Highlights | Overview

• The Hagia Sophia is a symbol of timeless beauty and religious importance
• It has a rich history of over 1500 years
• The magnificent domes and intricate architecture attract countless visitors worldwide
• The Hagia Sophia remains a source of deep respect and admiration
• It reminds us of the everlasting influence of art and spirituality
• The emotions evoked by this incredible monument speak to its lasting legacy as a beloved global icon.

Full Description

Istanbul Hagia Sophia: A Symbol of Religious and Cultural Diversity

A Journey Through the History and Wonders of Hagia Sophia: A Guided Tour

Pre-book your tickets and make sure entrance to this iconic museum is guaranteed. Hagia Sophia, a historic architectural wonder, is best explored with the help of an informative guide to ensure that no detail is missed.

After being converted into a mosque, the skip-the-line and fast-entry option unfortunately doesn't work but our guide provides an easy and a stress free entrance.

Hagia Sophia is a magnificent building that challenges centuries!

Once church, then mosque, then museum A masterpiece of architectural history.

The current Hagia Sophia is the third building built on the same site and has a different architectural style than its predecessor. Ansemios from Tralles (Eden) and Isidorus from Miletus (Balat) built this magnificent building on behalf of the Emperor Justinian. Construction began in 532 and was completed within five years. When Sultan Muhammad the Conqueror conquered the city of Istanbul, he converted it into his royal mosque.

The beautiful door is the oldest architectural element of Hagia Sophia, dating back to the 2nd century BC. The decorations, composed of geometric reliefs and plants, are believed to have come from a pagan temple in Tarsus, Silesia, and were part of the Cibyrraeot theme in today's Mersin province in southeastern Turkey. It was integrated into the building by Emperor Theophilus in 838 and is located at the southern exit of the inner vestibule.

Hagia Sophia has beautiful architecture with a large central dome and four smaller domes, and the interior is filled with mosaics and frescoes. Its architectural style combines Byzantine and Ottoman influences and is one of Istanbul's most popular tourist attractions.

Its history is marked with pivotal events, and Hagia Sophia has seen it all. When Western European crusaders sacked the city during the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the site witnessed a devastation of its riches. After Constantinople was ruled by the Latin Empire, Hagia Sophia was transformed into a Roman Catholic church, and only regained its Orthodox status after Michael VIII Palaiologos recaptured it. Finally, it was reclaimed by the Orthodox Church.

Your guide in Hagia Sophia will continue to inform you about this extraordinary structure. Total guidance time can be approximately 1 hour 10 minutes. You will also have free time in the Hagia Sophia museum. You will be amazed by this magnificent structure that is unique in the world.

Price included

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Details to know

Istanbul Tourist Guide: Small Group Tour of Hagia Sophia

Your professional licensed guide will be waiting for you with Vigo Tours logo in front of Hagia Sophia. Here, your guide will first give you a brief historical information about Istanbul and then quickly take you into Hagia Sophia without waiting for the long queue. This entrance is the fast travel agency entrance door, it is entered only with a licensed tourist guide.

Please write to us for your requests for guided Istanbul tours for small groups in any language!

The tour ticket issued by Vigo Tours to enter Hagia Sophia is not an adequate document. It is absolutely necessary to meet the tour guide to enter Hagia Sophia.

It is obligatory for children to present a passport at the entrance to Hagia Sophia.

Tour ends in front of Hagia Sophia.

Additional information

Small Group Tour of Hagia Sophia with a Professional Guide

Hagia Sophia, the lord of the buildings!
Hagia Sophia is a most valuable places "must seen" of the world!

The tour is made with a minimum of 4 people. Tourist guide is possible in any language, but there will be only one guide per group. There is no pick-up service for the tour, the tour starts with a meeting with the guide in front of Hagia Sophia. The tour duration is 1 hour and includes only the Hagia Sophia visit.

• Meeting with the guide in front of Hagia Sophia at the specified time
• Tour starts with a brief history of Istanbul
• Fast access to Hagia Sophia without waiting for a queue
• Guidance in Hagia Sophia
• Free time in Hagia Sophia
• End of the tour and time to good bye

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