Visiting the Hagia Sophia During a Layover
How to Visit the Hagia Sophia During a Layover
In December of 2022, I traveled from Marrakech, Morocco, to Nairobi, Kenya on Turkish Airlines. I was able to book a flight that had an Overnight Layover In Istanbul, Turkey. Knowing it wouldn’t be possible to see all of Istanbul during a long layover, I focused on the one site in Istanbul I’ve always wanted to visit, the Hagia Sophia. This page will focus on how to visit the Hagia Sophia During A Layover.
This guide shows exactly how I fit the Hagia Sophia into an Istanbul layover.
Layover At-a-Glance (My Overnight Layover In Istanbul)
Arrival In Istanbul: 11:45 pm
Sleep Plan: Hotel arrival after 1:00 am, then slept until around 10:00 am
Tour Time: 1:00 pm Hagia Sophia Tour
Security/Line Time: About 20 minutes once entry reopened after noon prayer
Leaving For The Airport: Exited around 3:15 pm, then returned to my hotel for luggage and headed to the airport
Update For Readers (Important): This post is based on my December 2022 visit. Since January 15, 2024, the Hagia Sophia introduced a new visitor system for many foreign tourists, including a paid visitor route (commonly listed as €25) and separate entrances for worshippers and visitors. Visiting hours and access can also change due to prayer times and ongoing restoration work, so always double-check the latest rules before your trip. Also, since this is an active mosque, plan for modest clothing (and if you’re a woman, it’s smart to bring a headscarf).
Planning A Hagia Sophia Layover In Istanbul
My Overnight Layover Timeline (Arrival, Hotel, Airport Return)
The timing of my layover really only allowed me a chance to see one tourist attraction in Istanbul. My flight from Marrakech arrived in Istanbul at 11:45 pm. By the time I arrived at my hotel, it was well after 1:00 am. I was exhausted and knew I had to return to the airport around 3:30 pm, so I decided to sleep in until around 10:00 am.
Booking A 1:00 PM Hagia Sophia Tour For A Smoother Visit
To visit the Hagia Sophia during my layover, I booked a 1:00 pm tour. Booking a tour ensured that I would have the best experience visiting the Hagia Sophia, as a local guide would explain the history of this unique structure.
How To Visit Hagia Sophia On An Overnight Istanbul Layover- Table of Contents
- How to Visit the Hagia Sophia During a Layover
- Planning A Hagia Sophia Layover In Istanbul
- About the Hagia Sophia
- My Hagia Sophia Tour
- Hagia Sophia Tours and Packages
- Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Hagia Sophia During A Layover
- Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
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About The Hagia Sophia: Church, Mosque, And Museum
What Makes The Hagia Sophia Unique (Christian Mosaics + Islamic Design)
As a global studies teacher, the Hagia Sophia is one of my favorite structures in the world to teach about. The reason I enjoy teaching about the Hagia Sophia is that it shows some of the architectural differences between Christianity and Islam. Throughout its history, the Hagia Sophia has been a church, a mosque, and a museum.
A Quick Timeline (Third Structure On The Site)
Hagia Sophia is actually the third structure built in this location. The original church opened in 360 CE during the reign of Constantius II. In 404 CE, the original church was destroyed during unrest and a fire.
Next came the second church, built by Theodosius II in 415 CE. Remnants of this second church are on display near the tourist entrance. That structure was also destroyed by fire in 532 CE.
Emperor Justinian I commissioned the current Hagia Sophia. Construction began in 532 CE and was completed in 537 CE. After completion, Hagia Sophia became the largest church in the world and kept that status for nearly 1,000 years, until the early 1500s.
Inside, visitors will see a mix of Christian mosaics and Islamic geometric artwork. Since Muslims typically avoid decorating mosques with images of people, geometric shapes and patterns are more common. Because Hagia Sophia served as both a church and a mosque, it includes examples of artwork from both religions.
Key Christian Mosaics To Look For (Vestibule Mosaic, Mosaic Of Leo VI)
Outside the main prayer area, Christian mosaics remain. The Vestibule Mosaic is located near the south entrance. Pictured below (left), this mosaic shows Mary and Jesus in the middle. To the left, Justinian is presenting Jesus with a model of the Hagia Sophia. To the right, Constantine is presenting Jesus the city of Constantinople (Istanbul).
Another famous Christian mosaic found inside the Hagia Sophia is the Mosaic of Leo VI. This mosaic (right) shows Leo VI bowing down to Jesus. Jesus is holding a script that says, “Peace be upon you. I am the light of the world.”
In 1453 CE, when Constantinople (Istanbul) was conquered by the Ottoman Empire, the Hagia Sophia switched from a church to a mosque. Due to the fact that many of the people mentioned in the Christian Bible are also mentioned in the Muslim Koran, the Muslims did not destroy the Christian mosaics. Instead, they covered them. The Hagia Sophia would remain a mosque until 1935 CE when it became a museum. Multiple levels of protection came for the Hagia Sophia in 1985 CE when it became part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing. In 2020 CE, the Hagia Sophia again became a mosque.
