Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets

Your Experience

Your experience

The world of emperors and sultans

Skip the ticket lines and join a licensed English-speaking guide for a one-hour journey through Hagia Sophia. You’ll hear how the building’s massive dome survived centuries of earthquakes, see the marble omphalos where emperors were crowned, and learn about the hidden prayer niches that reveal its past as both a church and a mosque. The tour also uncovers the ancient library that once held sacred texts and the stone floor grooves worn by thousands of worshippers over the centuries, making this a deep dive into the building’s history.

Enhance your Hagia Sophia adventure

Want more? Get upgrades that let you join guided tours of the Blue Mosque, where the mihrab and minbar frame the prayer hall, and the Basilica Cistern, where Medusa’s head supports ancient columns in an underground water wonderland. Add skip-the-line entry and a tour of Topkapi Palace to see the imperial treasury and the Harem’s private quarters. Round out your experience with a multilingual audio guide, headsets for crystal-clear commentary, a detailed Istanbul Old Town map, and a short Hippodrome and Old Town walking tour to complete your journey.