Hagia Sophia was completed in 537, and it is one of the world’s great buildings. It became a mosque again in 2020, and in 2024 a separate paid visitor route was introduced for tourists. Here is how a visit works now.
Hagia Sophia ticket prices (2026)
| Ticket | Price | Museum Pass? |
|---|---|---|
| Hagia Sophia tourist route (upper gallery) | €25 (~960 TL) | No |
| Hagia Sophia History & Experience Museum (next door) | €25 | Yes |
| Guided tour with skip-the-line entry | Varies by operator | No |
Prices are from hagiasophia.com and istanbul.com. The official state channel for museum tickets is muze.gov.tr. Beware of sites that resell at a heavy markup.
What you see on the visitor route
- The upper galleries hold the Deësis mosaic, the empress mosaics and close-up views of the dome.
- From above, you look down on the vast nave with its Islamic calligraphy roundels and the mihrab.
- Look for the Viking runic graffiti on a gallery balustrade.
Prayer times and the best time to visit
The visitor route pauses around each of the five daily prayers. These times move with the sun, so check a prayer-time app for the day of your visit. The Friday midday prayer causes the longest closure. Aim for the middle of a gap between prayers, ideally first thing in the morning, before the tour groups arrive. Allow 45–60 minutes inside.
Dress code
- Cover your shoulders and knees, for men and women alike.
- Women must cover their hair. Scarves are usually available at the entrance, but bring your own.
- Shoes come off if you enter the prayer areas.
Should you book a guide?
The building has almost no signs inside, so a guide or an audio guide adds a lot. Many tours combine Hagia Sophia with the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern on a half-day walk. Compare Hagia Sophia guided tours.
Combine it with nearby sights
- The Blue Mosque is opposite and free, with the same prayer-time rules.
- The Basilica Cistern is 2 minutes away and costs 1,950 TL by day.
- Topkapı Palace is behind Hagia Sophia and closed on Tuesdays. See Topkapı tickets.
More Istanbul guides
- Istanbul travel guide
- 20 best things to do in Istanbul
- Istanbul itinerary: 3, 4 or 5 days
- Where to stay in Istanbul
- Topkapı Palace tickets and the Museum Pass
- Bosphorus cruise: ferry vs tours
- Istanbul Airport to the city
- Best time to visit Istanbul
FAQ: Hagia Sophia tickets
Is Hagia Sophia free to enter?
Not for foreign tourists. The visitor route costs €25. Worshippers can enter the ground-floor prayer hall for free at prayer times.
Can you buy Hagia Sophia tickets on the day?
Yes, at the entrance, but queues can be long from April to October. An early arrival or a skip-the-line tour saves time.
Is Hagia Sophia included in the Museum Pass Istanbul?
No. The pass covers the separate History & Experience Museum next door, not the mosque’s visitor route.
Is Hagia Sophia open on Fridays?
Yes, but it closes to visitors for longer around the Friday midday prayer. Plan your Friday visit for the morning.
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