Not everyone will pay
Starting January 15, foreigners will be charged 25 Euros to visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque. Tickets will be sold at a dedicated box office. Turkish citizens can continue to access the site without a fee. The new visiting rules for this landmark were announced on October 31, 2023. UNESCO recommended that Istanbul develop a management plan for the mosque and report on preservation efforts, which influenced the decision.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated that from January 15 the mosque will have separate entrances for foreigners and locals. This separation aims to improve visit management, reduce queues, and prevent crowding.
Hagia Sophia was built in 537. After Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1453, the building became a mosque. In 1935 the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, ordered the Hagia Sophia to become a museum and to remove its religious functions. In July 2020 President Tayyip Erdoğan changed the status again, restoring regular religious services. Since then, entry to Hagia Sophia has been free for visitors.
What else could be more expensive?
In a discussion with socialbites.ca, Artur Muradyan, Deputy Chairman of ATOR, suggested that paying for entry to Hagia Sophia could deter some travelers from visiting the iconic mosque.
“From a tourist view, 25 euros, or 50 to 100 euros for a family of two or four, is not a huge cost. Yet some travelers will decide to spend money to see this attraction.”
Muradyan noted that after Hagia Sophia, prices at other museums and tourist sites might rise as well. He pointed to the lira’s recent volatility as a factor behind higher tourism costs. Travelers should be prepared for elevated service charges tied to Istanbul’s tourism infrastructure.
How to save money on Istanbul’s attractions?
Istanbul has long drawn foreign visitors and has become a popular destination for travelers from Russia. With frequent flights between Russia and Turkey, round-trip tickets commonly range from 16 to 22 thousand rubles, with occasional cheaper options. Accommodation in the city is also accessible; a basic hostel near major sights can be booked for about 1.2 thousand rubles per night, while a comparable hotel room runs around 5 thousand rubles. Smart planning and local tips can significantly reduce costs when visiting attractions.
Iskender Kerimov of Istanbul explained that inflation in Turkey has pushed up prices for visiting historical sites, turning many previously free experiences into paid visits.
“Visiting Hagia Sophia, once free, will now cost about 820 lira. Other major sites like Topkapi Palace, the Istanbul Cisterns, and Galata Tower also carry higher admission fees. Still, there are tips and services that help visitors save while making the experience more comfortable.”
Kerimov recommends exploring the MüzeKart program. The card offers admission to several main Istanbul attractions and helps visitors skip lines after prepayment. The price and included sites vary, and the card can be bought online or at official sales locations around well known tourist hubs. He noted that the online version can require extra steps with a mobile app, so a physical card is often more convenient. The cost ranges from 6 to 9 thousand rubles, and it becomes economical if more than three top sites are planned.
Many attractions remain free for foreigners, such as the Blue Mosque beside Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, and Istiklal Street in Taksim with its famous red tram. The Balat and Fener neighborhoods offer unique vibes and views of the Golden Horn, while Kadıköy on the Asian side provides a quieter scene with good food and Bosphorus views.
Kerimov also suggested saving on Bosphorus trips by getting an Istanbulkart travel card, which works similarly to Moscow’s Troika card. Cash payments are often not accepted at all kiosks, so planning ahead helps avoid overpaying. The municipal ferries, included in the same transport system as the metro and buses, provide a cost effective way to enjoy the bay. A free Bosphorus ride can come with the Istanbulkart, making a low-cost alternative to private tours appealing.
In the city known as the City of Cats, visitors often look for cat cafes. Kerimov noted that cats are common across many eateries, making dedicated cat venues less necessary. Travelers should start with routes and landscapes that interest them, and the cats will usually appear along the way.