Discover How to Visit Turkey’s Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, an architectural marvel blending Christian and Islamic heritage. Explore its stunning mosaics, grand dome, and rich history. Plan your trip to experience this iconic landmark, easily accessible in the city’s heart.
How to Visit Turkey’s Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, is a city full of amazing food, history, and architecture, but if there’s one thing that truly caught my attention throughout my stay, it has to be the Hagia Sophia museum.
If you are ever going to this region of the world, you really must see this enormous 1,500-year-old Byzantine church/cathedral converted mosque.
The cathedral is easily accessible from all parts of the city because it is situated in Istanbul’s historic center. This travel guide will tell you all you need to know before you go, including how to get there!
History – What Is The Hagia Sophia?
When Istanbul (then known as Constantinople) was the capital of the Byzantine Empire in the Middle Ages, construction on the Hagia Sophia cathedral began in 537 AD.
For a period, Hagia Sophia stood as the largest structure in the world and was considered an engineering wonder. For nearly a millennium, it held the title of largest cathedral in the world.
After the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople in 1453, they converted the Hagia Sophia into a mosque and built four Islamic minarets.
Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, converted the mosque into a secular museum in 1935, saving the majority of its structure.
Currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hagia Sophia museum welcomes more over 3 million tourists annually.
Visiting The Hagia Sophia
It’s a good idea to explore the exterior of the Hagia Sophia before entering to get a closer look at the enormous dome, buttresses, and minarets.
The fountain in the center of Sultanahmet Square offers one of the best vantage points for taking pictures of these massive structures.
You may also see the Sultans’ Tombs on the grounds of the Hagia Sophia. These three smaller domed buildings feature elaborate Islamic lettering and patterns.
Inside The Hagia Sophia
Entering this enormous palace and passing through the same hallways as emperors and sultans from centuries ago is an amazing experience. With the amazing ambiance and the surrounding old history,
you almost get the impression that you are traveling back in time. Following your exploration of the first floor’s hallways, make sure to ascend the stairs to the second floor, where you’ll see vivid, golden mosaics depicting biblical themes and figures that are largely intact from the Middle Ages.
You can also see the elaborate domed ceilings more clearly from this vantage point.
Ticket Prices & Hours
The Hagia Sophia is rather easy to enter.
If you prefer explanations as you explore, guides are available for hire at the entrance, but it’s not mandatory.
After a relatively hassle-free and swift ticket queue, you can proceed with your journey.
Adults: 60 ₺, or $11.20.
Youngsters: Free Until Age 9
Summer Hours: April 15–October 31; 9 AM–7 PM
Winter Hours: November 1 through April 15 from 9 AM to 5 PM
The last entry time is one hour before closing.
Location – Where Is Hagia Sophia?
The structure stands in Istanbul’s historic old district, Sultanahmet Square.
The Hagia Sophia is about 45 kilometers (30 miles) from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), the airport used by many international flights arriving in Istanbul. Taxis and Uber can bring you to
the Hagia Sophia, but it’s far less expensive (and almost as fast) to just take the HAVABÜS shuttle bus from the airport to Taksim Square, from which you can get an Uber for the last short distance to Sultanahmet.
Visiting Topkapi Palace and the neighboring Blue Mosque while at the Hagia Sophia is highly recommended!
The Sophia is only a quick 5-minute walk away from these.
When Is The Best Time To Visit?
Istanbul experiences scorching summers and moderate, wet winters due to its Mediterranean climate.
The lack of air conditioning or heating inside the Hagia Sophia can make it a little uncomfortable in the middle of summer or winter. With their temperate temps, spring and fall are perhaps the ideal seasons to visit. Having said that,
most months would be suitable for a trip to Istanbul because it never experiences extremely high or low temperatures. You should keep an eye out for any current construction. Because ongoing maintenance and renovations occur at the Hagia Sophia, scaffolding may appear in your pictures.
There’s a small amount of scaffolding inside, but nothing major outdoors as of this posting. Now is a fantastic time to go!
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