When visiting Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, you’ll want to take pictures, but where are the best photo spots? Don’t worry; I’ve scouted out the locations where you can capture amazing snaps of one of the most remarkable buildings in the world.
Here are the BEST photo spots of the Hagia Sophia.
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Best Time for Photos
Once the world’s largest cathedral and now a mosque, the Hagia Sophia is nearly 1500 years old. Understandably, it is one of the most popular attractions in the country, drawing in over 3 million visitors annually. Due to its size and the crowds, many of the best photo spots of the Hagia Sophia are from a distance.
The first time I visited Istanbul and saw all of the people in Sultanahmet, I set my alarm early for the following day. I headed to get my photo of the Hagia Sophia—and success! No one else was around, but neither was the sunlight, which rose from behind this magnificent building, leaving me in the shadows. See the photo on the left. This is NOT the holiday pic that you want!
For photography, the best light is in the late afternoon and early evening when the sun shines directly onto the building. Blue hour and night shots can also be pretty magical because the minarets, windows, and portions of the front facade are lit up.
Hotel Arcadia Blue
The rooftop restaurant of the Hotel Arcadia Blue is my favourite photo spot for the Hagia Sophia. You need a reservation to access the restaurant, which has indoor seating and an outdoor terrace with amazing views of Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, and the Marmara Sea.
While I have never stayed at this hotel, I’ve had dinner at their restaurant several times. They serve great Turkish food, and the view, especially as the sun sets, will take your breath away.
Note: The above-featured image of the Hagia Sophia with the pinky sky was also taken at the Hotel Acadia Blue.
Seven Hills Restaurant
The Seven Hills Restaurant is one of the better-known photo spots. Don’t get me wrong; I love its rooftop view. But the restaurant’s growing popularity means it gets crowded, so make a reservation.
Seven Hills also has a seagull feeding platform. Tourists hold up forkfuls of fish, and the birds swarm in to snatch up their dinner. So expect that the seagulls will photo-bomb most of your photos.
Old House Restuarant
The Old House Restaurant Terrace Cafe is just behind the Seven Hills Restaurant. So you get pretty much the same view, but it’s less crowded and less likely to require a reservation.
The view from their glass-enclosed terrace is terrific! When I visited, I had to crop my pictures slightly, as there was a bit of messy construction at a nearby building. But I’m not disappointed with the results.
The restaurant specializes in fish, but I enjoyed some appetizers and a glass of Turkish wine while gazing at the Hagia Sophia.
Seafront Lounge
The rooftop of the Seafront Lounge is a new favourite. I’ll definitely be going back.
While the Hagia Sophia is a little further away than Seven Hills or the Old House Restaurant, you won’t be disappointed with your photos or the service. And you’ll get an even better view of the Marmara Sea.
Bonus Tip: If you visit at the beginning of April, the wisteria will be blooming. Get a fantastic shot of the Hagia Sophia, plus the wisteria-covered hotel across the street.
Sultan Ahmet Park Fountain
When you visit any of the four restaurants mentioned above, you’ll need to pay for at least a drink to sit on their terrace. But the good news is that some of the best photo spots of the Hagia Sophia are free. I love capturing a shot from behind the fountain in Sultan Ahmet Park.
Of course, this area will be more crowded, especially during the day. But if you head here after dinner, you’ll get a nice shot of the Hagia Sophia all lit up, and the fountain lights changing colour.
Pathway next to Hürrem Sultan Hamam
You might not even notice the lanterns during the day, but they line the pathway alongside one of the most beautiful hamams in Istanbul, Hurrem Sultan Bath. But if you wait until the blue hour, these pretty lanterns will add a golden glow to your photos.
It’s a little harder to get all of Hagia Sophia into your shot from this spot, but I love the lanterns with the pathway and the massive dome in the background.
Doorway of the Blue Mosque
You need a little luck to get this photo through the doorway. During the day, it’s a busy entrance to the Blue Mosque, and the pathway is often crowded. And at nighttime, the doors are closed. But if you go around 8-ish in the morning before either the Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque opens, you might be able to get a clear shot.
I think it’s one of the best photo spots because I love how the old green iron doors frame the shot of the Hagia Sophia. And don’t worry if you get a few people in your photo. One of my favourite pictures was taken from this very spot and included a couple holding hands.
In April, with the Tulips
Springtime in Istanbul guarantees amazing photos. From the end of March to early April, the gardens around the fountain in Sultan Ahmet Park are filled with beautiful tulips.
This is still a good photo spot of the Hagia Sophia any time of the year, but the spring flowers add a little something special. Spring is a busier time in Istanbul, especially for Turkish tourists who come to see all of the tulips around Hagia Sophia and in the nearby Gülhane Park,
Dome Close-up
The area right in front of the Hagia Sophia can often get crowded, especially on Fridays, when the line for the prayer entrance is the longest. Or with tourists posing for pictures.
But right out front is the best place for a close-up of the Hagia Sophia’s awe-inspiring dome. This is its second dome, which is actually higher than the original which collapsed in an earthquake in 558 AD.
I’m a fan of zooming in on the dome, but a shot with a single minaret is also lovely. This dome shot with the seagull is another one of my favourites. I hope you like it too!
If you want to visit the inside of the Hagia Sophia, which I’d highly recommend, check out my Ultimate Guide for Visiting the Hagia Sophia.
