40-Minute Private Hagia Sophia Tour in Istanbul with Second Floor

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore the magnificent Hagia Sophia with a licensed local expert, discovering its stunning mosaics and rich Byzantine and Ottoman heritage
• 02 Enjoy 40 minutes of professional private guiding service inside Hagia Sophia
• 03 Access the second floor of Hagia Sophia and uncover its hidden stories and remarkable architectural details
• 04 Learn about Hagia Sophia's remarkable history as a church, mosque, museum, and mosque once again

Explore the magnificent Hagia Sophia on this 40-minute private guided tour in Istanbul. Skip the ticket purchase line with your licensed local expert and discover stunning mosaics, hidden stories, and the rich Byzantine and Ottoman heritage of this iconic landmark. During your visit, you will learn about Hagia Sophia's remarkable history as a church, mosque, museum, and mosque once again, with possible access to the second floor. The entrance ticket of 25 euro per person is not included and must be paid in cash directly to the guide at the start of the tour.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 40 Minutes

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

City Istanbul

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Private Guided Exploration of Hagia Sophia

• Meet your licensed guide in front of the ticket booths at the tourist entrance of Hagia Sophia at least 15 minutes before the tour starts. For your safety, please do not let anyone approach, follow, or walk with you on your way to the meeting point.
• Please note that Hagia Sophia entrance fees are not included in the tour price. Entrance fees must be paid in cash directly to the guide at the beginning of the tour. Children under 7 years old receive free entry but must present a valid passport or ID card.
• Skip the ticket purchase line with your guide and proceed to the entrance. Please note that everyone must still queue at the X-ray security line.
• Enjoy 40 minutes of professional private guiding service inside Hagia Sophia, exploring its enormous central dome, stunning mosaics, and remarkable history as a church, mosque, museum, and mosque once again.
• Access to the second floor of Hagia Sophia is possible. Please note that the upper gallery stairs are steep and may be difficult for those with mobility issues. Strollers and wheelchairs are not allowed upstairs.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Private licensed tour guide
• Skip the ticket purchase line

What's Not Included

• Hagia Sophia entry ticket: 25 euro per person
• Entry/admission to Hagia Sophia
• Skipping the X-ray security line is not included; everyone must queue.
• Tip is not included.

What to bring

• Dress code: Women must cover their head, shoulders, and knees. Men must cover their shoulders and knees. No tank tops or short shorts. Scarves are available at the entrance for 1 to 3 euro.

Know before you go

• Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour starts.
• Women must wear a headscarf and cover their shoulders and knees.
• Men must cover their shoulders and knees.
• Scarves can be bought at the entrance for 1 to 3 euros.
• Children under 7 years old enter free, but an ID or passport is required.
• You will skip the ticket purchase line with your guide.
• There may still be a short wait at the security check.
• The meeting point is in front of the ticket booths at the tourist entrance.
• For your safety, please do not talk to or follow strangers on your way.
• No elevator is available, and strollers must be carried by hand.
• There is no restroom inside.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III, Cankurtaran, Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Tour start

Sultan Ahmet Sultanahmet Meydanı Topkapı Sarayı, Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.