Istanbul, Turkey
Nearly 1,500 years of history, faith, and wonder — rising above the Bosphorus
Your Complete Visitor's Guide
Getting There
Hagia Sophia sits in the heart of old Istanbul. Take the T1 tram to Sultanahmet station — it's a short walk from there. From Istanbul Airport, the metro to Kabataş connects to the tram line.
Opening Hours
Open every day of the year from 9 am to 6 pm (last entry 5:30 pm). Closed to visitors during the five daily prayer times. Entry is free for all visitors.
The Monument
Built in 537 AD by Emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia served as a cathedral for nearly 1,000 years, then a mosque, then a museum, and was reconverted to an active mosque in 2020.
A Wonder of the World
The soaring dome of Hagia Sophia — 55 metres high and seemingly floating on a ring of light — was the largest in the world for nearly a thousand years. Inside, golden Byzantine mosaics glimmer alongside Ottoman calligraphy, a layered testament to the civilisations that shaped this extraordinary city.
Visitors are welcome to enter the mosque. Modest dress is required — bring a scarf and be prepared to remove your shoes. The quieter early morning hours offer the most serene experience.