Hagia Sophia

Built in 537 AD as a Byzantine cathedral, later converted to a mosque under the Ottomans and a museum in 1934, Hagia Sophia reverted to mosque status in 2020. Its vast dome, Byzantine mosaics, and Islamic calligraphy panels make it a must-see for visitors to Istanbul, though it now operates under mosque visiting hours and dress codes rather than standard museum admission.

Planning your visit

Hagia Sophia was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years. Justinian completed it in 537, and the dome — 31 metres across, ringed with windows so that it appears to float — changed what architecture was understood to be capable of. It served as the Orthodox cathedral of Constantinople, was briefly Catholic after the Fourth Crusade, became a mosque in 1453 after the Ottoman conquest, and was made a museum by Atatürk in 1934.

In 2020 it reverted to mosque status, and that is the crucial practical point for visitors. It now operates under mosque rules rather than museum ones: dress codes apply, women cover their heads, shoes are removed, and it closes to visitors during prayer times. Some mosaics are curtained during prayer.

What remains visible is extraordinary — the Byzantine mosaics of Christ, the Virgin and imperial figures, alongside the enormous Ottoman calligraphic roundels, layered in one space.

Queues are substantial. Bookable options include skip-the-line experiences and guided history tours. Current availability is listed below.