Istanbul Mosques Walking Tour: Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque

At a glance

Istanbul Mosques Walking Tour: Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque is a 4h small-group experience in Istanbul, Turkey, operated by TripGuru. Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 26 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $29 per person, and free cancellation is available. 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).

Quick facts

Duration

4h

Group

Small group, up to 18 travellers

Languages

German, Portuguese, English, Italian, French, Turkish

Pickup

Meet at the start point

Confirmation

Instant confirmation

Ticket

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Cancellation

Free cancellation (see policy)

Overview

Itinerary

1. Stop 1 · 1h

   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.

2. Stop 2 · 1h

   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)"

3. Stop 3 · 1h

   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

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.

Cancellation policy

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

Frequently asked questions