Hello Everyone. We are planning to travel to Istanbul and I am wondering about how to visit Hagia Sophia. Per RS updates, you can now only visit the upper galleries, not the maim floor. I am wondering if anyone was able to visit just the upper galleries. With these new arrangements, is the RS Hagia Sophia guide even useful? It describes the floor plan and everything inside from the main floor/not the upper galleries. My question, do we need a guide or something to even see what is what from the galleries? It was my dream to see this famous place and now I am wondering how to maximize my visit. Typically, I use RS guidebooks, but with this new very recent arrangements, I wonder if the book would be enough. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Ohio
2130 posts
Hi swet, we visited Hagia Sophia last week as part of a cruise extension in Istanbul. We had a guide (from the cruiseline) and thought she provided very useful information. As you noted, you are only able to visit the upper galleries. The Hagia Sophia website refers to guided tours which links you to several options by Get Your Guide. I’d book one.
We also toured the Blue Mosque which is directly across the plaza. Very beautiful, interesting history. The Basilica Cistern and Grand Bazaar were also worth seeing. Enjoy your trip!