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Galata Tower vs Hagia Sophia Mosque

Both are praised by those who travel for a living. Overall, Hagia Sophia ranks significantly better than Galata Tower. Hagia Sophia comes in at #6 in Istanbul with praise from 8 publications such as Concierge, Frommer's and Afar Magazine.

Galata Tower
Galata Tower
8 / 10
Buyuk Hendek Cad., Istanbul, Turkey
From $0 /night
Fodor's Fodor's
"The hillside location provided good defense, as well as a perch from which to monitor the comings and goings of vessels in the sea lanes below." Full review
Lonely Planet Lonely Planet
Top Choice
"Constructed in 1348, it was the tallest structure in the city for centuries, and it still dominates the skyline north of the Golden Horn." Full review
Michelin Guide Michelin Guide
1 Star
"A district full of life on the banks of the Bosphorus, culminating in the 68m-high Galata Tower... delightful 360° view." Full review
Afar Magazine Afar Magazine
"On the 21 March, I climbed the Galata Tower to see if a 470 year old Istanbul love story was true." Full review
Michelin Guide Michelin Guide
1 Star
"The imposing Galata Tower is 68m tall. Built in 1348, it was the main bastion of the Genoese surrounding wall. Modified by the Ottomans, it served as a prison then a watchtower." Full review
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Hagia Sophia Mosque
Hagia Sophia Mosque
9 / 10
Sultanahmet, Eminonu District, Istanbul, Turkey
From $0 /night
Fodor's 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 Concierge
"Don't even dream of leaving Istanbul without visiting this holy trinity of sights."
Frommer's Frommer's
"For almost a thousand years, the Ayasofya was a triumph of Christianity and the symbol of Byzantium." Full review
Lonely Planet Lonely Planet
Top 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 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
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