Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

About this place

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is one of Istanbul’s most important monuments, reflecting nearly fifteen centuries of imperial, religious, and artistic history. Built in 537 as the cathedral of the Byzantine Empire, it later served as an imperial mosque, then a museum, and today functions again as a mosque. Its vast central dome, marble revetments, calligraphic roundels, and surviving mosaics make it a landmark of both Byzantine engineering and Ottoman adaptation. The building’s layered character reveals how different civilizations reshaped the same sacred space over time.

Getting there: The nearest tram stop is Sultanahmet on the T1 line, about 250 m away, roughly a 3–4 minute walk through the historic square. Marmaray Sirkeci is around 1.4 km away and usually takes 18–20 minutes on foot or a short tram connection.

Note: As an active mosque, modest dress is required; women should cover their hair and all visitors should avoid shorts or revealing clothing. Entry rules and visitor circulation may change during prayer times, especially on Fridays and religious holidays, so arriving early in the morning is usually more comfortable.

Plan your visit

Visit duration

60 minutes

Tickets

Foreign visitors: €25 adult (about $29.29). Children under 8: free with adult and valid ID/passport. Turkish citizens entering to pray use separate free entrance. Museum Pass not valid.

Address

Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Opening hours

• Friday: 09:00-19:30
• Monday: 09:00-19:30
• Sunday: 09:00-19:30
• Tuesday: 09:00-19:30
• Saturday: 09:00-19:30
• Thursday: 09:00-19:30
• Wednesday: 09:00-19:30