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

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
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
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
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
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
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$41
per adult
78% 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$121
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Istanbul Must See:Hagia Sophia Bluemosqu Topkapı Basilica Cistern Bosphorus Tour
The dome and windows at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul

Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar - Half-Day Small Group Tour

AU$83
per adult
Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar - Half-Day Small Group Tour
Basilica of St.John

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

AU$123
per adult
Daily Trip to House of Virgin Mary, Ancient City of Ephesus, Basilica of St.John
Celsus Library in Ephesus

Full-day Tour to Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary, Isabey Mosque, Temple of Artemis

AU$123
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Full-day Tour to Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary, Isabey Mosque, Temple of Artemis
Istanbul: Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table

Istanbul: Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table

AU$27
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Istanbul: Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table
See all activities in Istanbul

Our pick of the best Old City Hotel Deals

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
4 out of 5
Piyer Loti Cad No:7, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$149 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
AU$149
includes taxes & fees
1 Feb - 2 Feb
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! (1,823 reviews)
"The location of this hotel can't be beat. Its close walking distance to some of the most prominent attractions as well as to the tram. The view from the terrace restaurant is incredible. However the rooms are pretty average. Our room constantly had a smell (may be due to being closed and heat on). ..."

Reviewed on 5 Jan. 2025

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
4 out of 5
Türbedar Sk. 20, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$146 per night from 13 Jan to 14 Jan
AU$146
includes taxes & fees
13 Jan - 14 Jan
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! (148 reviews)
"Great place! Excellent location, very convenient. We recommend it a lot."

Reviewed on 6 Jan. 2025

Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
Hotel Amira Istanbul
Hotel Amira Istanbul
Kucuk Ayasofya Mahallesi Mustafa, Pasa Sokak No: 43 Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$183 per night from 12 Jan to 13 Jan
AU$183
includes taxes & fees
12 Jan - 13 Jan
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,005 reviews)
"Walkable to all major areas"

Reviewed on 5 Jan. 2025

Hotel Amira Istanbul
Sultanahmet Palace Hotel - Special Class
Sultanahmet Palace Hotel - Special Class
4 out of 5
Sultanahmet mah. Torun Sokak, No:19, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$162 per night from 14 Jan to 15 Jan
AU$162
includes taxes & fees
14 Jan - 15 Jan
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (952 reviews)
"Me and my wife had an awesome experience staying at this hotel. The staff is very friendly and can help you find everything you need. There is no better spot to stay in if you are inIstanbul for site seeing. I can also recommend their guide service for $120 US I had a complete personal tour of all ..."

Reviewed on 30 Dec. 2024

Sultanahmet Palace Hotel - Special Class
GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa - Special Class
GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa - Special Class
5 out of 5
Akbiyik Cad No 46, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$141 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
AU$141
includes taxes & fees
1 Feb - 2 Feb
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"Nice hotel in a great part of Istanbul. Walking distance from many attractions and restaurants."

Reviewed on 4 Jan. 2025

GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa - Special Class
Radisson Hotel President Old Town Istanbul
Radisson Hotel President Old Town Istanbul
Tiyatro Caddesi, No. 25, Beyazit, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$160 per night from 20 Jan to 21 Jan
AU$160
includes taxes & fees
20 Jan - 21 Jan
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (988 reviews)
"Nice hotel and friendly staff, excellent spa services specifically the massage lady from Bali!"

Reviewed on 31 Dec. 2024

Radisson Hotel President Old Town Istanbul
See all 1,052 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 Eminonu Pier.

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 Eminönü Square and Egyptian Bazaar, 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. Taksim Square 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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