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Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia


Hagia Sophia: Istanbul’s Historical and Architectural Wonder

Located in the heart of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia is one of the city’s most iconic structures. Having witnessed both the Byzantine and Ottoman eras, this magnificent building stands as one of the world’s most important cultural heritage sites with over 1,500 years of history. It is a must-see destination for every traveler visiting Istanbul.

The History of Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia was first built in 537 AD by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. At the time, it was considered the largest church in the world and remains one of the most splendid examples of Byzantine architecture. After the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul in 1453, it was converted into a mosque, and Islamic elements were added. In 1935, it was turned into a museum, and in 2020, it regained its status as a mosque.

Architecture and Grandeur

The architecture of Hagia Sophia is breathtakingly impressive. Its massive dome, mosaics, marble columns, and intricate details make it a unique structure. The height and width of the dome, in particular, are considered engineering marvels of their time. Inside, Christian mosaics from the Byzantine period and Islamic calligraphy from the Ottoman period can be seen side by side, making Hagia Sophia a bridge between religions and cultures.

What to See in Hagia Sophia

  • The Dome and Mosaics: The massive dome and golden mosaics are among the most striking features of Hagia Sophia. The Deesis Mosaic and the Virgin Mary Mosaic are particularly noteworthy.
  • The Mihrab and Minbar: The Islamic elements added during the Ottoman period add a unique elegance to the architecture.
  • Imperial Tombs: The tombs of Ottoman sultans are located in the garden of Hagia Sophia.
  • Upper Gallery: The upper floor offers a closer look at the historical mosaics and a stunning view of the building’s interior.

Visiting Tips

  • Entrance Fee and Hours: Since Hagia Sophia is now a mosque, entrance is free. However, visitors should be mindful of prayer times, as access may be restricted during Friday noon prayers.
  • Dress Code: As Hagia Sophia is a mosque, visitors are expected to dress modestly. While headscarves are not mandatory for women, they are recommended as a sign of respect.
  • Guided Tours: To better understand the history of Hagia Sophia, consider joining a guided tour or using an audio guide.
  • Nearby Attractions: Hagia Sophia is located in Sultanahmet Square, making it easy to visit other important landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern.

Why Should You Visit Hagia Sophia?

Hagia Sophia is not just a building; it is a treasure trove of history and culture. Here, you can feel the grandeur of the Byzantine Empire, the power of the Ottoman Empire, and the multicultural essence of Istanbul. Whether you are a history buff or an architecture enthusiast, Hagia Sophia will leave you in awe.


For tourists visiting Istanbul, Hagia Sophia is one of the most important stops to understand the soul of the city. By visiting this unique structure, you can witness thousands of years of history and have an unforgettable experience. 🌍✨

Itinerary in detail

Every Laka trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests.
Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.

Need more inspiration?

