Sights · 33 of the best in Istanbul
Little Hagia Sophia
Justinian’s jewel
About Little Hagia Sophia
Built by Justinian in the 530s, a few years before Hagia Sophia, the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus became the Küçük Ayasofya (Little Hagia Sophia) Mosque in the Ottoman period. Its octagonal domed interior is elegant and peaceful, and the courtyard tea garden is a lovely, quiet stop below Sultanahmet. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered, a headscarf for women), take off your shoes, and avoid prayer times.
Why it's on our list
- 6th-century church
- Quiet garden courtyard
- Few visitors
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Little Hagia Sophia before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Little 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
- ÇemberlitaşT1650 m8 min walk
- SultanahmetT1650 m8 min walk
- Beyazit - Kapali Carsi/Grand BazaarT1850 m11 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Çayıroğlu Sokağı150 m2 min walk
- Taxi rank, Kennedy Avenue600 m7 min walk
Key sights
- Blue Mosque450 mWalk 6 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 4 min
- Basilica Cistern800 mWalk 10 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Hagia Sophia900 mWalk 12 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Grand Bazaar1.1 kmWalk 13 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Topkapı Palace1.3 kmWalk 16 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Spice Bazaar1.5 kmWalk 19 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Süleymaniye Mosque1.7 kmWalk 21 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Galata Bridge1.9 kmWalk 24 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Galata Tower2.6 kmWalk 32 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 11 min
- İstiklal Avenue3.5 kmWalk 43 minCycle 14 minCar or taxi 13 min
Getting around
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)31 kmCar or taxi 95 min
- Istanbul Airport (IST)35 kmCar or taxi 109 min