Santa Sofía Reviews

Nice hall views and good collection from there history

Great place! You must see! When you look up you're going to see the meaning of greatness

Most palce to visit in Istanbul. One of greatest historic monumental architecture.

Omg ! No matter from which angle you look at it
This is a place everyone shouldn't miss from their bucket list !

Personally I haven't found anything interesting there

Magnificent structure! Getting there early is the key. Cats of Hagia Sofia are an interesting watch too.

Wow. It is amazing. Was under restoration when visited. But still worth it.

great historic place! amazing architecture! centre of the world!

The museum itself is definitely worth seeing.
It was unexpected that there were no queues at the ticket office.
Until December 3, an exhibition of Islamic caligraphy.

Love love love this place and can't wait to go again. So much history and beauty to take in

It's on of the fantastic historical places I have visit on my life.

Historical place, Turkish Architecture. Transit from one religion to another is clearly seen. How rulership impacts the architecture of the space.

One of the most beautiful sightseeing in the world.... Asia - Euro connection.

One of the most beautifull monuments in Constantinople. Make sure to arrive early in the morning (around 9) preferably not on Sundays as it is overcrouded. The ticket is 60 lira and there is a VIP ticket where you can get in faster with 70 lira.

Do not miss out the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) when you visit Istanbul.

Must visit place. Best time is afternoon to evening.

One of the most interesting tourist attraction near istanbul.Its located in sultanhamet.We can use tram to reach sultanhamet from major cities nearby.Hagia sophia (Ayasofia) is one of the oldest but beautiful cathedrals in turkey. They will close their entrance at 6pm and you can get local guides if you want .Blue mosque is jus outside the cathedral. Waterfall in front is beautifully maintained

A very unique building that shares both Islamic and Christian features, added with the story behind the building, it makes the place definitely worth a visit.

The beautiful heritage, easy to reach with public transport (train) from airport to site. The history of the building: the first use was church in byzantine empire - mosque in ottoman chalipate/empire - became museum in turkey state

A combination of both the byzantine era as well as the ottoman, has mosaics surrounding the walls and also glass mosaics along windows. Audio guide available to rent for 30 lira in many languages. Has two floors, the second floor is accessible through a spiralling ramp. Has good displays including the sarcophagus of emperess irene.

A historic place. It was a church. Then a mosque... Ends to be a museum.. I'm the area of Sultan ahmet

So rich in history and splendour. Not to be missed!!!

My third visit. Ever time it's still a wow. But it's getting a lot more crowded. Recommend to visit when first open at 9am.

Looking to see a part of history, then this is a must for anyone who loves history. Despite the ques at the entrance, trust me you will not be disappointed.

Must see.. ticket 40 TL , around 9 euro... 2 floors to see.. amazing view.. half of it under construction a little crowded

1500. years old. Built by Byzantian emperor Justinianus. During the opening ceremony Justinianus said that " I pass you" meaning Suleyman the prophet who constractor of Jewish main temple in Jarussalem. St Sophia is bigger than Suleyman's temple.

One of the most important landmarks in Istanbul, the history and sanctity of this place has been preserved very well. If you're looking to take a peek into the Byzantine era, do visit this monument!

One of the must visit church in the world. If you have been to St Peter's church, this is the one you cannot miss. It predates it for few hundred years, and still standing with its historical legacy.

I wish its single ticket was a little cheeper, but it doesn't worth 72 TL at all!

Head to this beautiful hybrid of Christian and Islamic culture after looking through Topkapi Palace Museum, especially the calligraphy gallery within Topkapi Palace and suddenly Hagia Sophia made a lot more connections to its nearby buildings and its place in history. Highly recommended!

Amazing Historical building, unfortunately i got bad impressions there with no clear reason

Hagia Sophia is more then museum , this place is the old sign of Christianity era ,it's a reflection of the glory of the Byzantine Empire and Constantinople.

