What day is Hagia Sophia closed?

Hagia Sophia is open every day and, unlike many other monuments, has no weekly closures. The only time when tourist access is temporarily suspended is on Fridays between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to allow the weekly prayer to take place. The same is also done on the mornings of the first day of major Islamic holidays.

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.

What is the best time to visit Hagia Sophia?

What is the best time 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.

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.

Can I wear jeans 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.

Why Hagia Sophia is So Important? The Whole History is Explained

Is it free to go inside Hagia Sophia?

Admission Fee: €25 for all visitors, including Turkish citizens and foreigners who have a legal residence permit in Turkey. The first floor is free for Turks; the second floor (the gallery floor) is 25 euros for local and foreign tourists. Children younger than 8 are allowed in for free.

Can a woman wear jeans in Istanbul?

Having said that, most people wear international smart-casual clothing. Jeans are very popular combined with a sweater and jacket in the cooler months. Although there are no rules for dress, it's better to dress quite modestly to avoid unwanted attention and beachwear certainly isn't recommended.

What is closed on Monday in Istanbul?

When planning your itinerary, keep in mind the closures for these top sites: Closed Monday: Archaeological Museums, Ayasofya, Dolmabahçe Palace, Great Palace Mosaics Museum. Closed Tuesday: Topkapı Palace and Harem. Closed Wednesday: Chora Museum, Rumeli Fortress.

How much is the Hagia Sophia ticket?

The ticket price at the ticket windows of Hagia Sophia is 25 Euro. If you prefer to go the ticket booth the estimated waiting time is between 20 to 60 minutes. After that, the security will be the next step to go through that may take 1 to 25 minutes. Children under the age of 8 will need no ticket.

Can you just walk into the Blue Mosque?

The Blue Mosque offers free entry to all visitors. If you're a worshipper, you can use the main entrance on the north side facing the Hippodrome. If you're a non-worshipper, you can use the entrance on the south side of the mosque or the one opposite Hagia Sophia.

Is Sunday a good day to visit Hagia Sophia?

Best time to visit the Hagia Sophia

However, weekends may provide a livelier atmosphere with more activities and events happening around the area. If you prefer a more peaceful visit, weekdays might be better, but if you enjoy a bustling atmosphere, weekends would be ideal.

What day is Topkapi Palace closed?

Topkapi Palace is closed every Tuesday. Apart from that, it is also closed for visits on 1st May, 1st day of Ramadan and the 1st day of the Feast of Sacrifice. Is Topkapi Palace open on weekends? Yes, Topkapi Palace is open on the weekends.

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

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 to see in Istanbul for free?

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.

Do you need to book Hagia Sophia in advance?

Yes, tickets are required to visit Hagia Sophia. Visitors need to purchase tickets at the entrance or online in advance.

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 Topkapi Palace free?

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

What to wear to Hagia Sophia?

Clothing Coverage: Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders, arms, and knees. Sleeveless tops, short skirts, and shorts are not appropriate. Head Covering: While not always mandatory for women, it's recommended to carry a scarf to cover your head as a sign of respect when entering the mosque.

What day is the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul closed?

The Grand Bazaar is opened each day except Sundays and bank holidays from 9:00 until 19:00.

What shoes to wear in Turkey?

Can you drink alcohol in Istanbul?

Anyone over the age of 18 can buy alcoholic drinks in restaurants, bars etc. The local drinks like beer and wine are very reasonably priced but imported drinks can be a bit more expensive.

What should I pack for Istanbul?

What you pack for Istanbul will change with the seasons, so check the forecast before you start packing! You'll need to bring essentials like your passport, comfortable walking shoes, and modest attire if visiting mosques or conservative areas of city. Don't forget to pack your Turkish lira.

Can you bring a backpack into Hagia Sophia?

Big luggage bags are not allowed inside Hagia Sophia.

There is no cloakroom available for public use at the Hagia Sophia Mosque.

How much is a ticket to 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.