Hagia Sophia is a historical and religious symbol of Istanbul, with an exciting blend of Catholic and Islamic elements!
Every year, more than 13 million visitors explore the Mosque since it provides a memorable experience for pilgrims, history, and art lovers alike.
Visitors planning to explore the stunning Hagia Mosque must know these seven tips to plan the best experience and leave without disappointments!
Avoid visiting the Mosque during the Friday afternoon prayer hours.
The Mosque is closed in the afternoon, from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm on Fridays, to accommodate local pilgrims for prayer.
Foreign visitors cannot enter the mosque during these hours, so it will remain closed to the public.
Most visitors are not aware of these timings and end up missing their chance to explore the religious monument.
Also, remember that only locals are allowed to enter the main prayer area of the Mosque on all days, so you might not be able to offer prayers here as a foreigner.
The only spaces open to explore for all are the visiting and second-level mosaic areas.
Wear shoes without laces to take them off easily outside the Mosque.
All locals and tourists entering the Mosque must leave behind their shoes to respect the holy ground of the space.
We recommend wearing slip-on shoes on velcro sandals so you can easily take them off at the entrance.
Finding a place to sit or lean against to remove your shoes with laces or other complicated footwear options can be difficult.
However, you can enter with socks on, so there is no need to worry about taking those off.
Mosaics in the prayer area are covered up, so don’t forget to explore the Second floor.
Since the Catholic mosaics clash with the religious Islamic prayers and services happening inside the Mosque, all the mosaics in this area are covered up.
Don’t worry—you can still explore the mosque’s second-floor gallery area, which contains all of the ancient mosaics!
However, locals can enjoy seeing the mosaics inside the prayer area when they are uncovered before and after the prayer services.
The prayers happen for 15 minutes, with a 1 hour 15 minute interval after.
Plan your visit between September and March for the least crowded and pleasant weather.
The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is the least crowded between September and March, except for December, since it is the off-peak tourism season.
If you cannot visit when Turkey is draped in snow, we recommend the pleasant months of September and October.
During these Autumn months, the weather is warm and pleasant enough to allow long hours of exploration of the attractions.
Since it is the off-peak season, you can also expect to find the least crowding and get entry tickets at a more affordable price!
Carry a headscarf and go for a more modest look, with long sleeves and long trousers.
The Mosque’s strict dress code requires women and men to wear tops and shirts that do not expose their shoulders.
Visitors are also not allowed to wear short skirts or knee-length dresses and pants that expose their feet.
Women cannot enter the Mosque without wearing a scarf or any other head covering.
If you are not following the dress code, you can buy a headscarf or cover-up for cheap at the Mosque’s entrance.
Check out our Hagia Sophia dress code article to know about other clothing restrictions you must follow when exploring the Mosque.
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Discover more about Hagia Sophia history on a guided tour or visit the Museum.
The Guided tour is the best choice to discover more about Hagia Sophia’s ever-changing history, from a Church to a Mosque to a Museum and back to a Mosque again!
Every mosaic and structure inside the space reflects these changes, with a deep backstory that you can only learn more about from a guide.
Since the Mosque demands a completely silent visit, every tour comes with headphones so you can learn more while following the rules.
If you have spare time, we recommend visiting the Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum!
It offers an immersive 3D experience with many audio-visual learning guides and even ancient artifacts from the historic Hagia Sophia Museum!
It stands just beside the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum in Sultanahmet Square and is a 5-minute walk from the Mosque.
Do not carry food on your trip. Instead, explore the surrounding restaurants and cafes.
As a rule, food items and beverages are not allowed inside the Mosque since it is a sacred space.
So, instead of dealing with the hassles of hiding food in your bags, we recommend visiting some of the affordable Restaurants near Hagia Mosque!
You can find some of the best food outlets near the Mosque, from the best Turkish cuisine to great Indian and Italian restaurants.
Visitors can enjoy a lavish and delicious meal on the roofs of restaurants while enjoying a scenic view of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Mosque.
Check out our article on the Best restaurants near Hagia Sophia to discover the most affordable places to have a light snack or meal!
FAQs on Tips for visiting Hagia Sophia
What to know before visiting the Hagia Sophia?
You must take your shoes off before entering the Mosque.
What do I need to wear in Hagia Sophia?
To enter, wear clothes with long sleeves. Men should wear long trousers or jeans. Women can also wear long dresses and skirts. Ladies must also wear a head covering, like a scarf.
When should I plan a visit to the Mosque?
You should plan a visit between September and March for the least crowds and pleasant weather. You can also find more affordable tickets online during these months.
What time of the week is the Mosque closed to the public?
The Mosque is closed for afternoon prayers on Fridays from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm.
Where can I see the mosaics inside the Mosque?
You can see most of the mosaics on the second level of the Mosque.
Can I carry water inside the Mosque?
You can carry a small bottle of water inside the Mosque, but you cannot drink the water inside.
What is the entry fee to explore the Hagia Mosque?
The standard Hagia Sophia tickets with skip-the-line entry access to the space cost ₺ 1,204 (€36) for adults under 100 years and are valid until the Mosque closes.
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