Santa Sofía Reviews

It is a good place to shop regardless of the huge traffic, very clean and organized.

Probably, one of the best attractions in Istanbul, along side with Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower and the ferry in the Bosphorus. I strongly recommend a visit in this place full of history and different cultures (home of different faiths over the times). This is the 3rd Hagia Sophia in the same place, since the first one have burnt and the second one destroyed during riots. Fantastic interior. We have visited one a Saturday during August and we waited around 30min to enter. It wasn't too bad or croudy. You can use here the Istanbul museum card.

Rich in history, really showed the marriage between Christian and Muslim culture. Too bad that it is still under construction, so we couldn't fully enjoy the wide view

Old and beautiful, visit this place at least one time

Istanbul, you would love. For visiting history that standing tall

For those who love history and sightseers a definitely place to see.

Beautiful architecture with an opportunity to climb up stairs to next floor and peer out the windows, worth the queue and price!

Incredible structure, sad how the center of Christianity ended after 911 years

A blend of two religious endeavors that remains today as a reminder that all people can find a common ground

Just the place to see. Very beautiful and emotional place if you interested in the Christian history in Turkey

The only complain i have is that if there is a construction work going on due to which almost 40% of the site is closed to the visitors, then the ticket price should be cheaper. we were 2 people paid full price of the ticket and were only able to visit and see around 60 % of the site. we are really upset due to this fact.

Loved it, amazing experience! Obviously a non-miss, but easily worth the wait (which wasn't so long anyway).

Amazing, breath taking monument, unique experience!

I visited Hagia Sophia in Sep 2019. A part of the museum was under restoration so most of the photos have lot of scaffolding in them! :( It was a experience visithing Hagia Sophia. It definitely lives upto tue hype. Plus in the evenings it's entirely lit up & looks soectacular. Do not miss it for the world when in Istanbul!

A cultural monument of monumental significance. A place to elevate your spirit and your mind

The Hagia Sophia is a surprisingly large building that makes Istanbul even more beautiful when it's lit up at night. Thousands flock to it every day to take a look inside and it is worth a visit. The history is fascinating and the building beautiful on the inside. It has a very unique look to it that you don't want to miss.

Inside beautiful view
6ft distance
Mask yes

Visited to see this museum of excellence but very much disappointed that it is being renovated and the belongings of prophet Muhammad been removed to accommodate this restructuring of building. My whole visit goes into waist as nothing of prophet Muhammadbeen been available. All the things been removed. Very much disappointed to visit Sophia museum. May sometime I come back and see when it's been completed. By the way 40 to been charged for nothing.....sorry for the tourist who comes to see and remembered.

Nice and historical place and doesn't worth a guide or fast track I think. The ticket price is 72 TL if fast track 105TL, with guide 350TL for 2 persons!!!!

Learn the past.. it has audio video section if you are not part of a group that has a guide

A must when you are traveling to Istanbul, Turkey. Hagia Sophia Museum was a church & a mosque. It is part of historical places & you can read about the place in the website.

Just a really spectacular place. Coolest part is that it's built as a Christian cathedral and converted to Islamic mosque so it has both symbols visible inside.

Simply beautiful! A brilliant peace of history and architecture. Top sight for visiting if you what to understand what happened in that region centuries ago.

No better place to illustrate ancient history in Istanbul

Breathtaking. Joining religions and cultures.
A must visit when in Istanbul.

Packed, restoration areas inside, we went in sept2019. Lines are long, paying the extra fast lane is worth it. You may take pictures inside. You may go upstairs for free.

I liked the mosaic art on the walls. Gives you a sense of grandeur for what it would have originally looked like.

Beautiful place. Was a church and then a mosque. Has relics of both religions. Lots of maintenance work going on though..

Absolutely amazing tour through history. Of course quite crowded but totally worth it. Normally I wouldn't do a guided tour but it was worth it for a place like this. A guided tour or an audio tour is probably necessary to get the most out of visiting the museum. I know I had the best experience that way.

Just back at time.amazing frescoes and atmosphere.only 20 min waiting time for tickets on Sunday. Don't miss second floor .

Magnificent building of the past well maintained and preserved for the future generations to come. Take your time to savour and enjoy the beautiful mosaics and designs that takes you back in time. Definitely worth the long queues during peak tourists seasons. Keep an open mind always irrespective of religious beliefs. The trip is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Not to be missed.

