settlements of great civilizations, empires and kingdoms of human history are existing side by side. When you travel within…

  • Private Istanbul Layover Tour with Pick Up

    Private Istanbul Layover Tour with Pick Up

    Waiting for your next flight but you have some time that you don’t want to spend at Istanbul International Airport? Good news! We have got you covered. Join us for tour and get to see Istanbul’s highlights and gain an insight into its history. Start your layover tour with a pickup from the airport at…

  • 12 Day Christmas Tour Turkey

    12 Day Christmas Tour Turkey

    We are proud to offer you a Great programme with Great prices for Christmas Celebrations in Turkey. We are offering you the best touristic Destinations of Turkey, the best and foremost museums of our country with informative and experienced guides, comfortable cars, Great breakfasts, lunches and dinners. We will also have some surprises for you…


Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) magnificent Hagia Sophia is a riot of swooping domes and mismatched minarets added throughout its long life. The lofty interior is a soaring sequence of domed and arched spaces, centering on the shell-like apse and the massive dome, which seems to float unsupported and gives the church its amazing sense of space. Work continues to uncover the golden Christian mosaics and colorful frescoes from the Byzantine era, which were plastered over by the Ottomans.

Tours often allow you to skip the long lines with a guide, and many Istanbul excursions combine the Hagia Sophia Museum with other sights in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet neighborhood, including the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, and Basilica Cistern.

Things to Know Before You Go

  • Hagia Sophia is a must-visit for history and architecture buffs, and all first-time visitors to Istanbul.
  • Restoration work is ongoing in the Hagia Sophia, so expect scaffolding and some obstructed views and access.
  • The best view of the lofty interior is from the upstairs gallery.
  • Save time by booking a skip-the-line tour to avoid the long lines.

How to Get There

The Hagia Sophia is in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet neighborhood, just across the way from the Blue Mosque and close to Topkapi Palace. It is minutes away from the Sultanahmet tram stop and is also easily accessible by taxi. Parking is limited in the Sultanahmet neighborhood, so taxi or tram is the most convenient option.

When to Get There

The Hagia Sophia is a busy attraction, so try to arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds. It’s open seven days a week, even during most of the major national and religious Turkish holidays, with a few exceptions. Closing hours are extended between April and October.

Art in the Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia has impressive frescoes and spectacular mosaics that depict Christian scenes. Admire the golden mosaics, including Constantine the Great presents Constantinople and Justinian the Great presents Hagia Sophia to the Virgin, probably from the 10th century, and others depicting Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Notice the colorful cherubim frescoes that the decorate the domed ceiling.