Istanbul: Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Tickets
Overview
Get to know Istanbul through three landmarks in its historic Old Town. Begin in Sultanahmet Square, where your expert guide traces the city’s story from Byzantine Constantinople to the Ottoman capital.
Visit Hagia Sophia with pre-reserved tickets and see how Byzantine mosaics and Ottoman calligraphy share the same space. At the Blue Mosque, admire the İznik tiles and learn how the mosque continues to serve as a place of worship. Walk through the former Hippodrome, where the surviving obelisks mark the site of Byzantine chariot races and imperial ceremonies. The small-group format gives you time to look closely and ask questions along the way.
Arriving by cruise ship? Choose the Galataport meeting option. Your guide will meet you at the port and accompany you by tram to Sultanahmet. The tram fare to the Old Town is included with this option.
What's Included
- Headsets for clear audio throughout the visit
- 2.5 hours walking tour at a relaxed pace
- For cruise ship arrivals, tram ride to old town is included
- For cruise ship arrivals, Galata Port start point is available
- Pre-reserved tickets for the Hagia Sophia
- Guided tour for the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia
- Expert local guide with in-depth knowledge of Ottoman history
Meeting Location
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Book Online
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Sultanahmet Square
15 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Blue Mosque
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
1 hour Admission Ticket Included
Hippodrome
15 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are functioning mosques and they can be closed to visitors for any reason, even without pre-notice (for a high-level state visit, for example)
- Istanbul has notoriously bad traffic. Give more time to get to the meeting spot than you may have planned
- Tickets to both sites are timed and expire within 5 to 10 minutes.
- It is not possible to join the tour after it has started due to strict admission regulations.
- Women are required to wear a headscarf when entering the mosque.
- BOTH men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and other revealing attire are not permitted inside.
- You are not allowed to bring signs, symbols, banners, flags, documents, drawings, or any materials representing political, ideological, or religious beliefs inside the Hagia Sophia.
- 'Starting from Galata Port' option is available for cruise guests
- Please note that skip-the-line access is available for adults only. Children under the age of 7 do not benefit from this access.
- Please note that children under 7 are not permitted on this tour.
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
- Hagia Sophia is currently undergoing restoration, which may temporarily affect visibility in some areas. These works are carried out independently of the tour.
- Starting from Galata Port, includes a tram ride with your guide
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Istanbul: Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Tickets?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-51192P70
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.88 out of 5 stars based on 476 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03).
- Headsets for clear audio throughout the visit.
- 2.5 hours walking tour at a relaxed pace.
- For cruise ship arrivals, tram ride to old town is included.
- For cruise ship arrivals, Galata Port start point is available.
- Pre-reserved tickets for the Hagia Sophia.
- Guided tour for the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia.
- Expert local guide with in-depth knowledge of Ottoman history.
The minimum age to participate is 7. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Istanbul: Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Tickets is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Istanbul: Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Guided Tour with Tickets will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Headsets for clear audio throughout the visit
- 2.5 hours walking tour at a relaxed pace
- For cruise ship arrivals, tram ride to old town is included
- For cruise ship arrivals, Galata Port start point is available
- Pre-reserved tickets for the Hagia Sophia
- Guided tour for the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia
- Expert local guide with in-depth knowledge of Ottoman history
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are functioning mosques and they can be closed to visitors for any reason, even without pre-notice (for a high-level state visit, for example)
- Istanbul has notoriously bad traffic. Give more time to get to the meeting spot than you may have planned
- Tickets to both sites are timed and expire within 5 to 10 minutes.
- It is not possible to join the tour after it has started due to strict admission regulations.
- Women are required to wear a headscarf when entering the mosque.
- BOTH men and women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and other revealing attire are not permitted inside.
- You are not allowed to bring signs, symbols, banners, flags, documents, drawings, or any materials representing political, ideological, or religious beliefs inside the Hagia Sophia.
- 'Starting from Galata Port' option is available for cruise guests
- Please note that skip-the-line access is available for adults only. Children under the age of 7 do not benefit from this access.
- Please note that children under 7 are not permitted on this tour.
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
- Hagia Sophia is currently undergoing restoration, which may temporarily affect visibility in some areas. These works are carried out independently of the tour.
- Starting from Galata Port, includes a tram ride with your guide
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
