What to bring

• Avoid slippery areas by wearing sturdy shoes with good grip when visiting Basilica Cistern, where some parts may be wet or slick.
• To prevent network issues on-site, download the audio app in advance for a smooth experience at all locations.
• Ensure your phone is fully charged to use tickets, take photos, and access any necessary audio guides.

The Basilica Cistern remains great and damp year-round. Consider bringing a light jacket or extra layer.

• Supportive footwear will enhance comfort during visits outside Hagia Sophia, along with essentials like hats, sunglasses, and water bottles for hydration.
• If using an audio guide at Hagia Sophia, have earphones ready.

Carry some cash to cover small expenses such as café visits or souvenir purchases near the site.

• For entry into Blue Mosque, dress modestly with clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
• A headscarf is required for women entering prayer areas of Blue Mosque.

Bring a small bag to store shoes when removing them at the entrance.

What's not allowed

• To maintain lighting and visitor comfort, flash photography is prohibited in Basilica Cistern.
• Tripods and selfie sticks are banned due to space constraints and safety concerns within the cistern.

Eating or drinking inside the Basilica Cistern is not permitted.

• Access restrictions apply during prayer times at certain areas of Hagia Sophia.
• Flash photography is prohibited to preserve the site's integrity and visitor experience.

Dress modestly by covering your head, shoulders, and knees. Women should also wear scarves within Hagia Sophia.

• Remove shoes before entering Blue Mosque; wearing them inside is not allowed.

Ensure clothing covers shoulders and knees to respect the dress code at Blue Mosque.

Accessibility

Basilica Cistern's uneven, damp flooring and low lighting make it inaccessible for wheelchairs.

Hagia Sophia is not wheelchair accessible; the ground floor can be reached via ramps, but access to the Upper Gallery is restricted due to steep stairs.

Blue Mosque's cobblestone paths and steps make it inaccessible for wheelchairs without assistance.

Additional information

Tickets allow you to bypass queues, but a security check is mandatory at Basilica Cistern. To avoid crowds from cruise ship tours, consider visiting early morning or late evening.

• Ongoing renovations may lead to obstructed views due to scaffolding within Hagia Sophia.

While you can skip the ticket line for Hagia Sophia, security checks are required and might take up to 60 minutes between June and August. The ground floor is reserved for prayers; visitors access the second floor.

• Tickets allow queue skipping at Blue Mosque, but all must undergo a mandatory security check that can last up to 60 minutes during peak times.

Scarves or body covers are available for purchase at €1 and €3 respectively at the entrance of Blue Mosque.