Sights · 33 of the best in Istanbul
Hagia Sophia
Fifteen centuries under one dome
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Mustang Joe · CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Ywpark2003 Prof. Yong Woo Park · CC0 via Wikimedia Commons1 / 3
About Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia, the Church of Holy Wisdom, was completed in 537 under Emperor Justinian, and its vast dome was a wonder of the medieval world. After 1453 it became an imperial mosque, with minarets, a mihrab and great calligraphic roundels; it was a museum from 1934, and since 2020 it has been a mosque again. Foreign visitors pay an entry fee (introduced in 2024) and follow a route through the upper galleries, where the Byzantine mosaics, including the Deësis, are the highlight. The ground floor is reserved for prayer. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered, a headscarf for women), take off your shoes, and avoid prayer times.
Why it's on our list
- Completed in 537
- Byzantine mosaics in the galleries
- Entry fee for foreign visitors
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Hagia Sophia before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Hagia Sophia are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro & tram stops
- SultanahmetT1400 m5 min walk
- GülhaneT1400 m5 min walk
- ÇemberlitaşT1750 m10 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Ishakpaşa Caddesi250 m3 min walk
- Taxi rank, Çayıroğlu Sokağı800 m10 min walk
Key sights
- Basilica Cistern150 mWalk 2 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 3 min
- Topkapı Palace400 mWalk 5 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 4 min
- Blue Mosque450 mWalk 6 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 4 min
- Grand Bazaar1.0 kmWalk 13 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Spice Bazaar1.2 kmWalk 15 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Galata Bridge1.4 kmWalk 17 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Süleymaniye Mosque1.6 kmWalk 20 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Galata Tower2.0 kmWalk 24 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
- İstiklal Avenue2.8 kmWalk 35 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Taksim Square3.2 kmWalk 40 minCycle 13 minCar or taxi 13 min
Getting around
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)30 kmCar or taxi 94 min
- Istanbul Airport (IST)35 kmCar or taxi 109 min