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— Monument
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is a sixth-century domed monument in Istanbul's Sultanahmet district, built as a cathedral, converted to a mosque, and now functioning as a mosque again after a period as a museum.
Last updated: July 2026
Read time: 3 min
Location
Sultanahmet
Hours
09:00–19:00 (Apr–Oct)
09:00–17:00 (Nov–Mar)
Last entry: 1 hour before closing
Ticket price
from $28
Typical visit
1–1.5 hours
Nearest transport
Sultanahmet tram stop
Why visit Hagia Sophia?
Completed in 537 under the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia held the record as the world’s largest interior space for nearly a thousand years. Its central dome spans 31 metres and appears to float — an effect created by the ring of forty windows at its base, which floods the interior with light and disguises the masonry carrying the weight. What makes it unusual is the layering: Byzantine gold mosaics of Christ and the Virgin sit metres away from vast Ottoman calligraphic roundels naming Allah and the Prophet. Neither was removed when the building changed hands, and the result is a single interior holding two religious traditions in plain view of each other. The marble floor still shows the worn spot where Byzantine emperors were crowned.
Interesting Facts
- The dome spans 31 metres and rests on forty windows, which makes it appear to float.
- It held the title of world’s largest interior space for close to a thousand years.
- Byzantine Christian mosaics and Ottoman calligraphic roundels share the same wall, neither removed.
What should I know before visiting?
- Arrive at opening or in the last hour before closing — mid-morning brings the largest tour groups.
- It is an active mosque, so shoulders and knees should be covered; women need a headscarf, and free ones are available at the entrance.
- The building closes to visitors during the five daily prayer times, and for longer on Friday afternoons.
- Photography is allowed, but tripods are not.
- The upper gallery holds the best-preserved mosaics and is reached by a sloped stone ramp rather than stairs.
How much are tickets and what are the hours?
Entry for foreign visitors runs around $28 for the upper gallery section, with the ground-floor prayer hall free to enter outside prayer times. Hours are roughly 09:00–19:00 in summer and 09:00–17:00 in winter. Prices are set by the Ministry of Culture and change periodically — check the official site close to your visit.
How do I get to Hagia Sophia from Istanbul center?
Take the T1 tram to Sultanahmet; the building is a two-minute walk from the stop and impossible to miss. From Taksim, take the F1 funicular to Kabataş and change to the T1 tram — about 25 minutes in total.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ground-floor prayer hall is free outside prayer times. The upper gallery, where the Byzantine mosaics are, requires a ticket for foreign visitors.
Most visitors spend an hour to ninety minutes, which is enough to see the main hall, the gallery mosaics, and the imperial door.
Yes — it operates as a mosque, and headscarves are provided free at the entrance if you do not have one.
Book skip-the-line tickets
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