Santa Sofía Reviews

A very impressive location. I'm not religious at all, but still, this is amazing when you think that they built this with pretty primitive tools... and put it up extremely quickly. Even on a scalding hot day it was bearable inside. Give yourself plenty of time, as there is a lot to see here. For the ladies, high heels are not recommended.

Incredible place to visit. The museum shop are cheap, more than te People in the streets sometime! But close two hours before it closes.

There was ongoing conservation work at the site when I visited. A bit distracting for the visitor and the view.

Lots of renovation going on in June of 2019, but still one of my favorite spaces.

Very beautiful. Best to go with a tourguide to explain . Entrance is 60TL. If you plan to visit many places in Istanbul, i would recommend to buy an Istanbul museum pass @ Turkey museum pass. It will be very helpful to skip the long line and saves more money. The hagia Sofia is very majestic albeit having part of it closed due to restoration project. They have an audio guide for 30TL, 150 audios. but you might get a little bored after quite some time hehe.

It was really really really really really really really really and I mean it, really cold inside. I got an audio guide for 30 TL but didn't have a passport or OD card with me because our tour leader warned is about pick pocketers (which can happen to anyone , anywhere) anyway, the got extra cash and when I returned the audio guide, they gave the extra money back. There were guides standing outside offering a full guide but you can go without one but if you're with a group it would be worth the money you're paying. You enter the main hall via three portals.this place used to be a church, then it turned into a mosque and then into a museum so its really old. Half of the museum is closed because of repairs. they weren't working when we were there but when our friends were visiting, they were working and there was too much sound. The tile works are beautiful. There's a second floor which the queen used to stand also the it was colder. There are also cats in the museum. Make sure not to use flash while taking pictures. They damage the tiles
Overall, it's a must see when you travel to Istanbul.

The best place to visit in istanbul if you are into religions. The place is magical and you can see two religions that merge.

It was really touched that I've been here today, and I feel great and bless and I'm so thankful to Allah

Must see museum in the old city. It's probably the reason you came here and it won't disappoint.

Stunning place talk your breath like these people deep in history built without any modern equipments !

History is interesting. nothing spectacular to see inside.

One of the must visit places in Istanbul. Was once a church and a mosque now is a museum. Absolutely amazing history of Byzantines and Ottomans, Christianity and Islam found mixed up in the same place. Defintely worth the line and ticket.

Must visit and see.. Advise: get your audio player to listen to the historical facts about every location.
This place is very spiritual for Christians specifically and it clearly shows the hard times they passed through in that era of time.

First off, I enjoy and like this sort of stuff and went with my girlfriend who is not. Secondly it is in a constant state of renovation so quite a bit of it is covered. Thirdly the cost for it and more or less the demand of needing a tour group had me almost putting it at a three star. But once again I enjoy this sort of stuff so four star for me

Most famous orthodox cathedral in Istanbul and maybe the world. After the fall of Constantinopole, it was turned into a mosque and after 1940 into museum. A must to visit while in Istanbul.

This place should be on must visit list of everyone, its history is what teaches us what we all could be and live peacefully. Amazing architecture, first look on the building from outside gets jaws to drop and just one word wow as words can't adequately describe the grandeur of the place and once enter inside it gets better. History of the place is as grand as is the building. Lines could get longer as the day progresses.

Beautiful church stolen and transformed to a museum/mosque

Really impressed with the history and well preserved.

One of the most iconic and sacred places. Surely you must visit it.

I love this place specially at night, you should try it

Love it...must see this place before you die...so much to write about this place ...can't define in words

Hagia Sophia is an absolute masterpiece, perhaps the greatest example of Byzantine's architecture. Presiding over an impressive history, Hagia Sophia was a crowning symbol of Christendom under the Byzantine Empire.

Its nice to see a great monument as St. Sophia's church

Looks so great ... if you coming in Istanbul you must visite this

A must see in Istanbul. Could be taken care of better.

If you had to visit just one place in Istanbul, this must be it.

liked it but the construction work to some o it, they could've charged a little bit that the full 40 TL price, written in 26/9/2017

A must see if you are in istanbul. No doubt about it.

What an amazing architectural structure. Amazing amalgamation of Islamic and Christian cultures

This is one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen. The space inside is monumental. Makes you wonder how is the roof supported. Unfortunately big part is undergoing renovations in 2020.

You cannot say that you have visited Istanbul if you haven't seen this mosque/church/museum. The exterior is just simply amazing and the interior shows the true picture of Turkey and its culture. Its a place where the two major religions of the world i.e. Christianity and Islam.

There's something positive in the air.you must read about itbefore you go or ask for a guide

One of the best sights to see. Everything looks lovely and well preserved. A must see experience.

Amazing architecture and a must see place in Istanbul

One of the best Museums in Turkey. It was a Palace converted to a Museum. Great views from the top to the Bosphorus. Great Architecture. Great collection of Islamic historry.

I'd recommend using the tour guide service to get the best experience of your visit. Don't forget to haggle the price down

Absolutely worth visiting. A must see for everyone who comes to Istanbul!!

Beautiful museum, historic, long wait to purchase the ticket but worth it

Amazing place! A must see when you are visiting Istanbul!

The best place to visit in order to understand human culture levels developed by centuries.

A unbelievable place. Well worth a trek to see all of this.

At first it was a church, then mosque and now it's the museum. I hope it'll stay like this.

I think that it stands as a reminder of what it was used for in the past. I went when it was under construction. It really wasn't that interesting tho.

As lovely as always. Sadly, the Museum is now closed, but you can visit the Mosque anytime. It's open 24 hrs!

It s a really beautiful museum to visit. The history behind it is very fascinating. If you have the extra TL to spend I would suggest getting a tour guide so you can learn many of the fascinating facts about the place. This place is worth a trip if you re ever in Istanbul

I can't not explain hagia sophia museum it's a complicated of the World Series

Spiritual place. It's a mosque, but as soon as you go through the door you realize, that you are actually inside a church.

Great . Hope one day they'll finish renovations. Telling the real story of the place is so honest . Great value of the entrance fees

Amazing place to see how East meets West!

If you are going to see two or more other museums in Istanbul, then go for the Istanbul museum pass otherwise it doesn t pay off.

I just wish they would either finish up the long ongoing restoration or take down the scaffolding that is dramatically blocking the veiw. Also their price have tripled in the last few years.

One of the most beautiful place in Istanbul, any one there should go see the amazing work of the Ancient empires.

Absolutely wonderful experience visiting hagia sophia. Anyone visiting Istanbul must visit this place! 15hundred years of history that's not to be missed.

A good taste of the history. A place not to be missed...

Beautiful architecture. Has such a spiritual vibration.

The most sacred place. The essential looking around place of turkey.

This is the most energizing place in the world. Wonderful mosaics. Incredible construction!

We arrived around 10am on a Wednesday and the line was already quite long - it took us about 30mins to get into the museum so would recommend visiting earlier if you want a shorter queue. The Hagia Sophia itself is so beautiful and so rich in history - it's a must see if you're in Istanbul.