Visiting Hagia Sophia in 2026? As a historian and licensed tour guide living in Istanbul, I keep travellers up to date with the latest news about the Hagia Sophia. If you’re looking for the most up-to-date information on the Hagia Sophia, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll describe what the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul currently looks like, both inside and out. Alongside recent photographs of the site and its current condition, I’ll explain what’s happening there at the moment, the details of the restoration work, the latest visiting rules, and I’ll try to answer the question: ‘Is it still worth paying €25 to visit the Hagia Sophia?’
Here are all the details.
What Hagia Sophia Actually Looks Like Right Now
Extensive restoration work is currently underway at Hagia Sophia, and scaffolding, tarpaulins and construction platforms completely obscure both its interior and exterior.
This restoration process, which has not affected visits to the building, is a period that is the main topic of conversation amongst tourists visiting Istanbul; some criticise it, whilst others remain indifferent.
As you can see for yourselves from the photographs I took whilst writing this article, the Hagia Sophia does not currently offer the spectacular sight—with its vast dome—that you might be hoping for during your holiday in Istanbul, where you could stand in front of it and pose for a photo.
The platforms and scaffolding currently visible both outside and inside the building demonstrate just how extensive the restoration work is.
What’s Happening to Hagia Sophia Right Now?
Ground investigation works and structural reinforcement plans are underway, and workers are removing the lead cladding from the exterior of the building’s main dome. Workers are constructing a temporary steel roof and platform to protect the interior mosaics and the structure itself from the effects of the weather.
In fact, this work is visible from the outside of the building and forms part of the restoration plan. These preparations mean that visitors do not encounter the view they would expect.
There are also other constructions inside the building. Workers have fully installed the steel platform and fitted a lift and staircase system to provide access to it.
The Hagia Sophia restoration project is continuing with the aim of protecting the building, preserving its original materials and ensuring its long-term structural safety.
Is there Restoration in the Hagia Sophia?
Teams carried out ground-penetrating radar scans and digital modelling studies to determine the building’s reinforcement requirements. Using the data revealed by this study, which covered an area of 5,200 square metres, engineers prepared reinforcement projects and commenced reinforcement works.
Study and restoration work has been ongoing at the Hagia Sophia for around two years. The process, described by the authorities as ‘the most comprehensive restoration in history’, is continuing with the utmost care.
Analyses revealed cement-based render on the north and east façades: teams meticulously removed this render over an area of approximately 2,800 square metres.
For the restoration work, craftsmen produced and used handmade bricks commissioned in accordance with the standards of the Roman and Ottoman periods.
Are the Mosaics Covered or Not? When Can You Actually See Them?
With the sole exception of the mosaic of the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus, all the mosaics are visible and on display. The mosaic of the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus, however, is behind a white curtain and partially obscured. Once you reach the end of the south gallery, you can clearly see it from behind the curtain.
Apart from that, restoration teams are currently carrying out no work on the mosaics of Hagia Sophia, limiting their efforts to strengthening the building and removing later additions from the façade.
Consequently, all the mosaics in the building are visible to all visitors. During your visit, you can examine and view all the mosaics without any difficulty.
Is It Still Worth €25 When You Can Barely See Anything?
As a tour guide who leads tours at the Hagia Sophia on almost six days a week, I must say that the restoration work has not disrupted anything. For years, I have explored this building and shown others around it in all weathers. I do not believe the loss is as serious as social media posts and forum discussions suggest.
People are sharing a great deal of misleading information on this subject, and say, ‘We went there and saw nothing.’ The truth is that those who have gone there on their own have never found anything beyond superficial information.
Hagia Sophia is a building steeped in history, one that deserves detailed examination and explanation. Of course, visitors on their own see nothing other than the scaffolding inside.
In short, the Hagia Sophia is a building that is well worth a visit under any circumstances. It would be rather unfair to come all the way to Istanbul and not visit the city’s most iconic and best-known building just because it is undergoing restoration.
Current Hagia Sophia Rules, Entrance Fees, and Visiting Hours (2026)
The current rules for visiting Hagia Sophia in 2026 are as follows:
Hagia Sophia is now officially a mosque; therefore, female visitors must wear a headscarf in addition to clothing that is not see-through and covers most of the body.
As for gentlemen, if they do wear shorts, these must be as far below the knee as possible. T-shirts are permitted, but sleeveless tops are not allowed.
As of June 2026, admission tickets to the Hagia Sophia cost €25, $29 or ₺1350 per person.
Visiting hours of the Hagia Sophia between 8.00 AM and 7.00 PM in the evening. On Fridays only, entry to the upper gallery is not permitted between 12.00 and 2.30 due to Friday prayers. The building reopens to visitors after the prayers.
Hagia Sophia 2026 FAQs
Is There Official Website of Hagia Sophia?
Hagia Sophia does not have an official website. None of the websites that appear online under the name ‘Hagia Sophia’ are the official website of Hagia Sophia. These are websites set up by fraudsters who seek to give tourists the impression that they are the official museum website in order to sell them their own products. However, there is a joint website for the museum known as the Experience Museum, which manages visitor access to Hagia Sophia. This website sells tickets exclusively for the Experience Museum, or combined tickets covering both the Experience Museum and the gallery level of Hagia Sophia.
Does the Scaffolding Inside Actually Block the Dome?
Yes, the main dome has been closed off for restoration work, both from the inside and the outside. Inside, the interior dome has been covered with a canvas so that visitors can understand how the main dome appears to them. This is an important detail designed to showcase the interior dome of this building even under these conditions. This appearance, which is almost impossible to notice unless you look very closely, will remain as it is for the duration of the restoration work.
Will Visiting Now Mean You Miss What It’s Supposed to Look Like?
If you are referring to the building’s overall appearance, both inside and out, then yes. As you can see from the recent photographs of the Hagia Sophia that I shared above, the scaffolding does affect the building’s overall appearance. If, however, you are referring to the mosaics—which are the building’s most important features—then no, as there is nothing to prevent you from seeing all these details.
Where Can I Buy Hagia Sophia Gallery Floor Tickets in 2026?
There are many fake and fraudulent websites appearing under the name ‘Hagia Sophia’ in online search results. At present, you can only purchase tickets for Hagia Sophia from official sources, namely the ticket offices located right at the entrance to the building. Please do not trust the various platforms or offers that appear online.
Can Tourists Still Visit the Main Prayer Hall of Hagia Sophia in 2026?
Unfortunately, no. At present, access is only granted to those wishing to worship on the ground floor of the Hagia Sophia. All visitors are currently still able to visit the galleries on the second floor.
Conclusion
As a tourist guide who was born and raised in Istanbul and has visited and shown visitors around the Hagia Sophia on countless occasions, I must say that a tour of this building is a significant opportunity under any circumstances.
I wanted to show you what this legendary building looks like at the moment, provide some information about the restoration process, and share the latest visitor information. If you have any questions, you can contact me via the contact form here or through my social media accounts.
I could list many reasons to visiting Hagia Sophia in 2026, but alongside analysis and information, I wanted to provide you with an objective article to help you make your own decision. I will continue to share the latest information about Istanbul and Türkiye. Until next time.
