Overview
Take a trip to Hagia Sofia on your Turkiye Vacation
The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque was once the largest Eastern Roman Church in Istanbul. It was built as a Christian church in the 6th century under Byzantine emperor Justinian I. It was later reconstructed three times in the same location as a mosque, a museum, and a mosque again. The historic Byzantine structure is a sight to behold inside and outside. Its exterior features four minarets, in contrast to most mosques, which have a single minaret. The minarets were built during different periods in time and are of different heights. The tombs of Ottoman Sultans and their families located outside the temple are exceptional examples of Ottoman architecture.
The Hagia Sophia is home to 104 monolithic columns, the most famous being the Weeping Column. Captivating mosaics of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, the clock room, and the imposing main dome supported by four arches are examples of the temple's innovative architecture. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hagia Sophia has separate entrances for those who will enter the monument as pilgrims and those who will visit as tourists. Women must cover their head and shoulders, while men must be covered to the ankle.
At a Glance
Languages
TurkishCurrency
Turkish liraWhat do the experts say?
Turkey is a vast country and home to many diverse communities. Therefore, there are many local traditions that showcase their distinct origins. Among many, one fascinating event in Turkey that visitors should witness is the ceremony of Whirling Dervishes in Cappadocia.
Few places layer ancient civilizations quite like Turkey. From the ruins of Ephesus, the legendary city of Troy, and the underground cities of Cappadocia, to the Byzantine and Ottoman grandeur of Istanbul - it's a living museum. Walking through the Hagia Sophia or along the ancient walls of Constantinople is like stepping into a history book.
Turkish cuisine is seriously underrated globally. From a simple simit on the street to a full meze spread and a sizzling kebab, every meal is an experience. And of course, Turkish tea and baklava are daily rituals you don’t want to miss.
Get Inspired
Get Inspired About Your Trip to Turkiye
Unlock more by subscribing to our newsletter.
With our newsletter, you’ll get access to regular communications that inspire you and help you explore the world your way.Exclusive Savings
Insider Benefits
Trending Stories
ExcellentBased on 5,219 ReviewsThe booking processs was really easy. Katie was very communicative and was very responsive. Every change we asked for, she quickly replied. The room arrangements had a small hiccupp but Katie fixed it within minutes! All the excursions were a blast and well planned.
The trip was a bucket list trip and was everything we hoped for. Alison MAllan Birkett at Goway has been an absolute godsend! Over the past year, he has helped me plan numerous vacations—especially honeymoons—and has been an incredible partner every step of the way.
He is always quick to respond, patient with my clients' frequent changes, and goes above and beyond to help whenever an issue comes up. His knowledge, professionalism, and dedication make my job as a travel advisor so much easier.
I truly appreciate everything Allan does and highly recommend him to anyone looking for exceptional service. Thank you, Allan, for always being thereBrooke EcholsOur 2-week trip to Normandy, Switzerland and Italy after we disembarked from the Queen Mary 2 in Southampton in mid-May was superb. Michael Keon did an amazing job of putting together highlights for us to see and visit with the short time we had. All the train reservations, private and small group tours and transportations were very well coordinated, on time, and usually exceeded our expectations. Drivers were courteous and knowledgeable. Mike did a wonderful job getting everything coordinated, in spite of our almost “last minute” booking. I booked a month-long trip through GOWAY back in 1989 for Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, and they were superb then. So I tried them again, and found the entire organization to be even better. Mike was quick to respond to any questions that came up regarding booksings and times, regardless of the 6-hour time difference. Just superb! Although we had a nasty experience in Milan, GOWAY was very responsive and saw to our requests and our needs. Again, Michael Keon is the person who coordinated our travel. I will ask for Mike when I travel again with GOWAY. I recommend GOWAY highly. PJ WheelerA BIG THANK YOU to Goway Travel, Brooke Theron and all of the partners onsite. Our trip to Africa was incredible, memories that will last forever.
Everything planned and more went perfectly. The guides, the excursions, the accommodations, everything, was just spectacular. Fortunately, everything ran on time, no delays, no problems.
Thank you again!!
Linda IriasI have been blessed to have an amazing rep, Farooq Qaisar!
He has helped me find the best spots for my clients to experience and when I am looking for something and just can't figure it out, he is able to put together something better than I was thinking. He my go-to and I am thankful for all his help over the years!SherriGoway helped plan our two week trip to Peru and they (Virginia in particular) did a great job. The on-site logistics with Condor Travel went very smoothly, and the trip exceeded our expectations overall. They proactively suggested changes to our initial itinerary which were welcomed. I would recommend them and would work with them again in the future.Kate O'NeillWe entrusted Goway with every detail of our trip from start to finish and they came through for us superbly! Every single detail was smooth sailing. It was a joy to plan our travels with Goway!! We had an amazing trip of a lifetime!
E&DI recently went on an African Safari with my brother-in-law and sister and another couple who I knew. The entire experience was absolutely unbelievable. The complete details were flawlessly coordinated from the transfers to the breathtaking lodges. Our guides Peter showed us Kenya and Maulid Tanzania were very knowledgeable and very sharp eyes for finding the animals.
We were able to see the animals up close, learn a lot about the people, birds , vegetation etc.
We had several sundowners in the bush really added to a magical experience with beautiful sunsets.
I would highly recommend Goway to all my friends, they will not be disappointed.
Thank you to Bijal for the excellent African Safari that you put together for us. You were wonderful.Nancy HayWe enjoyed our trip very much. I was very pleased by the hotel, tours, and itinerary selections that Alice Teramoto made for us. It was all well organized and easy to follow.
Thank you very much for helping us have a great experience in Peru.INEverything was planned perfectly. The excursions were so small and personal. Ask for Mark! I have already planned another trip back to the Oregon wine country with Mark. Claire
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified