Istanbul Mosques Walking Tour: Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque

5.0 (26 reviews) 4 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

26 reviews

5.0

Istanbul Mosques Walking Tour: Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Istanbul Mosques Walking Tour: Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover Istanbul’s art, architecture, history, culture, and faith in some of the city’s most beloved places of worship

Visit Hagia Sophia, one of the country’s most iconic landmarks

Snap photos of the Blue Mosque and learn how this grand building got its nickname

See Suleymaniye Mosque, an architectural masterpiece designed by renowned architect Mimar Sinan

Enjoy the intimacy of a private/small group tour

Last-minute booking is available for the meeting point option

Hagia Sophia information.

To enhance your experience and avoid long queues, we require that all visitors, whether on a group tour or a private tour, purchase skip-the-line tickets in advance. For that matter, we will send you a link where you can purchase it after confirming the booking. Queues can delay the tour up to 2 hours.

Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Walking Tours Religious Tours Excellent Quality Additional fees Short term availability

At a glance

Duration: 4 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 18 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: German, Portuguese, English, Italian, French, Turkish, Spanish
Operated by: TripGuru

Ages: Adults (6–65 years)

What is included

Included

Included: English and Turkish, Spanish, Italian, German-speaking tour guide (please, select the option)
Included: Local drink at a historical Madrasah (depending on the package selected)

Not included

Not included: Lunch or beverages
Not included: Personal expenses
Not included: Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Not included: Entrance fees: Hagia Sophia (unless inclusive option selected)

Itinerary

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

one hour Admission not included

Built in the sixth century A.D. by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, this famous mosque was originally an Orthodox Christian cathedral in early day Constantinople (now Istanbul). In its nearly 1,500 years, this iconic landmark has been used as a Catholic church, mosque, and museum.

To enhance your experience and avoid long queues, we require that all visitors, whether on a group tour or a private tour, purchase skip-the-line tickets in advance. For that matter, we will send you a link where you can purchase it after confirming the booking. Queues can delay the tour up to 2 hours.
Blue Mosque

one hour

The mosque was originally named The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, after Sultan Ahmed I who built it. Back in the early 1600s, mosques were built only by sultans who had achieved success in war. Despite having no colorful achievements to his name and against his counselors’ advice, Sultan Ahmed built this grand edifice that would serve as his most lasting legacy. Today, it is nicknamed the Blue Mosque due to the blue hue coming from the blue tiles outlaid in geometric patterns and floral designs in the mosque

Note: "Blue Mosque will be closed for renovation from January 1st, 2023. Instead, you can visit another iconic Istanbul Mosque: Yeni Cami (the New Mosque)"
Suleymaniye Mosque

one hour

Located on the Third Hill of Istanbul, the Suleymaniye was known as the largest mosque in the city for more than 450 years before it was dethroned of its title in 2019. Other than its stunning size, this mosque was also designed by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan, one of the most notable figures in Istanbul’s architectural history.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meeting Point: Sultanahmet area | German Fountain (Address: Binbirdirek, Atmeydanı Cd., 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Kindly be at your meeting point at least 10 minutes before the stated meeting time. The tour guides will only wait a maximum of 10 minutes for you before proceeding to the next stop.

End point

Meeting Point: Sultanahmet area | German Fountain (Address: Binbirdirek, Atmeydanı Cd., 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Kindly be at your meeting point at least 10 minutes before the stated meeting time. The tour guides will only wait a maximum of 10 minutes for you before proceeding to the next stop.

Using your ticket

Scarf or clothes to cover the shoulders, knees, and head at the mosque

Camera

Hat/umbrella

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

Comfortable shoes

Bug spray

Cash (for personal expenses)

Please note that during peak seasons, long queues are anticipated at Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, potentially leading to extended tour durations.

As this tour includes visits to religious temples, the itinerary may be adjusted, extended, or shortened due to changes in prayer times throughout the year.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
As this tour includes visits to religious temples, the itinerary may be adjusted, extended, or shortened due to changes in prayer times throughout the year.
Museum cards are not accepted.
Hagia Sophia upper gallery is accessible by stairs, it's not recommended for tourists with mobility issues.
Knees and shoulders must be covered. Headscarf is mandatory for women and can be purchased at the entrance.
It is strongly recommended to purchase Hagia Sophia skip-the-line tickets (25 EUR) in advance. The activity provider will assist with this process by sending you a purchase link via email if you don't select the inclusive option. Customers without skip-the-line tickets may face a queue of 1-2 hours at the site.

Options

English Guide Private Tour

Private Tour

Entry not included.: Hagia Sophia Entrance fee (EUR 25) is not included. It is strongly recommended to purchase skip-the-line tickets in advance.
Spanish Small Group Entrance

Small Group Tour : Includes Entrance Fees
Portuguese Guide Private Tour

Private Tour

Entry not included: Hagia Sophia Entrance fee (EUR 25) is not included. It is strongly recommended to purchase skip-the-line tickets in advance.
Spanish Small Group

Spanish Small Group Tour: excludes Entrance fees (EUR 25 per person).
German Guide Private Tour

Private Tour

Entry not included.: Hagia Sophia Entrance fee (EUR 25) is not included. It is strongly recommended to purchase skip-the-line tickets in advance.
Italian Guide Private Tour

Private with Italian Guide

Entry not included.: Hagia Sophia Entrance fee (EUR 25) is not included. It is strongly recommended to purchase skip-the-line tickets in advance.
Portuguese Private Entrance

Portuguese Private Entrance: Portuguese Guide with Entrance fees included
Spanish Private Tour Entrance

Spanish Private Tour Entrance: Spanish Guide with Entrance Fees included
English Private Tour Entrance

English Private Tour Entrance: English Guide with Entrance Fee included
Spanish Guide Private Tour

Private with Spanish Guide

Entry not included.: Hagia Sophia Entrance fee (EUR 25) is not included. It is strongly recommended to purchase skip-the-line tickets in advance.
English and Turkish Group Tour

Entrance fee not included: Bilingual English and Turkish tour without Hagia Sophia Entrance fee included (EUR 25). Drinks not included.
Italian Small Group Entrance

Small Group Tour : Includes Entrance Fees
English & Turkish with entry

Group Tour with entrance fee: Includes Entrance Fees with a bilingual English and Turkish Tour guide. Drinks not included.
Italian Private Tour Entrance

Italian Private Tour Entrance: Italian Guide with Entrance fees included
French Private Tour Entrance

French Private Tour Entrance: French Guide with Entrance fees included