About this activity
Editor's Note
I’ve spent two decades watching tour operators bloat their margins by selling "exclusive" packages that are really just basic entry tickets with a fancy ribbon tied around them. Let’s be real: the Istanbul tourism scene is a chaotic mess of high occupancy and aggressive street hawkers, and if you aren't careful, you'll spend more time in a security queue than actually looking at the mosaics. This specific combo caught my eye because it strips away the corporate fluff. It addresses the biggest pain point in the Sultanahmet district—the soul-crushing wait times—without forcing you into a rigid group tour led by someone reading from a script. It’s a smart play for the independent traveler who wants to manage their own lead time while dodging the "tourist trap" pricing that usually plagues these historic landmarks. Honestly, why more people don't just grab the audio guide and walk at their own pace is beyond me.
About the Tour
Istanbul’s skyline is defined by two giants that have faced off across Sultanahmet Square for centuries. This experience offers a seamless way to navigate these architectural titans without the typical friction of "big bus" tourism.
Hagia Sophia: A Masterpiece of Two Faiths
Built in 537 AD, Hagia Sophia remains one of the most significant structures in human history. It functioned as the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years before its conversion into an imperial mosque.
- Skip-the-Line Entry: Don't waste your morning standing on hot pavement. This ticket gets you past the primary ticket queues so you can start your exploration immediately.
- The Golden Dome: Experience the engineering marvel of the 31-meter wide dome that seems to float above the nave.
- Digital Narrative: The included audio guide dives deep into the Byzantine mosaics and Islamic calligraphy, explaining how these two worlds coexist within the same walls.
The Blue Mosque: The Sultan’s Answer
A mere stone's throw away lies the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, better known as the Blue Mosque. Completed in 1616, it was the Ottoman Empire's deliberate attempt to rival the grandeur of Hagia Sophia.
- Hand-Painted Tilework: Learn about the 20,000+ Iznik tiles that give the mosque its famous hue.
- Spiritual Insight: The audio guide provides essential context on the mosque’s role in daily life and its unique six-minaret architecture, which caused quite a scandal in the Islamic world when it was first built.
- Independent Pace: Because there is no fixed group schedule, you can linger under the domes as long as you like or find a quiet corner to just soak in the atmosphere.
Whether you are a history buff or just someone who appreciates a good view, these two monuments represent the very heart of Istanbul. By skipping the lines and using a personal audio guide, you get the depth of a guided tour with the freedom of solo travel. This is how the city is meant to be seen—no rush, no crowds, just pure history.
Highlights
- Two monuments, two eras, one unforgettable experience
- Skip the ticket lines at Hagia Sophia
- Dive into 2,000+ years of history with your audio guide
- Flexible Hagia Sophia ticket – enter anytime during opening hours
- Free entry to the Blue Mosque – visit whenever you like
Know before you go
- Hagia Sophia visiting times: 9 AM to 7:30 PM. Fridays Hagia Sophia Mosque is closed from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM on Friday
- Blue Mosque visiting times: Early in the morning up to 11 AM and after 2 PM. Fridays only after 2 PM
- At both sites is a mandatory security queue, and it is not skippable. In high season, security checks can take up to an hour.
- Best time to visit before 10 AM and after 3 PM. Between 10 AM and 3 PM it is crowded and specialy at weekends & public holidays.
- Please note that you cannot enter the Hagia Sophia with the GetYourGuide voucher. Please use the ticket you will get from us by email. Entry inside Blue Mosque is free.
- Women must cover their hair and shoulders. Scarves are available for 3 Euro at the Ticket Kiosk
- Men and women must cover their knees. If you wear shorts, you can buy a body cover for 3 Euro
- This ticket gives you access to the visiting area of the Hagia Sophia and upper gallery, not the prayer area downstairs.
- Not wheelchair accessible.