Attraction
Topkapı Palace
The sprawling Ottoman palace on Seraglio Point, with courtyards, the Harem, imperial treasury displays and Bosphorus views, plus the Byzantine church of Hagia Irene.
Hagia Sophia
Justinian's sixth-century domed basilica, now the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, with a separate visitor route through its upper galleries above the prayer hall.
At a glance
- Type
- Mosque and Byzantine monument
- Area
- Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Official site
- muze.gen.tr
Good to know
- Visitor gallery route
- Headscarf and cover hire
Why we recommend it
Built under Emperor Justinian in the sixth century and reclassified as a mosque in 2020, Hagia Sophia still defines the Istanbul skyline. Sightseers no longer wander the main prayer floor; instead a dedicated visitor route climbs to the upper galleries, from where you look down into the immense domed interior and see surviving Byzantine mosaics alongside giant Ottoman calligraphy roundels.
Foreign visitors need a ticket, and the visitor area closes during Friday midday prayers, so plan your day around that. Arrive close to opening to avoid the longest queues, dress modestly and carry a scarf, although covers can be hired at the booth. The Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern are both a few minutes' walk away, making this the natural start to a Sultanahmet day.
Hagia Sophia FAQs
Is there an entry fee?
Yes — foreign visitors pay €25; children under 8 enter free with an accompanying adult and valid ID, and museum passes are not accepted.
Is there a dress code?
Yes — modest dress is required and women must cover their hair; headscarves (€1) and body covers (€3) can be rented at the ticket booth.