istanbul Walks

01

İstanbul Offer

02

İstanbul The Old City

03

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Arewethereyet1107 profile picture
Arewethereyet1107
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The highlight of our days in Greece and Turkey! KSG tours was the highlight of our entire vacation. We spent a whole day with Kagan and Illayda who showed us all the wonderful sights of Istanbul: the Hipperdrome, the Blue Mosque, Hagai Sophia, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. Kagan never tired of explaining the history of Istabul. He is so knowledgeable. And he was patient as we shopped. Illiayda picked us up from the airport late at night and returned up to the airport in the wee hours of the morning...all with a smile on her face. I felt like we had made new friends and look forward to returning one day. If you want to get a true live of Istanbul call KSG tours.
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Maggie e
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Book KSG tours. They do it right! We had two wonderful days with Lale. The first day was cultural with a wonderful lunch spot she chose. There were four of us and she was so warm and informative. The second day was spent at the Grand Bazaar shopping and meeting local shop owners. Then the spice market and a wonderful Turkish bath and massage. I dealt with Kagan to book the trip and he was so communicative and excellent with details and follow up. They are the best!
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Zihui Y profile picture
Zihui Y
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Wonderful Guide to Istanbul! Could not have found a better guide to Istanbul than Lale! Spent the day seeing the major sights in Istanbul with her. Lale was so friendly and knowledgable, answered all of our questions about both history and culture, and provided incredible recommendations in Istanbul.
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Joanna S
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Best days in Istanbul with the lady in the hat We have just finished the most incredible three days in Istanbul with Lale. She was incredible. We were 2 families with 6 boys (19-29) she was soooo good she kept them interested, engaged. We are leaving Istanbul rich in knowledge about the culture, the food, the history, the people. She took us the perfect spots, the greatest restaurants and we really took advantage of every moment in Istanbul thanks to her. Her travel group KSG organized our transportation, a trip to Ephesus with a guide which was also incredible. I feel we got the best of the best everywhere, They were very prompt, very organized, very reliable. I would definitely recommend them eyes closed for any of your needs in Turkey. They are extremely knowledgeable and will guide you in the right direction. Even the Hammam we choose was perfect thanks to their recommendation. Thank you Lale and Kagan. Hope to see you again soon.
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Darryl S
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Wonderful visit to Turkey If you want true, authentic value for your tour dollar, KSG is the way to go. This family was so helpful in planning and carrying out our needs, I cannot say enough good things about them. They are flexible, accommodating and genuinely want to give you a wonderful, memorable experience. They love their country (it is beautiful) and want you to fall in love with it too. You cannot do better anywhere!
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Mike L profile picture
Mike L
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Perfect Day in Istanbul Many family friends have used Kagan and KSG Tours over the years, so while in Istanbul on a cruise stop with my wife and two daughters we looked no where else. If you are going to be in Turkey, do yourself a favor and let Kagan and his wife, Lale, take care of all the details. Lale picked us up promptly at the port and handled all transportation. We were able to experience the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cisterns, carpet demo, Grand Bazaar and Spice Market. Because of Lale we did not wait in a single line and got to see and do far more than we could have on our own. If coming to Turkey, do yourself a favor and use KSG Tours!
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Richmac5
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Wonderful day tour of Istanbul with Lale/KSG Tours! Thanks! My wife and I were on an 11 day Celebrity cruise with an overnight stop in Istanbul. We made a great decision to hire a private tour company, rather than go through a cruise line tour. We found Lale and Kagan Kosagan through a recommendation in a Rick Steve’s book. I contacted Kagan directly, and he was able to set me up with a day tour of Istanbul with his wife Lale. Lale was awesome! She was able to set up a beautiful day in touring old historic Istanbul that exceeded our expectations. We were able to visit many main sites including the spiritual Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkaki Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and spice markets. Lale provided us with important information about the history of Istanbul and Turkey. Her knowledge and delivery of the information was unmatched with any other tour experience we’ve had before. We had a great lunch at the Pudding Shop. She also helped my wife with some great shopping finds. Perfect! We would love to use the services provided by Lale and Kagan again on our next journey to Istanbul! Thanks Lale!
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Jhan Y
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Türkiye - History, Cuisine, the Arts and More! Lale and Kagan are amazing! My friend and I got their names from a recommendation in a Rick Steves guide book, and they didn’t disappoint! Kagan’s communication is top notch, and Lale’s knowledge, enthusiasm, and energy are unparalleled. Together, their commitment to delivering experiences tailored to their clients, and their love of their country, make for a magical and unforgettable trip. In fact, we were so delighted with our adventures, and with the hospitality we experienced in Türkiye, that we made a second trip within two years. Lale says, “We put a taste of honey in your mouth so that you hunger to return!” Trust them. They are the best!
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Nancy F
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Turkiye 's BEST TOUR COMPANY My friend Jhan and I have worked with KSG Tours twice now. I cannot recommend them enough! This company was the BEST at every part of our tour, BOTH times. They provide a rich, incredible experience at every point! They are exceedingly honest, you get amazing value for your money, VERY thorough, VERY prompt at keeping you informed about all trip details before and during your time in Turkiye. They ANTICIPATE your needs and wants at every point. We not only toured Istanbul a second time but, we went to Adiyaman and Mardin, Turkiye. We saw Gobekli Tepe and Nemrut. ( The weather actually prevented us from going to the top of Nemrut, but WOW did they give it their best shot. They take you to where the locals go so you get a real Turkish experience in food customs. Lale can tell you how to cook all the Turkish dishes you taste! Turkish food is my absolute fav now due to the culinary encounters I experienced with KSG Tours. We stayed in incredible ,historical hotels . Lale and Khan are a complete delight to work with and get to know. Seriously , you will be thrilled with this tour group.
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Andy M profile picture
Andy M
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Walking Day Tour of Sultanahmet Lale Kosagan took my wife and me for a fabulous private walking overview of the Sultanahment area of Istanbul. We walked and walked, 17,000 steps? I had been to Istanbul before, but it was new for my wife, so this was an excellent way to get a quick overview of the main tourist sites for a first time visitor. Late was patient and explained what we saw and provided the historic context. Highly recommended!!