Hagia Sophia is much more impressive from the outside as the inside has lots of scaffolding for the restoration work which our guide said had been going on for 50 years!
The interior is impressive but rather dark and it's difficult to get it all in.
The views from the balconies are good and you also get some great views of the Blue Mosque.
The admission price is 40 TL each and the queues can be very long unless you get there at opening time

Great place to visit... Although there were renovation proceeding

Nice historical place good to know about some history

So great and big ,find Islamic and Christian history in it.

It s a new experience every time I come back. Not visiting Aya Sofya while you re in Istanbul is a big mistake. Guides walking around the entrance can get you in immediately and give you a tour if you re willing to pay a little more than the entrance fee.

I mean..... it's the Hagia Sofia, you really can't go wrong with a visit.

One of the best things I've seen natural or man made. Unbelievable that they could build this so long ago. The artwork and gold inlay is amazing. The frescoes too. The sheer size of the place is incredible. If you get to see nothing else in Istanbul visit this place.

Awesome place to visit. Turkey is always best place on earth to see various monuments,very well maintained place....

Awe!!! Amazing architectural and religious monument.

Most of the museum was closed at the time of our visit because it was on maintenance

It's one of the most beautiful places where I have been. It's amazing.

Easy recommendation. Line wasn t too long, only 40 LR. Once you are inside you will notice the incredibly large ceilings and the scale of the building. The building is filled with rich history, transforming from a Greek Orthodox Church to an Islamic mosque to now musuem.

Amazing place full of history..it s under renovation at the moment ! And try to come early so it s not so crowded!

Hagai Sophia is one of the oldest historic sites in Istanbul, Turkey ... A place that is very mysterious and interesting, many tourists from various countries there. Really one of the world's tourist destinations ..

nice Historical place. You could easily spend 3 days in this area to visit all the surrounding monuments.

It's such an inspiring place that can take you hundred of years back

Beautiful place. An amalgamation of many centuries of history. I would recommend reading up on the history before hand, as the audio guide focuses on the detail, more than putting into a historical perspective. As it is a museum rather than an active mosque you do not need a headcovering or to take your shoes off.

The architecture is magnificent and the history of this place is incredible. If only the walls could talk!

Obviously,must see place in Istanbul. Although I'm really shocked that the ticket is 72TL 12 just to enter the inside of the yard and Hagia Sophia itself,but if you want to enter the gallery you need to pay extra 40TL 7 . The museum itself is,as expected,stunning and breathtaking.. Also,if you are there on your own,without a guide,I recommend reading what is available inside,and it really is helpful and makes the visit more understandable and more interesting.

Was there as a young US Navy Aviator in the early 60's as only a high school grad too young and ignorant to know what I was seeing. Now after a BS and MS, was trying to describe to my wife of 45 years, and simply could not find the words to describe the place - truly a magnificent work of mankind's art and architectural ability. Been to a lot of places in my life, but this is one I would like to revisit. Go - if you have the chance!

Btm - VR-24 out of Port Lyautey Morocco in 61 and 62.

Wow, what a heritage, famous tourist place equally popular and sacred place for Christians and Muslims. The architecture and artifacts are amazing. Just wondering how it is build without the help of machines. The dome itself is magnificent and testament of art and masterpieces of thise times. One must visit this place while visiting Istanbul.

Who can be so mean not giving 5 to this AMAZING building!!!

Such a beautiful old Mosque that is now a museum! It is under renovations but still has so many things to see.....You can go in on your own to explore, or hire a guide that will tell you the history of the Mosque.

Very interesting, fascinating place which has been a church, mosque in different time periods and now it's a museum. It gives you the deep insight into the history of Turkey. The architecture of the building doesn't leave anyone unimpressed. Must visit place for every tourist

If you have chance to visit just one sight in Istanbul, Hagia Sophia should be that place

A must if you visit Istanbul and Sultanahmet. Amazing building with some beautiful ceramics.

The building is impressive! * Mind boggling! A must to see and experience

I am really confused, what to write here? This place is a mixed of feelings, once you are inside, it is looks like Islamic featured place. Your next move show you that it is completely Christian place ( we all knows the history). However, this one of the MUST see places in Turkey.

No need to spend 90 liras for it
Its waste of money..
Please go on prince islands and bosphorous cruise
Not there