A paid entrance to a popular attraction will be introduced in Istanbul
Archive material. Date of change on the old site: 2023-11-01. Prices, dates and conditions are retained from the original and may be out of date.
The Turkish government has announced the introduction of an entrance fee to the Hagia Sophia in order to reduce congestion and provide funding for the maintenance and repair of this historic site. According to Frommer's, Turkey's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, presented the decision earlier this week.
This initiative was preceded by a decision by the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2020, when Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque with regular religious services. The decision caused considerable global outrage, as the 1,500-year-old building, recognized as one of the most significant architectural monuments in the world, was previously a museum open to the public.
As of 2020, the condition of the Hagia Sophia has caused global concern due to over-traffic, possible damage to the building, and questionable management of the preservation of its unique art and architecture.
You may be interested in:
Finnair Cancels 550 Flights
Transport for 49 Euros: German Authorities Keep the Price Until Year-End
Ryanair Opens New Summer Routes to Italy
Rome Named Europe’s Least Safe City
Unusually Warm Winter Returns to Spain
Saudi Arabia Will Build the Unusual Hotel “The Rig”
Low-Cost Airline Ryanair Has Cancelled 12 Flights
A New One&Only Hotel Will Open in Greece
A Large-Scale Strike Paralyses Rail Traffic in Germany
Kenya cancels visas for tourists
Italy raises fines for damage to cultural heritage
Italy and Slovenia plan to restore a historic railway route
Hundreds of flights were canceled in Germany due to bad weather
The narrowest hotel in the world has appeared in Indonesia
Free entry to 60 museums is once again available in Berlin
A 2,500-year-old city has been found in Ecuador
Greece introduces a new fee for tourists
Spain brings back mask requirements: how this will affect tourists
TripAdvisor has identified the trendiest destinations in the world
Rome's Trevi Fountain collected a record amount of money last year
Get an individual tour selection at the best price!
We offer hotels that our experts have personally checked
We follow the offers of all tour operators and find tours at the best price
We guarantee support from a personal manager at every stage of your holiday
Only 4 steps to an unforgettable vacation!
Step #1
Send a request and our managers will select the best vacation options for you.
Step #2
Make the payment in a convenient way for you - on the website or in the office.
Step #3
Get documents for the tour
Step #4
Enjoy your vacation, and we'll make sure it's great.