4-Hour Istanbul Mosque Walking Tour with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Discover Hagia Sophia, the headquarters of Orthodox Christendom
• 02 Hear the story of the first mosque in Istanbul after the conquest
• 03 Visit Süleymaniye Mosque, a significant historical and architectural landmark
• 04 Explore the Blue Mosque and its impressive İznik tiles
• 05 Gain insight into Muslim culture

Immerse yourself in Istanbul's Islamic heritage on a walking tour from Beyazıt Square to Hagia Sophia. Over about two and a half hours, explore iconic landmarks such as Süleymaniye Mosque, Sultanahmet Mosque, and Hagia Sophia while gaining insight into the city's rich history, architecture, and religious traditions.

The tour starts at Beyazıt Square and finishes at Hagia Sophia, taking about two and a half hours.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Hours

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access No

City Istanbul

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Walking Tour of Istanbul's Historic Mosques

• The tour starts at Beyazıt Square and finishes at Hagia Sophia, taking about two and a half hours.
• During the tour, visitors will discover historical places and experience Islamic life.
• Places to visit include Süleymaniye Mosque, Sultanahmet Mosque, and Hagia Sophia.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• A professionally planned itinerary
• Professional tour guide

What's Not Included

• Drinks and food
• Hagia Sophia ticket

What to bring

• Comfortable sneakers and clothing
• Water

Know before you go

• The tour includes visits to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Süleymaniye Mosque.
• Hagia Sophia: Imagine a building standing in the same place for 1,500 years - the number one temple for two religions. It was the headquarters of Orthodox Christendom and the first mosque in Istanbul. It was constructed in only five years. For 800 years, it had the world's largest dome, measuring 55.60 in height and 31.87 in diameter. It features depictions of the two religions side by side. It was the coronation place of the Roman Emperors and the meeting place of the Sultan and his people. That is the famous Hagia Sophia of Istanbul.
• Blue Mosque: Located in the heart of the old city, it is the most famous mosque in Istanbul and Turkey. Although widely known as the Blue Mosque, its original name is Sultanahmet Mosque. The interior tilework gives the Blue Mosque its popular name. These tiles come from İznik, the most famous tile-producing city in Turkey. The Ottoman tradition of naming mosques was simple: mosques were named after the person who ordered and funded their construction. For this reason, most mosques carry the names of those people. Another tradition is that the region takes its name from the biggest mosque in that area. For this reason, there are three meanings of Sultanahmet: the mosque, the Sultan who ordered it, and the Sultanahmet area.
• Süleymaniye Mosque: Süleymaniye Mosque is one of Istanbul's most significant historical and architectural landmarks. Built during the reign of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, this stunning mosque is an impressive example of Ottoman architecture. It is widely considered one of the most impressive structures of its kind in the world.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Beyazıt, Beyazit Square, Ordu Cad., Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Tour start

Süleymaniye, 34116 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.