Istanbul Mosques Walking Tour: Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
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.
What To Expect
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
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.
Blue Mosque
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)"
Options
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.
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.
Portuguese Private Entrance
Portuguese Private Entrance: Portuguese Guide with Entrance fees included
German Small Group
Small Group tour in German: Entrance fees not included
English Private Tour Entrance
English Private Tour Entrance: English Guide with Entrance Fee included
French Private Tour Entrance
French Private Tour Entrance: French Guide with Entrance fees included
French Small Group
Small Group French: without Entrance fees
French Small Group Entrance
Small Group French: with entrance fees
Spanish Small Group
Spanish Small Group Tour: excludes Entrance fees (EUR 25 per person).
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.
English & Turkish with entry
Group Tour with entrance fee: Includes Entrance Fees with a bilingual English and Turkish Tour guide. Drinks not 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
Spanish Small Group Entrance
Small Group Tour : Includes Entrance Fees
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.
German Small Group Entrance
Small group tour in German: Entrance fees included
Italian Small Group Entrance
Small Group Tour : Includes Entrance Fees
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.
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)
Lunch or beverages
Personal expenses
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Hagia Sophia (unless inclusive option selected)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
25 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wonderful must-see tour with a fantastic guide
Krissi K,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I really can't recommend this tour enough - especially with Bariş as a guide! This was my second visit to İstanbul and I wanted to revisit some of my favorite sites - Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Süleymaniye Mosque. Therefore, I was delighted to find this tour that covers all three, as most skip Süleymaniye (which is an absolute shame, imho). Luckily, my tour guide that day turned out to be Bariş who was not only super friendly and fun to wander the streets with, but also a fantastic guide with such a great wealth of knowledge - I can't believe I still learnt this much during my second guided visit to these amazing must-see places! Not only did Bariş give me a comprehensive tour of all three sites (I was extremely lucky to have him all for myself that day) with ample time for questions and pictures, he also took the time to stroll through a lovely small bazar (optional, but it was really nice and hassle-free, not the usual tourist trap), have a relaxed Turkish tea and give explanations on so many other notable locations along the way. In addition, he shared with me some great recommendations for additional places to visit in Istanbul that I might have missed without him. After finishing the official tour, we even had another relaxed coffee with another group after and Bariş read our fortunes from the coffee grounds, which was an exciting conclusion to a perfect half-day experience.
Perfect tour to visit these must-see sites!
Kristina K,May 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I really can't recommend this tour enough - especially with Bariş as a guide! This was my second visit to İstanbul and I wanted to revisit some of my favorite sites - Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Süleymaniye Mosque. Therefore, I was delighted to find this tour that covers all three, as most skip Süleymaniye (which is an absolute shame, imho). Luckily, my tour guide that day turned out to be Bariş who was not only super friendly and fun to wander the streets with, but also a fantastic guide with such a great wealth of knowledge - I can't believe I still learnt this much during my second guided visit to these amazing must-see places! Not only did Bariş give me a comprehensive tour of all three sites (I was extremely lucky to have him all for myself that day) with ample time for questions and pictures, he also took the time to stroll through a lovely small bazar (optional, but it was really nice and hassle-free, not the usual tourist trap), have a relaxed Turkish tea and give explanations on so many other notable locations along the way. In addition, he shared with me some great recommendations for additional places to visit in Istanbul that I might have missed without him. After finishing the official tour, we even had another relaxed coffee with another group after and Bariş read our fortunes from the coffee grounds, which was an exciting conclusion to a perfect half-day experience.
Very glad we got to see...
Charles P,May 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very glad we got to see these unique historic places. Our guide Ebru was informative and helpful. We changed the itinerary midway through the tour to allow seeing the Basilica Cistern rather than the third mosque originally planned. Ebru also recommended a nice place for dining that evening.
The beauty and history of Istanbul.
Explore66906243712,May 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We chose the tour of the mosques, 4 hours practically flown with our guide Dafne Ozlem Ozduran, very good and very prepared. We immediately found ourselves in tune. Dafne speaks great Italian and it was really a pleasure to visit mosques and more. A big hug to Daphne, Oriana and Hebe.
Guided tour of Blue, Hagia Sophia and Soleiman mosques with Ferhat guide.
Martín G,May 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful visit to the most iconic and historic mosques in Istanbul! Sites full of importance and our guide, Ferhat, told in detail all the events, additional spots and description of the characters involved in the stories of these places. A kingpin! It made us get into the stories! Greetings from Argentina, Martin and Alexandra.
An unforgettable experience in Istanbul with the guide Çınar
naimaamsif,Apr 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Today we enjoyed one of the best tours we have ever done. Our guide, Çınar, was exceptional: friendly, helpful, always attentive to every detail and our needs. His explanations were clear, interesting and very enriching, not only about the palaces and mosques, but also about the history and culture of Istanbul. He gave us invaluable tips to make the most of our stay in the city. The organization was impeccable and the food, simply delicious. We feel cared for at all times. I recommend this tour without any doubt: not only for the places visited, but for the human and professional quality of Çınar. A guide to ten!
Excellent at will
Escape28888477060,Apr 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Halil our guide was great he guided us through the city while meeting our questions and needs. He was particularly attentive to the needs of our gravely ill daughter and adapted his pace to her. Thank you so much for the time you gave us!
I did go on my own. The...
Karina P,Mar 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I did go on my own. The lady who explained was very knowledgeable and was ready to answer questions and help with pictures
recommended!
Miriam M,Sep 22, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was very prepared, patient (as my father walks very slowly so we had to slow down several times) and very fluent in italian. We really appreciated the tour.
Wonderful Istanbul experience
Tabitha M,Sep 16, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Emrullah was a wonderful guide, very informative and pleasant experience. The mosques were very beautiful and guide is knowledgeable. Highly recommended!
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