Is Hagia Sophia Worth Visiting Inside?

We tried visiting Hagia Sophia on a Turkish public holiday, but it was closed. When we returned the next day, the long lines made us hesitate—was it worth it? Here’s our experience: 🎟️ Tickets & Entry Price: 25€ per person (includes mosque entry). Dress code: Women must cover their hair (headscarf provided if needed); no shorts. Queue time: ~30 mins (looks long but moves fast). Upsell: The ticket office offers a combo ticket with the museum—we took it since we’d already queued. 🕌 Hagia Sophia Mosque (15-min Visit) A 1,500-year-old architectural marvel, originally a church, then a mosque. Christian mosaics are covered, but the scale is breathtaking. Pro tip: The ground-floor prayer area seems free (no ticket checks)—good for a quick look. 🏛️ The Museum (The Real Gem) Nightmare queue: 1-hour wait (visitors enter in batches). Audio guide (scans QR codes for your language) explains the building’s history through immersive projections. Verdict: The museum transforms your understanding—you’ll appreciate the engineering genius behind Hagia Sophia. 💡 Final Tips 1️⃣ Visit the museum FIRST, then the mosque—it’ll feel like stepping into history. 2️⃣ 50€ total (mosque + museum) is worth it if you love history—otherwise, just peek inside the free prayer area. #HagiaSophia #Istanbul #TravelTips