How To Visit the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul in 2024: A Detailed Guide
Last Updated on: 25th June 2024, 10:39 am
The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Istanbul, Türkiye, is an important historical and architectural site that has served as a cathedral, mosque, and museum over its nearly 1,500 year history.
In 2020, the Hagia Sophia was re-converted by the Turkish government into a mosque, which changed some aspects for visitors including closing for prayer times. In 2024, a new entry fee was implemented which requires a ticket purchase. Here you will find detailed, up-to-date information on everything you need to visit the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in 2024!
QUICK GUIDE to Visiting the Hagia Sophia in 2024:
🕌 As of April 2024 there is an admission fee – around 25 Euros – and the lines can be long. Purchase Skip-the-Line Tickets for the best experience. Early Morning is still the best time to go!
🕌 Pay attention to Prayer Times – the Hagia Sophia is once again an active place of worship and NOT a museum, so closes multiple times a day for prayers. See below for times.
🕌 There is a strict dress code – long skirts and headcoverings for women. Please plan accordingly.
🕌Quick Access to the Hagia Sophia
✈︎Hagia Sophia Skip-the-Line Ticket (Most popular in Istanbul; Fast entry to Hagia Sofia + an audioguide!)
🛵Other Top Activities in Istanbul
✈︎Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour with Commentary (Perfect for seeing the main sights in 1 day and worrying less about transport.)
✈︎ Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table (See the Bosphorus and the majesty of Istanbul on board a mega yacht + enjoy a 3-course meal!)
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✈︎ Moonlight Elegance Boutique Hotel (Budget hotel in a central location with excellent reviews) $
✈︎ Hotel Amira Istanbul (A boutique hotel in the perfect location, rooftop terrace) $$
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History of the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul
The Hagia Sophia’s rich history spans nearly 1,500 years and multiple empires and religions.
The Hagia Sophia was originally constructed as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral in 537 AD under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, it was the world’s largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years until the completion of the Seville Cathedral in 1520.
The church was dedicated to the Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia in Greek, Sancta Sapientia in Latin), a concept central to Byzantine theology and it has retained its original name .
The Hagia Sophia was built in just five years by architects Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus, who pioneered innovative architectural techniques to create the massive dome and spacious interior. The building was constructed mainly of brick and mortar, with light and airy marble interiors.
During the Ottoman period, after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, Sultan Mehmed II ordered the cathedral to be converted into a mosque. The Ottomans added minarets, covered many of the Christian mosaics with plaster (though some remained visible), and installed large calligraphic roundels bearing the names of Allah, Muhammad, and early caliphs.
Despite these changes, much of the original Byzantine architecture and decoration remained intact, creating a unique blend of Christian and Islamic art. The Ottomans also added their own decorative elements, such as the intricate tilework, stained glass windows, and carved marble furnishings.
In 1934, under the Turkish Republic’s founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the mosque was secularized and opened as a museum in 1935. By making the mosque a museum, it allowed for the restoration of many of the Byzantine mosaics that had been plastered over during the Ottoman era.
The Hagia Sophia remained a museum until July 2020, when Turkey’s Council of State annulled the 1934 decision and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ordered it to be reopened for Islamic worship. The first Friday prayers were held on July 24, 2020, marking a new chapter in the Hagia Sophia’s long and complex history.
The change in status back to a mosque has been a source of some controversy. Supporters view it as reclaiming Turkey’s Ottoman heritage and reasserting the country’s Muslim identity. However, critics, including UNESCO and many international leaders, have expressed concerns about the preservation of the site’s multi-faith history and its status as a global cultural heritage site.
Despite these political debates, the Hagia Sophia remains an awe-inspiring place to visit, attracting millions of visitors each year. Its walls contain the legacies of medieval Christianity, the Ottoman Empire, and the modern Turkish Republic, offering a unique glimpse into centuries of art, architecture, and spirituality.
This guide will provide detailed information on how to visit the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in 2024, including current policies and admissions information. We will also cover dress code, prayer closures, and the wealth of historical and architectural highlights to see inside the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque.
I first visited the Hagia Sophia in 2019 and absolutely fell in love with this incredible spiritual monument. It’s so rare these days to see such multi-faith history so beautifully! When you go, especially do not miss the medieval mosaics!
Visit the Hagia Sophia: Entrance Fee and Ticket Information
- As of April 2024, entrance to the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque has a new entrance fee and ticket price of 850 TL or 25 Euros for anyone over the age of 8 years.
