Hagia Sophia & Topkapi Palace Tickets + Audio Guide

KTLY708962

Istanbul, Turkey

Free Cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours before departure

About this tour

This combo ticket gets you into two of Istanbul's most famous sites, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, with a self-guided audio tour you play right on your phone. At Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine cathedral that's now an active mosque, you'll walk the Upper Gallery beneath the great central dome and see Christian mosaics sitting alongside Islamic calligraphy. Because it's a working mosque, plan to dress modestly and time your visit around the daily prayers. Budget an hour or two to take it all in.

Highlights

See where Byzantine and Ottoman architecture meet, built up over nearly 1,500 years
Stand under the enormous central dome, a feat of engineering that was centuries ahead of its time
Spot ancient Christian mosaics and Islamic calligraphy sharing the same walls
Feel the atmosphere of a working mosque that still welcomes worshippers and visitors together

Places You Will Visit

Open map

Included / Excluded

Topkapi Palace admission ticket
Hagia Sophia admission ticket
Audio guide on your own smartphone

Planning Your Visit to Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia is open every day from 09:00 to 19:00, with last entry at 18:30. Because it's an active mosque, visiting hours work around the five daily Islamic prayers, and the building closes fully to tourists during each one, usually for about 75 to 90 minutes. The longest closure is Friday from 12:30 to 14:30 for the main weekly prayer, so it's worth timing your arrival for outside those windows.

A modest dress code applies to everyone. Women should wear a skirt at knee length or longer, or full-length trousers, keep shoulders and arms covered, and wear a headscarf inside the mosque. Men need full-length trousers or knee-length shorts, and sleeveless shirts aren't allowed. The rules are relaxed for children under eight.

Weather in Istanbul

Today 74°F23°C 60°F16°C Rain 88%

Tomorrow 67°F20°C 57°F14°C Rain 13%

Sun, Oct 25 71°F22°C 58°F14°C Rain 0%

Mon, Oct 26 66°F19°C 61°F16°C Rain 9%

Tue, Oct 27 63°F17°C 59°F15°C Rain 38%

Wed, Oct 28 61°F16°C 53°F12°C Rain 34%

Thu, Oct 29 60°F16°C 51°F11°C Rain 35%

Local time 9:06 AM, UTC+03:00

Available Days / Times

Monday : All day
Tuesday
Wednesday : All day
Thursday : All day
Friday : All day
Saturday : All day
Sunday : All day

Last updated: Oct 23, 2026

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Important Information

Hagia Sophia is a working mosque, so dress respectfully (see dress code)
Tickets cover the Upper Gallery visitor area; the ground-floor prayer hall is for worshippers and not part of the visit
Closed to tourists during the five daily prayers and Friday's main prayer, so plan around those times
Entry includes a security check; expect up to a 60-minute wait in peak season (June to August)
Allow at least 1 to 2 hours to see the architecture and mosaics properly
An audio guide or guided tour is worth having for the history and symbolism behind what you're seeing
Ongoing restoration means parts of the interior may be behind scaffolding
A combo ticket saves time and money at nearby sites like the Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace
Cover your shoulders and knees (see dress code)
Take your shoes off before the prayer area; use the racks provided or carry them in a small plastic bag
Keep quiet and respectful inside the mosque
Photos are usually fine, but no flash
Follow directions from mosque staff and guides

FAQs

What is Hagia Sophia?

It's one of Istanbul's most recognizable landmarks, built first as a Byzantine cathedral, later turned into an imperial mosque, and today functioning as both an active mosque and a historic monument. It's famous for its huge dome and the mix of Christian and Islamic design under one roof.

When was Hagia Sophia built?

It was built between 532 and 537 AD under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. When it was finished, it was the largest cathedral in the world.

Who built Hagia Sophia?

It was commissioned by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I as the main cathedral of Constantinople and a statement of imperial power.

Who designed Hagia Sophia?

Two scholars and architects, Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus, designed it. Their engineering of the dome was groundbreaking for the era.

What does Hagia Sophia mean?

The name is Greek for "Holy Wisdom." It refers to divine wisdom, not a particular saint.

Why is Hagia Sophia important?

It matters for its engineering, its long history, and its symbolism, having served as cathedral, mosque, museum, and mosque again. Its dome shaped church and mosque design for centuries across both the Christian and Islamic worlds.

Where is Hagia Sophia located?

It's in Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet district, right across from the Blue Mosque and a short walk from the Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace.

Is Hagia Sophia free to visit?

The main prayer hall is free for Muslim worshippers attending prayer, since it's an active mosque. The visitor areas, including the Upper Gallery, need a ticket, and you can compare verified ticket options and deals for those areas on this page.

Where can I buy Hagia Sophia tickets?

You can buy tickets for the visitor areas online or on-site, subject to availability. Booking online through this page lets you compare verified options, check what's included, and find current deals, which helps a lot during busy periods.

How do you pronounce Hagia Sophia?

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