Combo: Blue Mosque + Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Entry Tickets

Your visit to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia

Embark on a comprehensive journey through Istanbul’s cultural and architectural treasures with this expertly guided tour. Enjoy fast-track admission to both the iconic Blue Mosque and the monumental Hagia Sophia. With a knowledgeable English-speaking guide at your side, discover the captivating stories, rich artistry, and historical depth of these two revered landmarks.

Start your day in Istanbul’s Old Town

Your experience begins at the historic Blue Mosque, where you'll be greeted by your expert guide. Listen to fascinating insights into the mosque’s place in Istanbul’s skyline and its role in the city’s spiritual life. Notice the elegant calligraphy and painstaking restoration efforts that have preserved its grandeur over centuries.

Blue Mosque

Inside, be awestruck by the shimmering blue Iznik tiles that give the mosque its name and the immense central dome carried by massive elephant-foot pillars. Gaze up at the five main domes, six minarets and eight secondary domes. Learn about Islamic traditions and Ottoman history as you admire the expansive prayer hall and its handwoven carpeting. Capture memorable photos and gather tips to further explore Istanbul on your own later.

The Hippodrome and the heart of the Old City

Continue on foot with a stroll across the ancient Hippodrome, once the site of chariot races, political intrigue and imperial ceremonies in the Byzantine era. Pass by the Million Stone, the symbolic center of the empire’s road system, and the Obelisk of Theodosius—a relic carried from Egypt centuries ago to stand at Istanbul's crossroads of history.

Hagia Sophia

Next, make your way to the legendary Hagia Sophia. Built in the 6th century, the Hagia Sophia has served as a church, a mosque and a museum—now a mosque again. Inside, your guide will point out the mighty dome, supported by forty windows, and draw your attention to Byzantine mosaics, including those that were hidden for centuries under layers of plaster. Discover intricate depictions of saints and rulers, marvel at the mosaicked Deesis, and search for legendary features like the Wishing Column and secret marble doors. Visit the tombs of Ottoman sultans, and learn how Hagia Sophia has been shaped by both Byzantine and Ottoman influences.

Optionally upgrade to Basilica Cistern

If you choose, extend your visit underground for a guided tour of the Basilica Cistern. Step into a surreal forest of columns, some adorned with Medusa heads, and see ancient carp swim beneath the softly illuminated arches. Discover the unique engineering solutions the Byzantines used to supply water to the city and how this subterranean marvel features in the legends of Istanbul.

What’s included

• Competent, licensed English-speaking tour guide

• Priority skip-the-line access at Hagia Sophia (and Basilica Cistern, if selected)

• Guided walk through the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Istanbul’s Old Town highlights

• Old Town map to help plan your further adventures

• Flexible options for further exploration post-tour

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, architecture lover or traveling for the first time, this tour reveals the unique story of Istanbul at the meeting point of continents and cultures.

Book your Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Tickets tickets now!