ISTANBUL · TÜRKIYE
Hagia Sophia
Stop 01 of 18 on Travelhour's Istanbul walking day
About Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia, officially the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, is a mosque and a major cultural and historical site in Istanbul, Turkey. It was formerly a church (360–1453) and a museum (1935–2020). The last of three church buildings to be successively erected on the site by the Eastern Roman Empire, it was completed in AD 537, becoming the world's largest interior space and among the first to employ a fully pendentive dome. It is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and is said to have "changed the history of architecture". From its dedication in 360 until 1453, Hagia Sophia served as the cathedral of Constantinople in the Byzantine liturgical tradition, except for the period 1204–1261 when the Latin Crusaders installed their own hierarchy. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, it served as a mosque, having its minarets added soon after. The site became a museum in 1935, and was redesignated as a mosque in 2020.
Frequently asked
Hagia Sophia — questions travellers ask
- How much are Hagia Sophia tickets?
- Hagia Sophia ticket prices vary by season and age group; check the official site or use the booking partners linked on this page for current live pricing.
- What are Hagia Sophia opening hours?
- Opening hours vary by season — check the official Hagia Sophia website before your visit for the current schedule.
- How do you get to Hagia Sophia?
- Hagia Sophia is centrally located in Istanbul, Türkiye. Reach it by metro, tram or a short taxi ride from the city centre — see the Google Maps link on this page for exact walking directions.
- Is Hagia Sophia worth visiting?
- Yes — Hagia Sophia, officially the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, is a mosque and a major cultural and historical site in Istanbul, Turkey.
- How long do you need at Hagia Sophia?
- Most visitors spend 1–2 hours at Hagia Sophia, though tour groups often move through in under an hour.
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ISTANBUL
Hagia Sophia