How much are tickets to Hagia Sophia?

Hagia Sophia, officially the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, is a mosque and former museum and church serving as a major cultural and historical site in Istanbul, Turkey.

How much does it cost to enter Hagia Sophia?

Admission Fee: The first floor is free for Turks; the second floor (the gallery floor) is 25 euros for local and foreign tourists. Explore during the winter months: Plan your visit during the winter months to explore Hagia Sophia in comfort and avoid crowds and large groups of tourists.

Do I need to buy tickets to Hagia Sophia in advance?

It's recommended that you buy your entrance tickets for the Hagia Sophia in advance to avoid waiting in line.

How to go to Hagia Sophia for free?

Free prayer area entrance is available to Muslim tourists at Hagia Sophia only during prayer times. The gate faces Sultanahmet Square (old gate).

Can I just walk into Hagia Sophia?

Hagia Sophia is open to visitors throughout the week, but it remains closed during prayer times. Check the current prayer schedule in advance to plan your visit accordingly if you don't want to wait for the prayers to end. Hagia Sophia is open to visitors every day, opening hours from 09:00 am to 7:30 pm in 2025.

Hagia Sophia Guide | Ticket Prices, Opening time, Dress code and more! What to see inside the Mosque

Is it free to enter the Blue Mosque?

Entry to the Blue Mosque is free. You do not have to buy tickets. If you're a non-worshipper, you can use the entrance on the south side of the mosque or the one opposite Hagia Sophia.

What to see in Istanbul for free?

How much are tickets to Blue mosque?

The Blue Mosque has no admission charge and no ticket lines, however there is a security check line, which can take up to 45 minutes.

Can you buy tickets for Hagia Sophia online?

Admission tickets can be purchased from the ticket booth and online (Skip-the-Line) through official seller DEM MUSEUMS with below link. There are no Museum Passes available for visiting the Hagia Sophia.

What time is best to visit Hagia Sophia?

It is best to visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque during the early hours of the morning to experience lesser crowds; avoid Friday afternoons, as it remains closed to non-worshippers during prayers. Try to visit during the winter months to experience pleasant weather.

Is Topkapi Palace free?

The entrance fee of Topkapi Palace Museum is 2000 TL (Turkish Lira) per person including the Harem visit.

How long is the wait at the Hagia Sophia?

Since January 2024, Hagia Sophia has introduced a €25 official ticket for the Upper Gallery, sold at the visitor entrance (worshippers uses a separate gate). At peak times, expect 30-90 mins total wait with ticket and security queues—easily an hour lost on hot/rainy days or when prayer schedules pause sightseeing.

What to wear to Hagia Sophia?

How to Visit. Even as a functioning mosque, Hagia Sophia welcomes visitors, but respectful attire is required. Women should wear long skirts or pants and cover their hair, while men should also wear long pants. For those who don't have appropriate clothing, skirts and scarves are available for rent.

How much is the ticket for Topkapi Palace?

As of 1st of June 2025, the basic ticket price at the ticket windows of the Topkapi Palace is set to be 2400 TL.

Is Istanbul E Pass worth it?

If you're the type of traveler that wants to cover as much of Istanbul's attractions as possible during your stay, who doesn't want to waste time in ticket sales lines, loves to have a guide explaining the ins and outs of some of the Istanbul's top attractions, than you should buy the Istanbul E-pass.

Is Galata Tower worth it?

We went for the views of the city and it was worth it. We enjoyed the 360 views of the city for the hour, though the Euro 30 PP is quite pricey and the queue is quite long. It took us 20 minutes of queuing to go up the tower.

Is it free to enter Blue Mosque?

Is the Blue Mosque free to enter? Yes, entry is free as it remains an active place of worship. However, visitors must pass a mandatory security check, which can take up to 30 minutes in low season and up to 1 hour during peak season.

Is Hagia Sophia open 24 hours?

FAQs about Hagia Sophia Opening Hours

Hagia Sophia opens daily at 08:30 and closes at 19:00, with the last tourist entry at 18:30. It remains open 24/7 for worshippers but visiting hours for tourists are limited to daytime.

Are skip the line tickets worth it in Istanbul?

If you want to make the most of your visit to Istanbul, we highly recommend booking your tickets in advance online. This approach will enable you to skip the long lines and crowds at the entrance and gain instant access to your preferred attractions.

Which is better to visit, Hagia Sophia or Blue Mosque?

Hagia Sophia will appeal to history lovers and architecture buffs fascinated by religious convergence. Blue Mosque, on the other hand, is perfect for those seeking an authentic Islamic experience in a working mosque.

What day is the Blue Mosque closed?

The Mosque is open to visitors each day of the week. It's closed to non-worshippers for 45 minutes before the call to prayer, 15 minutes afterward, and all morning on Friday until 2:30 pm, the Muslim holy day.

How much is the entrance fee to the Hagia Sophia in 2025?

The Hagia Sophia entrance fee in 2025 is set at 25 euros.

Foreign tourists will be required to use the new tourist entrance gate, which leads only to the upper floor galleries, while the ground floor will remain open exclusively for worshippers.

What money is best to take to Istanbul?

But what currency? Hotels may ask (or prefer) you to pay in Dollars or Euros. However, for all other expenses you're better off or required to pay in Turkish Liras. So, if your hotel gives you a nice discount by paying cash in a strong currency, make sure to bring that amount along and pay for your stay upon arrival.

Are beaches free in Istanbul?

There are a number of public beaches - Florya on the European side of the city, the Caddebostan area on the Asian side and Kilyos on the Black Sea coast. These beaches are free to use. Private beaches often offer more activities and services, such as cafés/restaurants, sunbeds and parasols, but charge an entrance fee.

Is 3 nights in Istanbul enough?

Istanbul demands a minimum of two days, but we'd suggest at least four days to do it justice. Even with a week, you'd find yourself running out of time trying to tackle everything the city has to offer.