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Hagia Sophia MosquevsSuleymaniye Mosque
Hagia Sophia and Suleymaniye Mosque are both rated very highly by professionals. On balance, Suleymaniye Mosque scores slightly better than Hagia Sophia. Suleymaniye Mosque has a TripExpert Score of 94 with positive reviews from 7 publications such as Frommer's, Concierge and Fodor's.
Hagia Sophia Mosque
Fodor's
Concierge
Frommer's
Lonely Planet
Travel + Leisure
Michelin Guide
Let's Go
Afar Magazine
Time Out Lonely Planet Show All Reviews
Sultanahmet, Eminonu District, Istanbul, Turkey
From $0/night
Fodor's "This soaring edifice is perhaps the greatest work of Byzantine architecture and for almost a thousand years... it was the world's largest and most important religious monument. " Full review
Concierge "Don't even dream of leaving Istanbul without visiting this holy trinity of sights."
Frommer's "For almost a thousand years, the Ayasofya was a triumph of Christianity and the symbol of Byzantium." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Sophia in Latin, Haghia Sofia in Greek and the Church of the Divine Wisdom in English, this extraordinary building is İstanbul's most famous monument." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Hagia Sophia reigned as the greatest church in Christendom from the fourth century to the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453." Full review
Michelin Guide 3 Stars
"An almost mystical sense of awe... a quite memorable visit!" Full review
Let's Go "The Hagia Sophia (or the more beautiful way of saying it, Aya Sofya) is Istanbul in one building." Full review
Afar Magazine "Hagia Sophia is a museum, welcoming visitors from all around the world, representing the integration of Islam and Christianity in Istanbul. " Full review
Time Out "The Hagia Sophia is among Istanbul's most popular and iconic historic sites – and for good reason: its massive, transcendent interior is breathtaking and can easily be gazed at for hours." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"Standing in walled gardens amid symphonies of birdsong, 4km west of centre, is this fine 13th-century church-turned-mosque retaining some carved reliefs and colourful Christian-era murals" Full review
Suleymaniye Mosque Fodor's Concierge Lonely Planet Travel + Leisure Michelin Guide Let's Go Fodor's Travel + Leisure Frommer's Travel + Leisure
Mimar Sinan Cd, Suleymaniye Mh, Istanbul, Turkey
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Fodor's "Perched on a hilltop opposite Istanbul University, Süleymaniye Camii is perhaps the most magnificent mosque in Istanbul and is considered one of the architect Sinan's masterpieces." Full review
Concierge "Escape the Sultanahmet crowds and head for this impressive and undervisited complex, just a short walk past the University from the back of the Grand Bazaar."
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"The Süleymaniye crowns one of the seven hills dominating the Golden Horn and provides a magnificent landmark for the entire city." Full review
Travel + Leisure "This stunning 16th-century mosque complex encompasses a hospital, primary school, caravansary, four Koran schools, a medical college, a public kitchen, and the mausoleum." Full review
Michelin Guide 3 Stars
"The elegant silhouette of Suleyman's mosque rises gracefully towards the sky." Full review
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From the terraced gardens, the view extends as far as the Golden Horn.
Let's Go "With the highest dome in the city, this mosque represents Ottoman architecture at its innovative best." Full review
Fodor's "Perched on a hilltop opposite Istanbul University, Süleymaniye Camii is perhaps the most magnificent mosque in Istanbul and is considered one of the architect Sinan's masterpieces." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Suleymaniye Mosque is considered Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan's most splendid Istanbul mosque, and the architect himself is buried in a tomb on the site"
Istanbul Travel Guide
August 16, 2021
Frommer's "Perched on one of the seven hills of Istanbul and dominating the skyline, this complex is considered to be Sinan's masterpiece as much as the grand monument to Süleyman's reign" Full review
Travel + Leisure "Built in the 16th century to honor Sultan Süleyman...the central dome stands at a staggering 154 feet tall and the interior is beautifully decorated with colors of gold, green, red, and blue."
25 Best Things to Do in Istanbul
September 28, 2023
