Magical Hagia Sophia: Free Evening Tour

Duration: 1h and 30min
Languages: English
Guru: Mertcan
Quality Verified Registered on April 01, 2023

Hello, I'm Mertcan, a licensed and independent tourist guide from Istanbul. My passion for traveling and exploring new cities has taken me to many different places, but there's nothing quite like guiding tours in my home city of Istanbul. When I guide tours, I take great care to make them as engaging and informative as possible. I understand that visitors to Istanbul may have limited time to see everything, which is why I keep my tours short and packed with interesting information. I focus on the main points of the city's history and culture, giving visitors the chance to explore further on their own if they wish. I limit my tours to 12 people in order to ensure I can attend to each person individually. As a guide, I strive to create a personalized experience for each of my visitors. Whether you're a solo traveler, a family with kids, or a group of friends, I will tailor my tours to suit your needs and interests. I'm also happy to share insider tips and recommendations for other places to visit or things to do in Istanbul, so you can make the most of your time in this incredible city. So if you're looking for a knowledgeable and friendly guide to show you around Istanbul, look no further than me. Join me on a journey through the city's rich history and vibrant culture, and let's create unforgettable memories together :)

Show more
  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free

Tour description

Join me in this free walking tour of Hagia Sophia!

Built in 537 AD, Hagia Sophia stayed the biggest church in history for almost 900 years. Although weary of time, it is still as impressive as it stood at the heart of Constantinople. On this tour, I will guide you through the history of the building, spanning from the 4th century to the 20th century.

The most spectacular time of the day to visit Haghia Sophia is the evening time. At this time, you can envision the historical building close to its original lighting in the 6th century. Plus, it is the least crowded time during the day. So we will be able to spend much time with minimum discomfort and distractions.

Please note that dress regulations for mosque apply at the site.

Note: For each participant, we rent a headset. In case you can not make it, please cancel the reservation as soon as possible, so other people can participate, and we don't rent more headsets than necessary.

Note: Tips are collected in € and $. Please consider the time and effort the guide puts in the tour when you are tipping :)

Show more
  • Meeting point:
    Cankurtaran, Sultan Ahmet Park, At Me...
    Cankurtaran, Sultan Ahmet Park, At Meydanı Cd No:5, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
    View on map

    I will be waiting in front of the pond at the Sultanahmet Park. It is in the area between Blue Mosque and Haghia Sophia. I will be holding up a purple umbrella.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

33 ratings
4.9
By category
Professionalism
4.94
Fun
4.72
Expression
4.88
Quality
4.88
Route
4.97
Generic
5 stars
28
4 stars
5
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Andrea 27 Nov 2023
Las Vegas

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Nov 2023
Very knowledgeable and kind. Highly recommend booking!
Ian & 16 Nov 2023
London

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Nov 2023
Mertcan is a knowledgable, friendly and engaging tour guide. Our time flew by as we were so absorbed by the sights and his commentary. We had a wonderful walk and gained valuable insights which we would have otherwise missed. Thank you!
YOGIT 09 Nov 2023
Edinburgh

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Nov 2023
The tour was very good. I was impressed by the historical information that he shared. He was very professional and covered what he was supposed to cover on this tour.
Elena 08 Nov 2023
Milan

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Nov 2023
Mertcan is a very professional guru! He gave us a lot of interesting info about Haya Sophia. For sure I recommand this tour!
Carl 04 Nov 2023
London

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Nov 2023
Excellent tour
Show 33 reviews

Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Not suitable for pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
A minimum of 5 people is required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Only cash payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Show more
See availability