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A historic mosque with multiple domes and a tall minaret. 1
A group of people standing in a historical building with ornate arches and columns. 2
A tall obelisk monument in a square with paved ground, surrounded by trees and buildings. 3
A marble corridor with arches and a patterned ceiling. 4
A historical building with a vaulted ceiling, columns, and a marble floor. 5
By Hagia Sophia guide
Free cancellation available
Price is $108 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 3h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation

Overview

  • By Septillion Travel Agency
    TÜRSAB A-Class License No: 18212

    1. Bypass every ticket queue with fast-track access, giving you more time to explore in just 3 hours.
    2. Professionally licensed guides deliver precise, reliable historical insight throughout the experience.
    3. Specialized expert guides enrich the tour with in-depth knowledge unavailable on regular group tours.
    4. Discover Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern through expert narration that highlights its layered history and hidden stories.
    5. Enter the Blue Mosque with local Guide and enjoy vivid storytelling beneath its atmospheric arches.
    6. Stroll across Sultanahmet Square while your guide reveals centuries of Byzantine and Ottoman transformation.

Activity location

  • Hagia Sophia Mosque
    • Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya MeydanI No:1
    • 34122, Istanbul, Turkiye

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • III. Ahmet Fountain
    • 34122, Cankurtaran, İstanbul, Türkiye

Check availability

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Private Licensed Tour Guide
  • Inclusions
    Skip the Ticket Purchase Line
  • Exclusions
    Personal expenses
  • Exclusions
    Tip for the Guide
  • Exclusions
    Hagia Sophia Ticket

Know before you book

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Hagia Sophia Mosque

  • 40m
  • Admission ticket not included
Hagia Sophia is one of the most famous landmarks in Istanbul. It was first built in 537 by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I as a Christian cathedral. For many centuries, it was the largest church in the world and a symbol of Byzantine architecture with its huge dome and beautiful mosaics. Later, in 1453, after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque. In the 20th century, it became a museum, and today it serves again as a mosque. Visitors admire its unique mix of Byzantine and Ottoman features, making it a symbol of Istanbul’s rich history.

Sultanahmet Square

  • 20m
Sultanahmet is Istanbul’s historic heart, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Named after Sultan Ahmet I, this ancient district centers around the legendary Sultanahmet Square, formerly the Hippodrome of Constantinople, where chariot races and gladiator contests once captivated Byzantine audiences. The area showcases iconic landmarks including the Blue Mosque with its six minarets and over 21,000 handmade ceramic tiles, the magnificent Hagia Sophia basilica from the 6th century, and Topkapi Palace, the world’s largest surviving historic palace. Visitors can explore Byzantine cisterns, archaeological museums, Gulhane Park, and traditional bazaars while walking streets lined with restaurants, hotels, and shops. This extraordinary district offers an unparalleled journey through millennia of history, where Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilizations converge in stunning architectural splendor.

Hippodrome (Pass by)

Step into Istanbul’s ancient Hippodrome, once the vibrant heart of Byzantine Constantinople. This grand arena hosted thrilling chariot races, imperial ceremonies, and public gatherings. Today, landmarks such as the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpent Column still reveal its remarkable past.

Blue Mosque

  • 40m
  • Admission ticket not included
The Blue Mosque, one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks, welcomes you into a breathtaking world of Ottoman architecture and spiritual beauty. With this tour, guests can skip the ticket line, explore the المسجد with a private expert guide, and discover the rich history, intricate tile work, and timeless stories behind this magnificent monument.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Hagia Sophia Mosque
    • Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya MeydanI No:1
    • 34122, Istanbul, Turkiye

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    III. Ahmet Fountain
    • 34122, Cankurtaran, İstanbul, Türkiye

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