The switching between a church and a mosque is important because of how the two religions decorate the interior of their places of worship. The mosaics pictured above are still intact today because they are located in hallways, not in the actual prayer hall. Inside the prayer hall, images of people are not permitted, and any photos portraying people from the Bible have been covered.
The Seraphim Mosaic And What Was Covered/Uncovered During My Visit
There was one Christian mosaic in the prayer hall that was uncovered during my visit (December 2022.) This mosaic is the Seraphim Mosaic, which consists of four angels that guarded the image of Jesus Christ on the Hagia Sophia’s main dome. When the church became a mosque, the four angels’ faces were covered. The faces remained covered until 2009.
Today, the Hagia Sophia is an active mosque; the faces were ordered to be recovered. Currently, only three of the four angels have their faces covered. One of the faces remains uncovered as this area was obstructed by scaffolding due to renovations. During my visit, our guide explained that this angel’s face would likely be covered in the next few months.
Today, the main dome is covered in geometric artwork and Arabic calligraphy. Around the dome area, the Seraphim mosaics were still visible, and during my visit one angel’s face remained uncovered.
The Latin Cross And Why It Remained Visible
One Christian mosaic which was not removed is the Latin Cross. In Islam, a cross is seen as a geometric shape and has no religious meaning. Therefore, it did not have to be removed or covered.
Ottoman-Era Additions: Arabic Calligraphy + The Eight Medallions
When the Hagia Sophia became a mosque, eight medallions with Arabic calligraphy were added. The eight medallions say the names of Allah (God), Muhammed (Allah’s Messenger), Abu Bakr (the first caliph of the Rashidun caliphate), Umar (the second caliph of the Rashidun caliphate), Uthman (the third caliph of the Rashidun caliphate), Ali (the fourth and last caliph of the Rashidun caliphate), Hasan ibn Ali (son of Ali and grandson of Muhammad), and Husayn ibn Ali (son of Ali and grandson of Muhammad.)
In addition to the medallions, geometric artwork was added to the Hagia Sophia during its transition from a church to a mosque. The photo below (right) shows an example of Islamic geometric artwork.
My Hagia Sophia Tour During A Layover
Tour Length, Cost, And Why A Guide Helped
Before arriving in Istanbul, I had decided that the one place I wanted to visit during my Overnight Layover In Istanbul was the Hagia Sophia. To visit this magnificent structure, I booked a guided tour which would last just over an hour. The cost of the tour was a reasonable $25, although that did not include transportation. Since my hotel was located near the Hagia Sophia, it was easy to get there by walking.
If you would like to book the same tour that I booked during my visit to the Hagia Sophia During A Layover, I have included a link below. Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase a tour using my link, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
Where To Meet Your Hagia Sophia Guide In Sultanahmet
Security Checkpoints Before Entering The Historic Area
My visit to the Hagia Sophia during my layover in Istanbul began by meeting my guide fifteen minutes before the beginning of my tour in the Sultanahmet area. The Hagia Sophia is located inside a secure part of Istanbul. To enter this area, tourists have to pass through one of many checkpoints. Be sure to give yourself a few extra minutes, as these checkpoints sometimes become busy.
Finding Your Guide Near The Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus Stop
I met my guide just inside the secure area near the stop for the hop-on/hop-off bus. There are many different tour guides meeting clients in this area. If you cannot find your tour guide, ask one who speaks English. They will point you in the correct direction.
Waiting In Line And Entering The Hagia Sophia
“Skip-The-Line” Reality Check (What You Can And Can’t Skip)
Our guide explained that there is no true “skip the line” to enter the Hagia Sophia, especially when it comes to security. When the Hagia Sophia was converted from a museum into a mosque, any possibility to completely skip the queue disappeared. If you see a ticket package that claims you won’t wait at all to enter the Hagia Sophia, it is not true in the sense that everyone still has to go through security.
Prayer Timing And When Entry Reopened
During my tour of the Hagia Sophia, there was quite a line waiting to enter. We were not allowed to enter until the noon prayer had been completed. Once the doors opened, it only took about 20 minutes to enter the complex and get through security.
The Wudu Fountain And What The Stone Imprints Show
After getting through the security checkpoint, which was the second security check of the day, our guide told us to spend a few minutes looking at the fountain. This fountain was used by Muslims completing the Wudu ritual, where they would wash their face, hands, and feet before prayer.
Our guide pointed out the imprints in the stone where millions of people have sat over the years while performing the Wudu ritual.
After spending about five minutes hearing about the fountain, we entered the Hagia Sophia.
Inside the Hagia Sophia
First Stop: The Exterior Hallway Mosaics (Vestibule Mosaic)
Our first stop was in one of the exterior hallways of the Hagia Sophia, where the Vestibule Mosaic is located. I mentioned this mosaic earlier in the “About the Hagia Sophia” section. Despite becoming a mosque once again, these Christian mosaics were still visible during my visit, and our guide explained that they are preserved as part of the site’s protected historic status.
Entering Under The Mosaic Of Leo VI
In the middle of the exterior hallway is the entrance to the main prayer hall. Above that entrance is the Mosaic of Leo VI. Once again, this mosaic was visible during my visit.