Here is a great tip to avoid queues and save tons of time at Hagia Sophia: MUSEUM PASS ISTANBUL.
It only costs around 23 USD / 19 EUR / 17 GBP and is valid for 5 days.
You can purchase the pass online or at the museum pass counter in one of the less crowded museums close to Hagia Sophia, such as Istanbul Archaeology Museum or Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art.
With the museum pass you can go directly to the priority lane dedicated to museum pass.

Here is the list of museums where you can use your pass:

Hagia Sophia Museum, Topkap Palace Museum, Istanbul Archaeology Museum, Istanbul Mosaic Museum, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, Museum for the History of Science and Technology in Islam, Chora Museum, Galata Mevlevi House Museum, Yildiz Palace, Rumeli Hisar Museum.

Wonderful place to visit. 72TL entry fee. Closed at Monday.

The best place to look at wonders created thousands of years before.

More than a five star place. Today the Hagia Sophia is 1478 years old, and has survived hundreds of earthquakes throughout history. It age, size, magnificence, architecture and mystical atmosphere make it truly a unique place in the world.

Very interesting place and big history really like the place

One of the must visit places in istanbul. The place has very old historic value and became a central icon to show care the historical significance of istanbul throughout the past 2000 years or so as the place changed from being used as a cathedral to a mosque.

Love the mosaics! :-) currently the left wing is under renovation so we cannot get a panoramic view of the entire place. But still, love how it is well preserved! Imagine it veing 1500 years old already!

It's one of national treasure of the Bysantium era at Istambul Turkey and have a nice place to visit

The museum is stunning. If you don't get the headset, there's a video that runs for about 30 minutes just before you walk upstairs. Take the time to watch it. It gives you insight into the history of the museum. Highly recommended

Built in 5 years time but 47 years and still counting to renovate....what a marvelous construction by Byzantine...

The second most important place after the Acropolis - Parthenon in Athens

Looks bigger than it actually is. Lots of work going on at the moment.

A really good lifetime experience learning about the history of such a buliding that jas endured almost two milleniums

Shame the renovations were in place but you've got to marvel at the place...

A magnificent Byzantine architecture to visit especially when you learnt a bit of the history about Hague Sophia in its old days. Wise to attend a guided tour. If you re lucky, you may meet cats lying lazily on the ground. Up to 2 hours for the visit should be enough.

We always wait more from this kind spaces and the museificstion of this case is very low

It's not a Museum. Just an old Mosque cum church. An old historic building. The ticket per person is 72 TL. It's expensive for a building. Blue mosque is better to visit with no ticket.

Highly recommended. Don't bother with a guide. Walking slowly and read the history given on the signs.
The building drips history.

Hagia Sofia is a superb Museum ...displaying Muslim and Christians history in ancient times

A great museum that details the rise of emperor Byzantine and Christianity. A must see

An amazing building (it's been both a mosque & church & was the largest building & domed building for hundreds of years, it's the birthplace of Christianity (where emperor Constantine was coronated, who started it) & every eastern Roman emperor was crowned. Now a museum.

It's in the middle of repairs so there is a huge scaffolding in the main room. It took away from some of the ambiance. It also had a lot of Islamic propaganda. It didn't really give Christianity equal billing. It even talked about Christianity as myth instead of verifiable fact...

Best time to visit is in the morning. You will find less queue.

20 lira entrance, weekends have especially long lines so either go during the week or buy a museum pass elsewhere or from automats to avoid waiting in line.
A Magnificent cathedral which was also the largest until Seville cathedral was built. Built my the byzantians, reverred by the Ottomans, and considered sacred throughout history, this is a must see place for history / architecture buffs.
There are some repairs going on (as of 2017 dec) which sacrifices getting a feel of the space in its entirety but still worth it if you cannot wait to postpone your visit to when it s completed.

Amazing architectural design and historical mosque! This is a must see museum when visiting Istanbul.
Entrance fee is 60TL

This place is a miracle. So many legends, stories, breathtaking art elements.

It is truly the greatest surviving example of byzantine architecture