- The line at the ticket office can be long for – so consider buying a “Skip-the-Line” ticket ahead of time from GetYourGuide.
- Important: Non-Muslims are no longer allowed on much of the first floor. Most every structure and site of interest in this guide is still viewable from the balconies.
- An audio guide is available with a qr code at the entrance. *Remember to bring your headphones* or you can purchase them for 3 Euros.
- Don’t forget to purchase an esim ahead of your visit to Türkiye to faciliate easily listening to the online audioguide at the Hagia Sophia Mosque and other sites!
- Tourists should use the designated new tourist entrance gate on the park side of the building, separate from the main entrance used by worshippers. This gate is open from 9am to one hour before sunset, except during prayer times.
- No tourists are allowed inside during prayer times! See below for the times.
Buy Your Skip-the-Line Tickets before you go —>>>>
Planning Your Visit to the Hagia Sophia
- The best time to visit is early morning (9-10am) or late afternoon (4-5pm) on weekdays to avoid the largest crowds. Weekends, especially Saturdays, tend to be much busier.
- The mosque is closed to tourists five times per day for prayer, typically for 90 minutes each time. Check prayer schedules in advance as the times change throughout the year based on sunrise and sunset.
- Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. Women must cover their hair with a scarf. The mosque provides head coverings at the entrance for visitors who need one.
How to get to the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
The Hagia Sophia can be reached via the Sultanahmet tram stop on the T1 line. The mosque is a short walk (about 500 meters) from the station.
Dress Code for the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
As the Hagia Sophia is an active mosque, visitors must adhere to a modest dress code. Both men and women should choose clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. Shorts, sleeveless shirts, and short skirts are not allowed.
Women are required to wear a headscarf to cover their hair entirely. The mosque provides head coverings at the entrance for visitors who need one, but bring your own scarf for the best fit and comfort.
I strongly advise going ahead and dressing modestly during your entire trip to Istanbul, whether for a day or a week, as this will facilitate quick and easy entrance to mosques and other places of interest where modest dress is required.
Also note you are not allowed to wear your shoes inside the mosque. I recommend wearing or bringing non-slip socks to be comfortable inside.
You are also not allowed to bring any food or drink inside. So please plan accordingly!
Prayer Times and Closures at the Hagia Sophia
The Hagia Sophia mosque is an active place of worship closes five times daily for prayer. These prayer times change throughout the year based on the Islamic lunar calendar. The three most likely to impact your visit are highlighted below:
- Fajr (dawn prayer): about 90 minutes before sunrise
- Dhuhr (noon prayer): midday, when the sun reaches its highest point
- Asr (afternoon prayer): late afternoon
- Maghrib (sunset prayer): just after sunset
- Isha (night prayer): between sunset and midnight
During summer, with longer daylight hours, the time between prayers is extended. For example, in June, the mosque might be open to visitors from 9am to 11:30am, then 1pm to 2:30pm, 3:30pm to 5pm, 6pm to 7:30pm, and 8:30pm to 10pm.
In winter months, prayer times are closer together, so visiting hours are more limited.
The mosque typically remains closed to visitors and foreign tourists for about 90 minutes for each prayer session. Check the current prayer times online or at your hotel before your visit to plan accordingly.
On Friday afternoons, the mosque closes from 11am to 2:30pm for Friday prayers.
What to See Inside the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
1. Lower Floor
The lower floor is significantly restricted to tourists since the Hagia Sophia reverted from a museum to an active mosque in 2020 – but many of these things to see in the Hagia Sophia are still visible from the balcony.
- Imperial Gate: As soon as you enter through the new tourist gate, you’ll see the impressive Nice Door or Imperial Gate, a massive bronze-plated oak door believed to date back to the 2nd century BC when it was part of a pagan temple in Tarsus. The door is over 23 feet (7 meters) high and weighs several tons.
- Byzantine Mosaics: My favorite part of the Hagia Sophia – the interior is adorned with stunning Byzantine mosaics created during the building’s time as a church, many of which were covered in plaster during the Ottoman era. Notable ones on the lower floor include:
- The Virgin and Child: A 9th-century mosaic in the apse depicting Mary holding baby Jesus. This is one of the oldest surviving mosaics in the Hagia Sophia.
