Santa Sofía Review

Outstanding building with many articles around it. Unfortunately covers masked some areas. Definitely a place a would return too, so much history is in those walls in a mix of Christianity and Islam.

Just fabolous to see Byzantine architectural marvel.

This was originally a Church which was turned into a Mosque & is know a museum. You will find many amazing pieces of art & history. The entry fee is 40 TL & is absolutely worth it. The security inside are of no help & rude so don t expect anything from them.

This place is just amazing, words can't describe the beauty of the architecture.

1500 years old worship place.
Interesting place to visit.

Must visit in Istanbul- it is rich in history. Unfortunately currently half the interior section is under renovation

Really interesting architecture but quite pricey to enter. Don't pay for the fast track because it is basicly a normal ticket with someone pushing in for you! I discovered this when I turned my ticket over and saw that it was a regular one. I did however avoid the queue!

This is one of the best places I have ever visited. The building is beautiful with lots of art work within it. Paying the guide to give us a tour was worth it since the guide pointed out things I would have otherwise missed. There is lots of artwork there from many different time periods. I can't wait to revisit Hagia Sophia again.

It s perhaps one of the most magnificent structure that still stands strong after 1500 years since being built and has witnessed massive events unfold around it, two powerful religions and empires controlled the monument for their beliefs and legitimacy. Inside walls hold visible signs of Christianity and Islam being practiced in past. The domes are amazing and so is the upper floor which is high, historic and still very strong. Clearly royals of both Byzantine and Ottomans loved to leave a legacy in and around the monument with many prominent sultans tombs being well preserved. Many cafes, local gift shops surround the complex and it s well accessible from tram and roads. Don t miss it as it evokes so much of how we reached the 21st century!

Small but nice, clean and well maintained. Beautiful mosque

Very disappointing. People give it much more credit than it deserves. It's a typical church from its era by design and as always when new conquerors come all they do is change the decor and place it under new management. It may be an opulent mosque but there are nicer things to see in Istanbul.

Beautiful mosque turned museum. Definitely get the audio guide. Buy tickets from the machine instead of waiting in line! Has clean bathrooms, a shop and a cafe

I have always wanted to visit the site. It is an amazing part of history. Very ancient Byzantine architecture. Upon walking in I was overwhelmed with such breathtaking beauty the artistry displayed. Everywhere I looked and there was something to marvel at. Considering all of the history of this building has been through and that it is still standing today is a testament to its significance as a must-see attraction.

There was a lot of scaffolding around so the restoration process certainly took away from the experience, but it was still well worth visiting. I would recommend it to anyone visiting Istanbul.

Stunning architecture! The highlight of the visit was discovering the entrance leading to the top floor. The 7 walking ramps were so exhausting but the view from the top was totally worth it! The domes of the Blue Mosque were also visible from the windows at the top.

Amazingly huge architecture! The inside is amazing speaks a lot about the cultures that passed through

A beautiful historic building that is majestic by any standard!

Very crowded at winter or summer because this place is very famous

What a historical and hugh construction! Able to see how turkey changes among each period of time.

Amazingly transiting from a church to a mosque. Reflections of the history and the country

Long waiting ticket line .. unless you pay extra to guides .. i am not into religious museums but it was nice

This is such a beautiful place, they are restoring it so one side of the big mosque is closed off with a scaffolding. I would definitely recommend anybody wish coming to Istanbul the police check this place out. There are wonderful art Works wonderful history and a lot of great things to see in this mosque. There are tour guides to walk around the mosque and you can get a earpiece to tell you every place in the mosque it is definitely worth the money if you would like to get it to a guy to tour you around the mosque. Please be careful when going to the Blue Mosque as it will be under construction for the rest of 2019.

Amazing building, met a great guide outside who gave us a great tour explain the history and the various uses over time. Lived the "Viking graffiti" on the balcony and the different religious uses and history. Well worth a few hours of your time to enjoy

Another historical landmark that has undergone a lot of changes over time.

If you are Christian or muslim you must go and see the great combination of the two religion in one place

It is recommended visit, but personally I am not impressed.

Nice place, clean so very beatiful, recommended to travel umroh to take packet plus turkey..

