Old City Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Topkapi Palace which includes a bay or harbour, a city and a river or creek
Suleymaniye Mosque showing interior views and a mosque
Grand Bazaar which includes markets, shopping and interior views
Topkapi Palace featuring a castle and heritage architecture
Suleymaniye Mosque featuring a mosque

Popular places to visit

Blue Mosque featuring religious elements, heritage architecture and a mosque

Blue Mosque

4.5/5(77 reviews)

Named for its dazzling interior covered in blue tiles, this is a hub of Istanbul's religious life.

Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia

4.5/5(80 reviews)

A world famous monument to the ever-changing history of Istanbul, and one of the largest churches in the world.

Hagia Sophia
Grand Bazaar

Grand Bazaar

4.5/5(88 reviews)

Visit one of the biggest and oldest covered markets in the world, a real taste (and smell and sound!) of the diversity that Turkey has to offer.

Grand Bazaar
Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace

4.5/5(65 reviews)

Stately home to the Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years with an array of Turkish design and foreign art.

Topkapi Palace
Sultanahmet Square

Sultanahmet Square

4.5/5(54 reviews)

You can find out about the history of Istanbul with a stop at Sultanahmet Square. Add the area's notable monuments or stunning cathedral to your travel plans.

Sultanahmet Square
Basilica Cistern featuring religious aspects, interior views and a church or cathedral

Basilica Cistern

4.5/5(45 reviews)

'The Sunken Palace' is the biggest of the hundreds of underground reservoirs underneath the streets of Istanbul, dating from Byzantine Constantinople.

Basilica Cistern

Activities

Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table

Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table

AU$34
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table
Blue Mosque

Istanbul Must See:Hagia Sophia Bluemosqu Topkapı Basilica Cistern Bosphorus Tour

AU$135
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Istanbul Must See:Hagia Sophia Bluemosqu Topkapı Basilica Cistern Bosphorus Tour
Istanbul: Full-Day Highlights Tour with Guide and Lunch

Istanbul: Full-Day Highlights Tour with Guide and Lunch

AU$86
per adult
Istanbul: Full-Day Highlights Tour with Guide and Lunch
Basilica of St.John

Daily Trip to House of Virgin Mary, Ancient City of Ephesus, Basilica of St.John

AU$127
per adult
Daily Trip to House of Virgin Mary, Ancient City of Ephesus, Basilica of St.John
Picture 1 for Activity Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option

Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option

AU$14
per adult
74% of travellers recommend
Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option
Troy: Full-Day Tour from Istanbul

Troy: Full-Day Tour from Istanbul

AU$246
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Troy: Full-Day Tour from Istanbul
See all activities in Istanbul

Our pick of the best Old City Hotel Deals

Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
4 out of 5
Türbedar Sk. 20, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$284 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
AU$284
includes taxes & fees
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (314 reviews)
"Great experience at Carina Gold. The area is safe and close to the tramway station, the staff are very friendly and helpful, the facilities are excellent, the rooms are very clean, and the smell is exceptional. We will definitely come back again when in Sultanahmet."

Reviewed on 15 Apr. 2025

Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
4 out of 5
Piyer Loti Cad No:7, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$251 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
AU$251
includes taxes & fees
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,939 reviews)
"Great location."

Reviewed on 12 Apr. 2025

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Seven Hills Palace & Spa
Seven Hills Palace & Spa
Sultanahmet Mahallesi Kadi Cikmazi Sok., No 11 1 Fatih, Istanbul
The price is AU$485 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
AU$485
includes taxes & fees
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (718 reviews)
"Thank you to all the staff. Great location, rooms and staff. Thanks"

Reviewed on 12 Apr. 2025

Seven Hills Palace & Spa
Seven Hills Hotel - Special Class
Seven Hills Hotel - Special Class
4 out of 5
Cankurtaran Mh., Tevkifhane Sokak 8, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$306 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
AU$306
includes taxes & fees
20 Apr - 21 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (956 reviews)
"Location is perfect, staff very helpful and polite and room is big enough for three. Breakfast typical Turkish , wish they can just do buffet so not a lot of food is wasted view at the restaurant to die for. Excellent hotel!"

Reviewed on 13 Apr. 2025

Seven Hills Hotel - Special Class
Armada Istanbul Old City Hotel
Armada Istanbul Old City Hotel
4 out of 5
Ahirkapi Sok. No: 24, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$160 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
AU$160
includes taxes & fees
29 Apr - 30 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (977 reviews)
"This hotel is 10 mins walk away from the blue mosque, very convenient. The hotel is clean and rooms are nice, the breakfast buffet is simple but lovely. I would say if anyone has mobility issues then look for a hotel closer as the walking might can be steep to the tourist areas unless you’re using ..."

Reviewed on 12 Apr. 2025

Armada Istanbul Old City Hotel
Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel
Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel
5 out of 5
Divanyolu Cd. Alemdar Mah., Ticarethane Sk. No 10 Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
Fully refundable
The price is AU$247 per night from 15 May to 16 May
AU$247
includes taxes & fees
15 May - 16 May
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (800 reviews)
"Great staff! Huge breakfast buffet."

Reviewed on 14 Apr. 2025

Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel
See all 1,022 properties in Old City
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Old City

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Sirkeci

Travellers choose Sirkeci for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Sirkeci Station or Eminonu Station and check out top sights like Topkapi Palace.

Sirkeci
Blue Mosque which includes a fountain, a mosque and a pond

Sultanahmet

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Blue Mosque to Hagia Sophia – discover Sultanahmet, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Sultanahmet
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Eminönü

Known for its breathtaking beach views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Eminönü. Check out top attractions like Grand Bazaar and Bosphorus, and jump on the metro at Eminonu Station or Beyazit Station to see more of the city.

Eminönü
Galata Tower featuring a bay or harbour, night scenes and a ferry

Karaköy

Spend some time visiting places like Galata Tower while getting to know Karaköy, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Karakoy Station or Karakoy Tünel Station to see more of the area.

Karaköy
Galata Tower featuring cruising, general coastal views and a city

Galata

Travellers choose Galata for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Sishane-Zemin Metro Station or Karakoy Tünel Station and check out top sights like Galata Tower.

Galata
Galata Tower featuring a bay or harbour, night scenes and a ferry

Beyoğlu

Enjoy the popular shops in Beyoğlu. Galata Tower is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Sishane-Zemin Metro Station or Tophane Station to see more of Istanbul.

Beyoğlu

Old City Travel Guide

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