Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque

Facing each other across a leafy square in the old city stand two of the most magnificent buildings on earth. The Hagia Sophia, nearly 1,500 years old, was the greatest church in Christendom, then a mosque, then a museum, and now a mosque again, its vast dome still breathtaking. Across the way, the Blue Mosque dazzles with its cascade of domes and tens of thousands of blue tiles, and is free to enter. Dress respectfully and visit outside prayer times. We'll explain the current ticket situation for the Hagia Sophia and the best time to see both without the worst crowds.