- Imperial Gate Mosaic: Located above the Imperial Gate, this mosaic depicts Christ Pantocrator (Christ “Ruler of All”), with portraits believed to be Emperor Leo VI to Christ’s right and possibly Constantine the Great and Justinian I to his left.
- Omphalion: In the center of the nave is a large section of inlaid marble marking the spot where Byzantine emperors were crowned. It’s known known as the Omphalion, meaning “navel”, symbolizing the center of the earth.
- Marble Jars: Near the entrance are two massive marble lustration jars, carved from single blocks of marble. These were used for ritual ablutions, an important part of Islamic prayers, in the Byzantine era.
- Mihrab: In the apse, you’ll see the ornate marble mihrab, a niche indicating the direction of Mecca for prayer. This was added in the 16th century after the Ottoman conversion to a mosque.
- Minbar: The intricately carved marble minbar (pulpit) to the right of the mihrab was a gift from Sultan Murad III in the late 16th century. It’s considered one of the finest examples of Ottoman sculpture in existence today!
2. Upper Gallery (Second Floor)
- Deesis Mosaic: This famous mosaic from the 12th-13th century is located on the upper gallery and depicts Christ Pantocrator flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist. It’s considered a prime example of Late Byzantine Palaeologan Renaissance art. The figures are remarkably well-preserved and lifelike.
- Empress Zoe Mosaics: These 11th-century mosaics portray Byzantine Empress Zoe, who ruled alongside her husbands. One panel shows her with her third husband Constantine IX Monomachos, while another depicts her with her adopted son.
- Comnenus Mosaics: These mosaics from the early 12th century show Emperor John II Comnenus, Empress Irene, and their son Prince Alexius paying homage to Christ.
- Library and Ramp Mosaics: The upper gallery also contains mosaics of saints, prophets, and Church Fathers, some dating back to the 9th century. These can be seen along the ramp leading up to the gallery and in the former library.
3. Exterior of the Hagia Sophia
- Dome: The massive central dome, reconstructed multiple times over the centuries, soars 180 feet (55 meters) above the ground and stretches 100 feet (31 meters) in diameter, supported by pendentives and 40 ribs.
- Minarets: The four slender minarets that tower over the building were added in the 15th and 16th centuries after the Ottoman conquest. Minarets are used for the Muslim call to prayer and are a distinctive feature of mosque architecture. The minarets of the Hagia Sophia mosque range from 195 to 219 feet (60 to 67 meters) tall.
- Buttresses: The flying buttresses on the north and south sides were added in the 12th century by Byzantine architects to support the weight of the massive dome.
- Fountains: The courtyard (avlu) contains şadırvan (ablution fountains) used for ritual washing before prayer, ablution.
The Blue Mosque is right across the square from the Hagia Sophia, making it easy to see both mosques in one day in Istanbul. The square between the two mosques features the Obelisk of Theodosius from ancient Egypt and the Serpentine Column from Delphi, both brought to Constantinople in the 4th century AD.
Facts about the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
- The Hagia Sophia was constructed in just five years (532-537 AD)!
- For nearly a thousand years, until the completion of the Seville Cathedral in 1520, the Hagia Sophia held the title of the world’s largest cathedral, with its interior reaching 180 feet (55 meters) high and stretching 269 feet (82 meters) long and 240 feet (73 meters) wide.
- The Hagia Sophia’s dome, which has a diameter of 102 feet (31 meters) and rises 180 feet (55 meters) above the ground, was the largest of its kind when it was built and has served as a model for many later Ottoman mosques.
- The Hagia Sophia has survived multiple earthquakes, fires, and riots over its nearly 1,500-year history, undergoing numerous repairs and reconstructions that have left it with a unique blend of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture.
More Tips for Visiting the Hagia Sophia in 2024
- The Hagia Sophia has modern safety features like security cameras and fire detection to protect both visitors and the historical structure.
- The upper gallery may be difficult for those with limited mobility, as it involves climbing several flights of stone steps. There is no elevator access due to the historic architecture.
- Photography is allowed inside the mosque, but avoid using flash as it can damage the ancient mosaics. Be very mindful of worshippers and avoid taking photos of people in prayer.
Author Bio
Cate Michelle is a specialists in world religions and healthcare practices. She specializes in helping healthcare providers best serve religious minority populations while respecting their beliefs and values. When she’s not researching or speaking, she travels the world in pursuit of visiting all of the world’s best religious and spiritual sites. Istanbul is one of her favorite cities!
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