The interior is stunning. However, a lot of it is cordoned off so we couldn;t really look around the whole building. The building is no longer a museum: it's now used as a mosque so a lot of things in my guide book (a few years old) were out of date. The upstairs gallery was closed for renovations, which meant we couldn't visit. The acoustics are remarkable. That does mean that school parties are quite noisy.

Our guide Halur had a great mix of history and unusual facts and pointed out many details which we would not have noticed or known about ourselves. Nice size group, faster entry into the site and the office helped us on the phone when we couldn’t find the meeting point. Great service and a nice short intro to the mosque with time to explore freely afterwards.

A guided tour definitely enhances your experience.

Our guide, Adil, was knowledgeable, courteous and experienced. I definitely recommend hiring a guide if you've never previously visited. Also reduces wait time for admission, especially during holy dates. The guide handed us a paper ticket for admission when we arrived. The guide communicated effectively via text before our appointment. You will be free to walk about Hagia Sophia after your your ends. There are restroom and concessions outside of the Hagia Sophia. There are opportunities to purchase souvenirs inside and outside the building. Prices are reasonable. Excellent experience. Excellent dollar value.