A sacred space shaped by empires
Hagia Sophia rewards quiet, attentive wandering: walk beneath the great dome, notice how light drifts through high windows, listen for the mellow echo of footsteps, and let your eyes trace marble veins and mosaic flickers.
Arrive early, be respectful—it is a functioning mosque—move with care, and look up often..
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque (Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii Şerifi) Visiting timetable
Open daily with prayer times shaping access. Non‑worshippers are asked to avoid entry during congregational prayers; last admission may be adjusted seasonally. Sections can close temporarily for restoration or religious use.
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque (Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii Şerifi) Closing Days
Open year‑round; portions may close during major Islamic holidays, Friday prayers, special ceremonies, or conservation works. Check official advisories.
Where is Located
Ayasofya Meydanı, Sultanahmet, Fatih, 34122 Istanbul, Türkiye
How to get there
In Istanbul’s historic heart, Sultanahmet—easy on foot from the tram, minutes from the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace.
By Train
From Sirkeci or Marmaray stations: walk or take the T1 tram to Sultanahmet, then follow the flow toward the square—Hagia Sophia’s dome will guide you.
By Car
Traffic is dense and parking limited in the old quarter. Park in a public garage farther out or rely on tram/taxi, then stroll the final stretch.
By Bus
City buses and the T1 tram link Sultanahmet broadly. Alight at Sultanahmet stop; walk past the square fountains toward the cathedral‑like silhouette.
On Foot
Most visitors come on foot—pair with the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and a gentle circuit through the gardens and courtyard benches.
Why step into Hagia Sophia
UNESCO masterpiece and living mosque—Byzantine engineering, floating domes, Ottoman calligraphy, marble pavements, subtle mosaics, and the quiet grace of prayer space.
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Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque (Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii Şerifi)
The Great Dome
An audacious feat of Byzantine engineering: a vast dome seeming to float on light—watch how sunbeams glide along curved stone and awaken tiny gold tesserae.
Ottoman Calligraphy Medallions
Monumental roundels inscribed with revered names—calligraphy becoming architecture, devotion written in graceful arcs above the marble sea.
Mosaics & Marble
Subtle mosaics and richly veined marbles—fragments of emperors, saints, and cosmic patterns of stone; look for the Deësis mosaic and swirling Proconnesian textures.
Hagia Sophia basics at a glance
Respectful, simple planning for a smooth visit.
Plan your respectful visit
Arrive early for soft light and lighter crowds.
Pair Hagia Sophia with the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and a stroll through Gülhane Park for a full historic day.
