Hagia Sophia Museum Tickets
The €25 museum ticket gives foreign visitors access to Hagia Sophia's upper gallery, where the world-famous Byzantine mosaics are displayed. Book online and skip the line.
Although Hagia Sophia is officially a working mosque again since 2020, its historic upper gallery operates much like a museum section for visitors. This is where you will find the celebrated Byzantine mosaics — the Deesis, the Empress Zoe panel, and the Comnenus mosaic — that make Hagia Sophia one of the most important art-historical sites in the world.
Foreign visitors purchase a €25 museum ticket to access this upper gallery. The ground floor remains a free prayer space. Buying your museum ticket online in advance means you can bypass the ticket booth queue and spend your time on the mosaics instead.
Hagia Sophia Museum Ticket Prices
Foreign visitors
€25
Upper gallery / museum
Mosaics
Included
Deesis, Zoe & more
Children under 8
Free
With passport
Opening hours
Daily
Closed during prayer
Book Hagia Sophia Museum Tickets & Tours
Compare upper-gallery museum tickets, mosaic-focused guided tours, and skip-the-line entry. Instant confirmation and free cancellation on most options.
What the Museum Ticket Includes
- Upper gallery access with the Deesis Mosaic, the finest surviving Byzantine mosaic
- The Empress Zoe and Comnenus imperial mosaic panels
- Views over the main nave, the great dome, and the Ottoman calligraphy roundels
- Skip-the-line entry when booked as a fast-track ticket or guided museum tour
How to Get Museum Tickets
Select a museum ticket
Choose a standard upper-gallery ticket or a guided museum tour that explains the mosaics in detail.
Reserve online
Book ahead to secure your slot and avoid the booth queue. Most tickets include free cancellation.
Visit the upper gallery
Enter via the tourist gate and head up the ramp to the gallery to see the Byzantine mosaics up close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hagia Sophia still a museum?
Hagia Sophia became a working mosque again in 2020, but its upper gallery — with the Byzantine mosaics — is open to visitors with a €25 ticket, functioning much like a museum section.
How much is a Hagia Sophia museum ticket?
The museum (upper gallery) ticket is €25 for foreign visitors. Children under 8 enter free with a passport, and the ground-floor prayer area is free for everyone.
Can you see the mosaics with the museum ticket?
Yes. The €25 upper-gallery ticket is specifically how you access the famous Byzantine mosaics, including the Deesis Mosaic.
Is the Istanbul Museum Pass accepted?
No. The Istanbul Museum Pass is not valid at Hagia Sophia; a separate upper-gallery ticket is required.
Do I need to dress modestly for the museum section?
Yes. As Hagia Sophia is an active mosque, modest dress is required throughout, and women should cover their hair. Shoes are removed on the prayer floor.