Istanbul Mosques Walking Tour: Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque

Active

(22 reviews)

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

Instant confirmation

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

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.

Available options

Italian Guide Small Group Tour

Small Group Tour : Includes Entrance Fees

English Private Tour Entrance

English Private Tour Entrance: English Guide with Entrance Fee included

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.

Join In German Guide Entrance

Small group tour in German: Entrance fees included

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.

English & Turkish with entry

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

Join In German Guide

Small Group tour in German: Entrance fees not included

French Private Tour Entrance

French Private Tour Entrance: French Guide with Entrance fees included

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.

Spanish Private Tour Entrance

Spanish Private Tour Entrance: Spanish Guide with Entrance Fees included

Portuguese Private Entrance

Portuguese Private Entrance: Portuguese Guide with Entrance fees included

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 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.

Italian Private Tour Entrance

Italian Private Tour Entrance: Italian Guide with Entrance fees included

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 Guide Small Group Tour

Small Group Tour : Includes Entrance Fees

What's included

English and Turkish, Spanish, Italian, German-speaking tour guide (please, select the option)

Local drink at a historical Madrasah (depending on the package selected)

Detailed itinerary

Stop 1

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.

Stop 2

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)"

Stop 3

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.

What's not included

Lunch or beverages

Personal expenses

Hotel pick-up and drop-off

Hagia Sophia (unless inclusive option selected)

Available languages

Guide guide

DE PT EN IT FR TR ES

Reviews breakdown

Viator 5.0

13 reviews

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

Tripadvisor 5.0

9 reviews

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

Important information

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.

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.

Important notes

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.

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.