Church of Agia Sofia
Church of Agia Sofia
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Plan your visit
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,490 within 3 miles
Attractions
139 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
678 reviews
Excellent
396
Very good
214
Average
61
Poor
6
Terrible
1
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
caspardel
Faversham, UK142 contributions
Aug 2020
An impressive and large church with interesting wall paintings. The domed ceiling is brighter than the walls and a ornate candalabra hangs from the middle. This historic church is a classic place for locals to get married.
I recommend reading this history of this church on the tourist board outside
I recommend reading this history of this church on the tourist board outside
Written August 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keppel
Greater Manchester, UK207 contributions
Aug 2020
Traditional orthodox church steeped in history.No problem going in for visit. Peaceful location..I can recommend the cafe behind it-serves wonderful coffee,biscuits and various types of homemade lemonade./
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christian M
Copenhagen, Denmark6,176 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
After a 9-hour bus ride, having seen the Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople), we found ourselves standing in front of the Church of Agia Sophia in Thessaloniki, utterly confused. The two buildings look so similar that it can’t be a coincidence.
It turns out that many believe the Greek church (built in the 7th century) was modeled after the structure in Istanbul (built in the 6th century), which at the time belonged to the Orthodox Church and was famed for its design, especially its colossal dome.
Both Byzantine structures seem somewhat clumsy from the outside today, but they’re especially worth visiting for their beautiful and unique interiors. While access to the museum in Istanbul is expensive, visiting the church in Thessaloniki is free. Efcharisto!
It turns out that many believe the Greek church (built in the 7th century) was modeled after the structure in Istanbul (built in the 6th century), which at the time belonged to the Orthodox Church and was famed for its design, especially its colossal dome.
Both Byzantine structures seem somewhat clumsy from the outside today, but they’re especially worth visiting for their beautiful and unique interiors. While access to the museum in Istanbul is expensive, visiting the church in Thessaloniki is free. Efcharisto!
Written September 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smvNYC
New York City, NY363 contributions
Jun 2021
When we visited the church, preparations for a weding were in progress. Thus, apart from the beautiful icons and wall painting we were also treated with flower bouquets adorning each pew. The church, as the name suggests is designed to look like the Agia Sofia church in Constantinople (Istanbul).
Written July 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Attilaahun
Budapest, Hungary138 contributions
May 2022
As described, this is a copy of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. I’ve been there many times and if we think about it thoroughly, we can really discover the similarity of the floor plan. In a significantly reduced form, of course. The dark tone that adorns the interiors is quite unusual and astonishing. I recommend it to anyone who visits Thessaloniki.
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
klitos c
Thessaloniki, Greece9 contributions
Jun 2023
A monument that must be visited by anyone in Thessaloniki (among us, the Thessalonians as well) to admire the wonderful mosaic of the dome.
But how can he admire it when a constant darkness reigns there, as in other churches of Thessaloniki? (e.g. Agioi Apostoloi, Agios Nikolaos Orphanos). There are two ways: either to go during opening hours with the understandable restrictions (and how many churches can the tourist see on a Sunday morning?) or to have taken care to establish friendly relations with one of the priests, candlelighters, guards, cleaners of the church . Then the lights will come on. I am a resident of Thessaloniki and the only time I saw the mosaics in all their glory was when the lights were turned on thanks to a good old man while I happened to be there. All other times I was fighting the darkness. If they are thinking about the exit, let them install the system with the coin acceptor. Unless it's dismissible as Frankish.
But how can he admire it when a constant darkness reigns there, as in other churches of Thessaloniki? (e.g. Agioi Apostoloi, Agios Nikolaos Orphanos). There are two ways: either to go during opening hours with the understandable restrictions (and how many churches can the tourist see on a Sunday morning?) or to have taken care to establish friendly relations with one of the priests, candlelighters, guards, cleaners of the church . Then the lights will come on. I am a resident of Thessaloniki and the only time I saw the mosaics in all their glory was when the lights were turned on thanks to a good old man while I happened to be there. All other times I was fighting the darkness. If they are thinking about the exit, let them install the system with the coin acceptor. Unless it's dismissible as Frankish.
Written August 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon M
North East England, UK34 contributions
Sep 2022
This church is an absolute gem of Romano-Byzantine architecture. Modelled on the Hagia Sophia on Constantinople. This church was built in the 6th Century and the dome completed/re-furbished in the 8th Century. All you see is original in its colour and splendour, Luckily the church escaped the great fire in 1917.
Entrance is free and is on one level
Entrance is free and is on one level
Written October 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PierreBriere
Saint-Joachim, France9,678 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Dating mainly from the 14th century (but beginning in the 8th century), it was damaged by an earthquake and a fire in 1890 and again in 1917. It is characterized by its size and its basilica plan with 3 naves. To see the capitals with deviated acanthus leaves (as if the wind were blowing!) and the dome, not quite circular, decorated with mosaics representing the ascent of Christ surrounded by the Virgin, itself framed by 2 angels.
Automatically translated
Written June 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Am_et_Mat
Neuilly-sur-Seine, France502 contributions
Aug 2019
Unfortunately, we did not manage to visit it but, from the outside, it looks great.
Some specificities must be given:
- the church is in the middle of a garden
- the church is built below the street level assuming that, in the past, the street level was lower
- at several corners, you'll fin little temples with an icon and candles. Religious believers can go there when the church is closed or just when they are around the chruch
Some specificities must be given:
- the church is in the middle of a garden
- the church is built below the street level assuming that, in the past, the street level was lower
- at several corners, you'll fin little temples with an icon and candles. Religious believers can go there when the church is closed or just when they are around the chruch
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SavoirVivre
Germany1,853 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Hagia Sophia (Greek Αγία Σοφία - Agia Sofia) is a church dedicated to the Holy Wisdom in the center of Thessaloniki. The three-aisled basilica was built in the 7th century on the foundations of a church from 315 and is considered a forerunner of the cross-domed churches. The dome has a diameter of 10 meters and the floor plan of the church is almost square. Mosaics from the 8th and 9th centuries can be seen inside.
The fire in Thessaloniki in 1917 mainly damaged the interior of the building, and in 1980 a comprehensive renovation took place.
In 1988 the church was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the collective name Early Christian and Byzantine Buildings in Thessaloniki.
If you are in the center, you should take a look at the church but don't have too high expectations. There are definitely nicer places of worship inside.
The fire in Thessaloniki in 1917 mainly damaged the interior of the building, and in 1980 a comprehensive renovation took place.
In 1988 the church was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the collective name Early Christian and Byzantine Buildings in Thessaloniki.
If you are in the center, you should take a look at the church but don't have too high expectations. There are definitely nicer places of worship inside.
Written November 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
posso fornire il telefono per le informazioni 2310270253
Written October 9, 2018
A Tripadvisor member
Thessaloniki, Greece
It has no entrance fee. It has only certain visiting hours during daytime through the week and after religious ceremonies that are held there. And from dressing code, wearing short trousers is not allowed. Hope I helped you a bit.
Written May 6, 2017
Showing results 1-4 of 4
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing