The paid entrance to Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is now a separate entrance for tourists who can enter the mosque only on the second floor by buying a ticket at the box office.
Tourists can no longer visit Hagia Sophia for free. According to Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, starting January 15, 2024, foreign tourists will have to pay an entrance fee of 25 euros (about $27) to enter the mosque and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hagia Sophia has been welcoming tourists free of charge since 2020, when the government designated it a mosque and resumed Muslim worship there. It was built almost 1500 years ago as a Byzantine cathedral and is one of the most popular attractions in Turkey.
The government has differentiated between the way tourists and believers enter the building. Instead of the main entrance, tourists will now enter through a ramp and a tunnel. They will only have access to the gallery floor.
What tourists can now see in Hagia Sofia
In the gallery on the second floor, visitors can see Byzantine mosaics, Ottoman additions, and the floor of the mosque’s sanctuary. They can also pass through the so-called “gates of heaven and hell,” an area that was previously off-limits.
In order not to disturb the faithful, there is a mandatory headset system with a QR application, through which visitors can receive information in 23 languages. Guides can no longer accompany groups on a tour of Hagia Sophia.
The government also added surveillance cameras, fire detectors, and an emergency notification system.
How much does a flight to Hagia Sofia cost?
The ticket price is €25 or 850 lira. It is open to both foreigners and Turkish citizens who want to get to the second floor of Hagia Sophia.
Admission for children under 8 years old is free
The entrance to Hagia Sophia is not included in the Istanbul Museum Map.
Hagia Sofia now has free Wi-Fi and an audio guide in 23 languages. You need a smartphone and headphones. If you don’t have headphones with you, you can buy them on the spot for 100 lira.
Technology allows us to see all the mosaics that come to life with the help of BP technologies
Requirements for women to visit Hagia Sophia as a tourist: you still need to wear a headscarf. No need to take off your shoes.
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