In all honesty, before I visited Istanbul I did not know much about the Hagia Sophia until I saw and read recommendations about it. The Blue Mosque was what I heard more about. That being said, this is another UNESCO World Heritage Site which cannot be missed.
In this blog post, I’ll briefly share what to expect based on my experience. If you’re looking for more information on the history of the Hagia Sophia, you can get started here. Also, Istanbul Tourist Information have a very useful post here.
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Opening Hours and Ticket Prices
When I visited the Hagia Sophia, it was free to enter. However, as of January 15th 2024, it now costs €25 to enter. It’s open from 9am to 7:30pm at the moment. During noon prayers on a Friday, it stays closed. Click here to check out prayer times in Istanbul. Personally, I would suggest choosing to either visit during the morning or afternoon and stopping for a break at a spot nearby. Queues will very depending on the season. I waited for ten minutes before I could enter.
Dress Code and Security
Before you enter the building, you’ll be asked to present your bag under a security conveyor belt. Similar to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia is a place of prayer. Shoulders, arms and knees need to be covered. You will need to remove your shoes (I kept my socks on, many other tourists did, too).
Inside the Hagia Sophia
Inside the Hagia Sophia is mesmerising. Expect to see high ceilings which have been very well preserved. The ground floor is open and while you will spend a lot of time looking up and all around you, there are plenty of tourists passing through. That said, I felt like I had more room for movement in comparison to the Blue Mosque.
One a very random note, the carpet is exceptionally soft! I was surprised, especially as so many visitors and worshippers visit daily. This is another place you could spend plenty of time in if you wanted to take it all in. I spent about 20 minutes inside in total. It’s well worth a visit if you visit Istanbul.
Thanks for Reading!
Finally, I hope that you enjoyed reading and that this post has given you some ideas if you ever decide to visit in Istanbul. If not, I still think that they are shops worth visiting if you tend to be passing through. Thanks for taking the time to read! If you liked this post, you might like some others I have written about Turkey.
BLUE MOSQUE, ISTANBUL. | WHAT TO EXPECT
20 PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK IN ISTANBUL | TURKEY.
3 THRIFT SHOPS TO VISIT IN ISTANBUL. | TURKEY
DOLMABACHE PALACE, ISTANBUL | WHAT TO EXPECT
TOPKAPI PALACE, ISTANBUL | WHAT TO EXPECT
BABIL RESIDENCE AND SUITES, ISTANBUL | TURKEY
OPERA HOTEL BOSPHORUS, ISTANBUL. | WHAT TO EXPECT