Removing Shoes + Using The Cubbies (Photo Tip)
In order to enter the main prayer hall of the Hagia Sophia, visitors are required to remove their shoes. Shoe cubbies are lettered and numbered. Our guide recommended taking a photo of our shoe cubby so we would not forget where we stored our shoes.
After taking off our shoes, we entered through the main entrance under the Mosaic of Leo VI.
Tourist Area Vs. Prayer Area (And What Changes During Prayer Times)
There are gates that separate the tourist area of the main prayer hall from the area for praying. Tourists are allowed in the prayer area as long as it is not one of the five times a day when Muslims are actively praying.
The Dome: Geometric Artwork + Arabic Calligraphy Up Close
One of the first features that our guide explained to us was the history of the dome of the Hagia Sophia. Today, the dome features geometric artwork and Arabic calligraphy, and the details are incredible up close.
I zoomed in on the top of the center of the dome of the Hagia Sophia, which really showed the great detail of the Arabic calligraphy.
Why The Altar Is Off-Center (Church Orientation Vs. Mecca)
Our guide explained that the main focal point is slightly off-center. When the building was designed, it served as a church. Later on, it was converted to a mosque, and the mihrab needed to face Mecca, which explains why that part of the prayer hall is slightly off-center.
Covered Mosaics In The Prayer Hall (Preservation Vs. Visibility)
Since images of people are not allowed in Islam, our guide explained that the Christian mosaics in the main prayer hall were covered by white sheets. The way our guide described it, the mosaics were covered to respect the function of the building as an active mosque, while still preserving the artwork rather than destroying it.
At this point, we had been inside for close to an hour. With the afternoon prayer getting close, our guide had to speed up our tour. He told us that within the next fifteen minutes, the Imam would approach the Minbar and lead the Call to Prayer.
The Medallions Near The Front (Allah + Muhammad)
As stated earlier, there are eight medallions displayed throughout the building. Near the main altar, the medallions say the names “Allah” and “Muhammed.” Allah means God in Arabic, and Muhammad was Allah’s messenger.
The “Fathers Of The Church” Mosaic (What’s Visible Inside)
There is one mosaic in the main prayer hall of the Hagia Sophia that is not covered. This mosaic is the Fathers of the Church mosaic, which has images of three important figures from the Restoration Period of the Catholic Church. Once again, our guide explained that an agreement prevents this mosaic from being covered or destroyed.
Above the main altar are smaller medallions and Arabic calligraphy. The windows are stained-glass, which is not common inside of mosques.
The photo below shows additional Arabic calligraphy near the main altar and the Minbar. I had always been interested in seeing the Hagia Sophia to see the differences between Christian and Muslim places of worship. I was glad that I chose to visit it during my layover in Istanbul.
My only disappointment was that the upper level was closed. When the Hagia Sophia was a museum, tourists were able to climb the stairs and get a panoramic view of the main prayer hall. Currently (December 2022), no one is allowed to go to the upper level.
Afternoon Prayer Timing + Why I Didn’t Take Photos
The tour exceeded my expectations. Although I knew quite a bit about the history of this unique building, it was very helpful to have a guide. The guide did a great job managing the time, as we only had about an hour between prayer sessions. When the tour ended, I was able to watch the afternoon prayer from behind the gates. Since the Hagia Sophia is an active place for Muslims to worship, I did not take any photos during the prayer.
By the time my tour ended, and I exited the complex, it was close to 3:15 pm. Since I was visiting during a layover, I had to return to my hotel, retrieve my luggage, and travel to the airport for my flight to Nairobi, Kenya.
Haiga Sophia Tours and Packages
Below are some additional tour packages that include the Hagia Sophia. Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase a tour or package using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Hagia Sophia During A Layover
Can You Visit Hagia Sophia During A Layover?
Yes, it is possible to visit the Hagia Sophia During A Layover if you plan your time carefully. Since my layover was overnight, I had enough time to sleep, book a 1:00 pm tour, and still return to the airport later that afternoon.
Do You Need A Ticket Or Is It Free?
During my visit (December 2022), I entered as part of a guided tour and still waited in the entry line before going through security. Since entry rules can change (and did after my visit), it is best to double-check the current requirements before you go.
Can You Skip The Line At Hagia Sophia?
No. Based on what my guide explained, there is no true “skip the line” option to enter the Hagia Sophia, especially for security. Everyone has to wait and go through the checkpoint.
Do You Have To Remove Shoes?
Yes. To enter the main prayer hall, visitors are required to remove their shoes. There are shoe cubbies that are lettered and numbered, and my guide recommended taking a photo so you remember where you put them.
Is The Upper Gallery Open?
It was not open during my visit in December 2022. When it was a museum, visitors could go upstairs for a panoramic view, but during my visit no one was allowed up there. (Since visitor access rules have changed, this is another reason to double-check current policies.)
Can You Take Photos Inside?
I took photos during my tour, but I did not take any photos during the prayer session. Since the Hagia Sophia is an active place of worship, I recommend being respectful and following any posted rules or guidance from staff. I also recommend avoiding photos of people while they are actively praying.
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