An amazing place to visit. My child didn't even want
to leave

Great place to see hiring a guide is a much better way to see it

Overwhelmingly beautiful! Spent a whole 2h in there. Be at the door by 9 or die of old age before making it inside.. Also A LOT less people inside from 9 to 10, sure makes taking epic pictures easier without selfie sticks and floating phones in every frame.. A must see in a lifetime!

Largely unremarkable: pretty much a set of empty vaults with little to no illustrations, lots of sections in clear need of restoration something that the inordinate volume of cash from the steep (in relative Turkish terms) should make unproblematic and many inexplicably close to the public. I wouldn't recommend.

very interesting and well preserve. there is very little information inside. they havr guides charging alot of money to do a tour, which only takes 45 minutes so read the guidebook/google rick steve audio before you go.

One of the best man-created buildings in history. Don t miss visiting this place

t is the most gorgeous place in istanbul if you come to istanbul you must see begore leaving

Love it!!!! So much history in one architecture. Decades and decades of work done on it. Amazing and fascinating

I am not a museum person. But it is worth to see it. That is all can I say about it. If you go to there go to there. You can use the museum kart. If you dont have you can buy it

Great museum shows a lot of historical collection of Turkish and islamic culture

Beautiful historical building. A must when you are here

This place was a wonder. It cost about 72 lira to go in. I think that was a bit expensive given that half of it was under construction and I could not see half the roof or the left side. But as a tourist, it's a must see. Just disappointing to spend the full price when you can't see the full attraction.

Arguably one of the world's modern wonders, these former church and mosque now museum is impressive for its architecture, art and history. Take time to wander the lower floor and upper balcony. The grounds are also pretty, but skip the overpriced cafe inside as there are many great places to eat right outside the gates. We bought the 5 day Museum Pass here which worked well across the major museums in Istanbul.

After visit this place I find out it use to be church before Islam attacked

Be aware of long queues, the place looks good but no nothing fancy. Read history before your visit.

The City is a bouquet of architectural points. A museum which has preserved the rich culture of over 1000years. A world famous monument. Enchanting.

Stunning place, must visit. A gorgeous mix of religions. Leaves you in love with itself.

You have to know the history or ask for a guide before visiting. Lovely place.

Very beautiful sight in turkey but it is convert in mosque now.....

Absolutely incredible. It's a shame part of the building is hidden by scaffolding but after 1500 years it's hardly surprising it needs some maintenance!

Very Famous attraction in the western part of Istanbul, was a church in the byzantine era, transformed into a mosque after the retreat of Christianity in the area.
The inside mixes the art of both Muslim and christian faiths.
A little dark inside and always under maintenance and renovation.
This is a live proof of the openness and cohabitation of Muslims and the Ottoman Caliphate state with all faiths and ethnicities, they highly and intricately preserved all Christian art from the Byzantine era until our present days.

Amazing history and just breathtaking to see
Must see

Close to Metro station (sultanahmet). And other attraction places like Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern also walking distance from Hagia Sophia.

An impressive piece of art. The beautiful structure witnessing the dynamic history of Istanbul. I luckily didn t have a long waiting queue and had a great experience.

amazing.. anyone visiting Istanbul should visit Hagia Sophia..

It is one of the most spectacular architectural building I've ever seen, so worth going to see and I strongly recommend getting a guide to go with you to explain the history behind the Hagia Sophia Museum.

A must-see building for architecture enthusiasts and people interested in history in general. Currently section are being restored so unfortunately visitors cannot see the whole building.

This was an orthodox church. Turkey has transformed it a cami.

Beautiful unity ornament of Islam and Christian. The room is very spacious.
You can also sit while watching about Hagia Sofia on television located outside. There are also some writings on display about the history of the place.

Must visit site, a lot of history, recommends the guided tour and the audio guide. Love the details and other muarals on the wall. No need to buy the fast access, not worth it. Replica shop is good. Must try the old pics. A must go place if you like history architecture and religion

Fantastic. Very interesting and unexpected. Definitely worth a visit.

Once a Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal basilica. From the grand fading red facade to the stunning interior with frescoes and mosaics, the former church is one of the world s most unique museums.
Visiting Hours: 09:00- 17:00
Ticket Price: 72 TL

Astonishing architecture. Very impressive work. History talks here. Glad turks keept it reasonably well.