If you are planning to visit Istanbul and want to explore the magnificent Hagia Sophia, it is highly recommended to prepare your plan in advance. İt is always looking good on social media posts. However there are always downsides of these types of popular attractions in Istanbul.That’s why you should be ready for the reality you will most likely face.
Hagia Sophia is no longer Museum. The iconic building is located in Sultanahmet square (oldtown). If you are staying near the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome or Basilica Cistern; it’s not a big deal to find the building since it’s near to them. Otherwise the easiest option is public transportation, specifically Tram 1 to get the location. The building opens at 10 am and the entrance is free. All you have to do is follow the queue in order to get in.
The article answers following questions:
– How to visit Hagia Sophia? (What is the entrance fee?)
– How long will it take to visit Hagia Sophia?
– What is the best way to visit Hagia Sophia?
– What should you be wearing to visit Hagia Sophia?
– Do you need a tour for Hagia Sophia?
How To Visit Hagia Sophia
When you searched the name of Istanbul from Google, one of the must see places is undoubtedly Hagia Sophia. Therefore the most common question is “How to visit Hagia Sophia?”. It’s located in the center of the city (actually the whole world click here to see why).
That makes it most easy to access. As a Professional tour guide, I always suggest to my guests public transportation in Istanbul. It’s the most effective way to achieve the locations on time. Besides embracing the city, understanding the urban structure, picturing views and meeting with new people always takes your travel experience to another level.
Since July 24th, 2020 Hagia Sophia is free. The building was converted from a museum into a mosque. I can see from the other side of the screen that you are delighted about the news because it’s free. Although it might actually be the red alarm for travellers’ experience.
So the combination of the formula: Hagia Sophia + easy to locate + FREE = CROWD.
Normally visiting Hagia Sophia is a piece of cake. The building accepts visitors from 10 am to 10 pm. Getting ready for dress code, no need for ticket and follow the queue. In reality, hours of queuing and other downsides along with it. But do not give up early before reading this article. Lucky you have @atourguideinconstantinople on your side.
How Long Will It Take To Visit Hagia Sophia
The answer of this question depends on the profile of the traveller inasmuch as there are unknown factors (location of the hotel, Is it the off season or season etc). Here’s the calculation on the average day with an average guest profile.
Let’s get started with adding 30 minutes of transportation (If you’re staying nearby you can miss this step). Waiting to get in can take 2 hours, maybe more in actual season (season begins from May and continues until the end of September). Nevertheless, I do count it as 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you are not prepared for the dress code, it means 10 to 15 min. of additional time loss to buy a scarf or body cover right after the security check (inside). Finally 45 minutes of visiting (average). Totally 3 hours.
If you have left the hotel at 9.30 am, by the time you are done with Hagia Sophia it is 12.30 o’clock.
What you should be concerned about is queuing. That can change your timing calculations to visit Hagia Sophia. Certainly I have alternative solutions to handle the lines at least with less scratch. Good news, as you noticed, most of the time loses on your hands.
(Please do not trust the online websites which offer skip the lines for Hagia Sophia. All visitors (including prayers) are sharing the same entrance. That’s why it is not possible to get inside with fast track entry)
What Is The Best Way To Visit Hagia Sophia
The way is beginning before you make your decisions. Here’s my recommendations to the visitors of this timeless masterpiece as a Professional tour guide.
- Act Consciously. If the building can not be reachable in less than 2 hours, especially in seasons, there’s no point to lose time with hours of lines. Save it for 20.00 may be 21.00 o’clock instead futilely losing 3 hours from your life.
- Temperature. Classic scenario is between 25 – 30 °C in the summer. There’s nowhere to hide when you’re queuing for Hagia Sophia. It feels like almost 10 minutes every second passing under that sun. Either bring an umbrella with you or please make your Schedule between 10.00 – 12.00 / 16.00 – 21.00. (Stay hydrated and use Sun Cream)
- Choose the place you’re going to stay more wisely. Most of the time, I have been witnessing the stories of the tourists about “How did they got lost, Why they were late and so on”. Decision of the hotel is the most crucial factor in this matter. (See the articles about Choosing Hotel or Bosphorus Hotels) Consider transportation options near the hotel and plan your strategy. When it’s only walking distance to Hagia Sophia, it’s more likely to visit in an optimal experience. (Suggestion; You can save it after your dinner to visit Hagia Sophia)
- Guide. When I was travelling around the World, I do not recall, I have never said to a pilot on a plane “Step aside captain, be a good vlad and go get me a Turkish Coffee.” That’s why you should hire a Professional Tour Guide. I have been guiding for many years and also studying history. I can increase your experience in every manner.
What You Should Be Wearing To Visit Hagia Sophia
The Ladies have to cover their hair with head scarves, dressing has to cover the upper body and under knees as much as possible. There’s no place to change at Hagia Sophia. If you don’t have any scarf with you; you can purchase a full body cover or scarf after the security check on the left side (Pricing may alter so I am not leaving any list. But full cover is 30 Turkish Lira and Scarf 10 Lira for now).
I am usually reminding my guests about the dress policy of the Hagia Sophia, on the other hand men are being eliminated this time (especially on summers with shorts). The men also have to be dressed at least with shorts under the knee.
Here’s the little list of clothes are OK to wear visiting of the Hagia Sophia:
– Jeans, Shorts under the knee (for both W&M), Skirt under the knee as much as possible, Long dress, Shirts (under the elbow of both W&M) and leggings are alright when you complete it with some baggy shirts.
Do You Need Tour For Hagia Sophia
Having a local tour guide provides numerous benefits when exploring a new destination like Istanbul. Furthermore, for Hagia Sophia, it is essential to have some Professional help. I believe you have learnt so many things in this article already. But it doesn’t mean you can deal with 15 centuries of history on your own. Imagine you are walking into a hospital without any doctor in it.
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