Every year tourists come to Istanbul with the dream of the Hagia Sophia. It’s on the 1st line of the Istanbul visitors’ to-do list. The rule breaking building, no matter how many times people get to Istanbul, is always one of the primary stops. Final result is usually getting more and more painful due to crowds. Here’s the truth that no one wants you to know.
Is there any way to skip the line of the Hagia Sopia? – The answer to this question is not going to make you happy. Since the building was converted into a mosque on July 24th, 2020, the building is free. Apparently the conversion from museum to mosque did affect the number of visitors. According to statistics of the Hagia Sophia, 13 Million 656 Thousand and 229 people did visit the building in 2022.
Let’s go into a little more detail about what is expected of you and what are my solutions to the lines of the Hagia Sophia as @atourguideinconstantinople.
Is It Possible To Cut The Lines Of Hagia Sophia
I have been experiencing Hagia Sophia for many years. When It was a museum, you could do your own reservation with a local agent and they could get you inside without any ticket line.
Things have changed and it’s not even settled down yet. There’s no division between visitors and prayers. Everyone shares the same entrance. In addition to all, there are only two portals on the security.
As you can expect, the final result is hours of lines to get inside of the Hagia Sophia.
I want you to get ready with the bare facts of 2023’s Hagia Sophia. That’s why I prepared ‘How To Visit Hagia Sophia In 2023’. This guideline will answer most of your questions. If you have something to ask someone, you can reach me via my social media accounts, mail address or directly from WhatsApp.
Do You Need A Ticket To Visit Hagia Sophia
You don’t need a ticket, reservation or any kind of bookings to visit the Hagia Sophia. Here’s why.
If you’ve had yours before the Hagia Sopia was converted into a mosque, as you can remember, the museum entry with tickets was a requirement.
Since It’s Mosque, there is no need to pay an entrance fee. However you should be ready for the dress code and the other obligations of the building such as security checks.
Please be more conscious about the online Websites who are putting forward to sell you a ticket or promising you to skip the lines of the building. If there’s a recent update about it, I will inform you about it.
Most of the main causes of these types of situations, no matter how easy to reach the information we need to look up for, it’s hard to find the real answers. So stay in touch, in any case you can get in touch with me.
What Not To Miss At Hagia Sophia
I have been guiding for many years and the Hagia Sophia is the most sophisticated building in Istanbul.
There are some really important things that I don’t want you to miss. Here I present my list:
- The Wishing Column. It’s located on the corner from the left hand side of the interior (The last column of female praying site after the portals). Because of a myth, people believe when you wish something from the column, it will make it true. So try your chance (Mine is never turned to truth If you just read this and we never met in my tours).
- The Mosaic of Constantine and Justinian. The Mosaic is just before the exit (You can not miss it because of the reflection). It’s dated 10th Century AD and is the most impressive mosaic you can see in 2023’s Hagia Sophia without any interruption.
- The Hand of Mary. One of the easiest ways to find it, get to the main interior, follow the right wing of the building, finish the path behind the giant columns and there you go. It’s on the side of marbel platform, above the ground level, about 3 and a half meters.
- The Apse. From ground to top, the semi dome, it’s the highest peak of both Roman and Ottoman art. Do not miss the calligraphic letters and the pure masterpiece (mosaic) behind white curtains.
Conclusion: Hagia Sophia Tours
It’s too hard to convey true feelings and details on the Web. You have to have 100% organic experience in the field.
In my tours, I usually fill in the fundamental parts of the history. Then move on to my curtain and assist you with precious stories of the Hagia Sophia. The building has tons of offers, legends and secrets to reveal.
As a travel enthusiast and a professional tour guide, I have always cared for the needs of my guests. Therefore it’s my duty to defend your interests. Being actively on the field for many years brought me above a certain level of knowledge. I have already faced and dealt with the issues you can possibly come across with. I also did absorb the history of the building to create and prove my difference. The travellers who trusted me, received my full support and hospitality. In addition to setting their goals in the city where I was born, I did also shed light to show the ways of managing their time in the most efficient ways. Use my experience in order to feel confident as if it’s your own city!
All you have to do is texting these words;
“I need a tour guide”
Oğulcan ÖZDİL, Founder & Professional Tour Guide