Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque Tickets
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is free to enter for prayer, while the historic upper gallery requires a €25 ticket for foreign visitors. Here's how it works — and how to book.
Since 2020, Hagia Sophia has officially been known as the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque (Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii). As a working mosque, the ground-floor prayer hall is open free of charge to all visitors, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, outside of prayer times.
What requires a ticket is the historic upper gallery, where the Byzantine mosaics are displayed. Foreign visitors pay €25 for this gallery section. So if you are searching for 'grand mosque tickets,' what you actually need is the upper-gallery ticket — the mosque floor itself is free to visit.
Grand Mosque Entry & Ticket Prices
Prayer floor
Free
For all visitors
Upper gallery
€25
Foreign visitors
Prayer times
Closed
To tourists briefly
Opening hours
Daily
Outside prayer
Book Hagia Sophia Gallery Tickets & Tours
The mosque floor is free — book the upper-gallery ticket or a guided tour here to see the mosaics and skip the queue. Free cancellation on most options.
What to Know Before You Go
- The ground-floor mosque is free; you only pay for the upper gallery with the mosaics
- Modest dress is required: cover shoulders and knees; women cover their hair
- Shoes are removed before entering the carpeted prayer area
- The building briefly closes to tourists during the five daily prayers and Friday sermon
How to Visit the Grand Mosque
Visit the prayer floor free
Enter the ground-floor mosque at no cost outside prayer times, observing the dress code and quiet etiquette.
Book the gallery ticket
To see the Byzantine mosaics, book the €25 upper-gallery ticket online and skip the booth queue.
Time your visit
Avoid the five daily prayer times and the busy Friday midday sermon, when tourist access pauses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a ticket for Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque?
The ground-floor prayer hall is free for everyone. Only the historic upper gallery — with the mosaics — requires a €25 ticket for foreign visitors.
Is Hagia Sophia free now that it's a mosque?
The mosque prayer area is free. The upper gallery, where the Byzantine mosaics are, still requires a paid ticket for foreign visitors.
Can non-Muslims enter the Grand Mosque?
Yes. Non-Muslims are welcome to visit outside of prayer times, provided they follow the dress code and remain respectful of worshippers.
What is the dress code for the Grand Mosque?
Shoulders and knees must be covered, and women should cover their hair with a scarf. Shoes are removed before stepping on the prayer carpet.
When is the mosque closed to tourists?
Tourist access pauses briefly during the five daily prayer times and for longer around the Friday midday sermon. Plan your visit between these windows.