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Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii)

Landmark · Sultanahmet · Istanbul

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii)

A floating dome, gold mosaic, carpets and murmured prayer

‹ Istanbul
When it fits
Best in the morning · about 60 min
Your plan checks the real hours for your dates.

Where it is

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Straight-line distances: Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) 136 m · Istanbul Archaeology Museums 368 m · Cağaloğlu Hamamı 436 m. Not travel times.

Why Aura
Justinian's 6th-century church under one of the great domes of the world, a mosque again since 2020. Byzantine mosaics, Ottoman roundels and the light through forty windows; go early and plan around prayer times.
IconicGo earlyFine in the rain
Photo tip · Aura editorial

Morning, when the low sun comes through the east windows · from From Sultanahmet Square near the fountain, the domes and minarets together

Today09:00–19:30
All hoursMo-Su 09:00-19:30 (checked 2026-04-24)
Visit lengthAbout 60 min
WeatherIndoorsUsed by the rain swap in Live
EffortSome slopes or steps
Sources and dates (5)
  • When it fits: Aura editorial estimate.
  • Today: OpenStreetMap (checked 2026-04-24)
  • Visit length: Aura estimate
  • Effort: Aura estimate
  • Tags are Aura editorial judgement.

Why, feel, tags and tips are Aura editorial. Hours and positions come from OpenStreetMap; prices only when read from a named source on a date. Ratings and reviews are not shown: no provider is connected in this build, and under EEA terms Google ratings may appear only inside Google’s own place card.

Official site ↗Directions in Google Maps ↗ (opens Google; Aura sends only the coordinates)OpenStreetMap record ↗Wikipedia ↗

Also in this area

Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii)Sultanahmet · Sultan Ahmed I's six-minaret mosque facing Hagia Sophia across the square, its interior lined with thousands of blue İznik tiles. Visit between prayers, dressed with shoulders and knees covered, and leave your shoes at the door.Topkapı PalaceSultanahmet · The Ottoman sultans' palace for nearly four centuries: a sequence of courtyards, kiosks, the Harem and the Treasury on the headland above the Bosphorus. The combined ticket covers the palace, the Harem and Hagia Irene; arrive at opening, it is closed on Tuesdays.Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı)Sultanahmet · A 6th-century underground water reservoir: a forest of columns standing in shallow water, lit low, with two Medusa heads reused as column bases at the far end. A cool, dark break from the Sultanahmet crowds.