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
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 shops 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$119
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Istanbul Must See:Hagia Sophia Bluemosqu Topkapı Basilica Cistern Bosphorus Tour
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
Istanbul: Full-Day Highlights Tour with Guide and Lunch

Istanbul: Full-Day Highlights Tour with Guide and Lunch

AU$68
per adult
Istanbul: Full-Day Highlights Tour with Guide and Lunch
The dome and windows at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul

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

AU$86
per adult
Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar - Half-Day Small Group Tour
Troy: Full-Day Tour from Istanbul

Troy: Full-Day Tour from Istanbul

AU$215
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

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
4 out of 5
Piyer Loti Cad No:7, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$205 per night from 28 Mar to 29 Mar
AU$205
includes taxes & fees
28 Mar - 29 Mar
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! (1,901 reviews)
"Great location, lovely interior, friendly staff, great buffet breakfast, easy access to main sights."

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 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$308 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
AU$308
includes taxes & fees
29 Mar - 30 Mar
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. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (697 reviews)
"Love it and would recommend"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2025

Seven Hills Palace & Spa
Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
4 out of 5
Türbedar Sk. 20, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$145 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
AU$145
includes taxes & fees
9 Apr - 10 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! (282 reviews)
"Great location, nice breakfast, very helpful staff"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2025

Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
AJWA Sultanahmet
AJWA Sultanahmet
5 out of 5
Emin Sinan Mah Piyerloti Cad No: 30, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
The price is AU$357 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
AU$357
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (740 reviews)
"We loved our time here. It was perfect!"

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2025

AJWA Sultanahmet
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$202 per night from 28 Mar to 29 Mar
AU$202
includes taxes & fees
28 Mar - 29 Mar
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (938 reviews)
"One of the best hotel I’ve been to. Friendly staff one of the best!"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2025

Seven Hills 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$196 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
AU$196
includes taxes & fees
2 Apr - 3 Apr
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! (1,002 reviews)
"Lovely staff, ideal location"

Reviewed on 11 Mar. 2025

GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa - Special Class
See all 1,021 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 Grand Bazaar.

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. 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

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