Hagia Sophia: Under the Glowing Pendentive Domes
Address
Sultan Ahmet, 34122 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
Suggested Duration
1-1.5 hours
From
25 EUR
Skip the Line
Fast-track entry, included with the Museum Pass
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Free cancellation up to 24h before
Reserve now, pay later
Forget the two-hour line in the Turkish sun and walk directly under the glowing pendentive domes of Hagia Sophia, shafts of light catching gold mosaics that have survived empires. Not many buildings on the planet have this much history in one room.
Highlights
- Stand directly beneath a dome that was the world's largest for almost a millennium
- Trace Byzantine gold mosaics that survived centuries of mosque, museum, and mosque again
- Sense the scale that led Justinian, upon completion, to declare he had surpassed Solomon's temple
Included / Excluded
- Entry to main hall and upper gallery
- Access to the marble Weeping Column
- Headscarves and robes (bring your own or rent on entry)
- Live guide (self-guided unless you have booked a tour with a guide)
Good to Know
- Sightseeing visitors are temporarily excluded from parts of the main floor for prayer times, five times a day
- You may need free shoe covers or bag storage in prayer areas
- The best-preserved mosaics are in the upper gallery, reached by a sloped stone ramp
Available languages: Turkish, English, German, French, Spanish, Arabic
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to wear a headscarf in Hagia Sophia?
Yes, as an active mosque, women should bring a headscarf and all visitors should dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered.
What's the best time to go if I want to avoid crowds?
Come at opening at 09:00, or in the last hour before close. The longest queues are at noon.
Does Hagia Sophia charge an entrance ticket?
The prayer areas are open to worshippers, but there is an entrance fee for international visitors to the main hall and upper gallery, which is what the ticket price above is for.
How does Hagia Sophia compare to the neighboring Blue Mosque?
Hagia Sophia is older, ticketed, and has Byzantine mosaics. The Blue Mosque is still a working mosque, is known for its blue Iznik tilework, and is free to enter.
