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

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

Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia

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

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

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

Find out about the history of Sultanahmet Square, one of the top monuments in Istanbul. Add the area's shops or stunning cathedral to your travel plans.

Sultanahmet Square
Suleymaniye Mosque showing a mosque

Süleymaniye Mosque

Admire the stunning exterior architecture and captivating interior design of the grandest mosque in Istanbul.

Süleymaniye Mosque

Activities

Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table

Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table

AU$53
per adult
88% 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$131
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$83
per adult
Istanbul: Full-Day Highlights Tour with Guide and Lunch
Picture 1 for Activity Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option

Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option

AU$14
per adult
Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Sunset Option
Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar Tour

Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar Tour

AU$54
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar Tour
Basilica of St.John

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

AU$148
per adult
Daily Trip to House of Virgin Mary, Ancient City of Ephesus, Basilica of St.John
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
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! (410 reviews)
"Fantastic find in a prime location between Sultanahmet Square and the Grand Bazaar! Easy walking distance to major tourist attractions on the historic peninsula. Staff were very friendly and helpful … special thanks to Halil and Burak in particular. Great dining options close by. The bed was very ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jun. 2025

Get rates
Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Piyer Loti Cad No:7, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$230 per night from 25 June to 26 June
AU$230
25 June - 26 June
includes taxes & fees
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 restaurant in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,968 reviews)
"The staff were super friendly and receptive"

Reviewed on 10 Jun. 2025

Sultanhan 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$183 per night from 1 July to 2 July
AU$183
1 July - 2 July
includes taxes & fees
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! (980 reviews)
"Can’t decide what made this stay extra special: charming and helpful staff, luxurious sheets, funky bar, rooftop terrace with view, quiet and colorful neighborhood, lots of restaurants close by, proximity to Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, historic decor? The only downers were smallish size rooms and ..."

Reviewed on 27 May 2025

Armada Istanbul Old City Hotel
Hotel Arcadia Blue Istanbul
Hotel Arcadia Blue Istanbul
4 out of 5
Dr. Imran Oktem Cad. No:1, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Great location to the tour area and great breakfast with beautiful view"

Reviewed on 12 Jun. 2025

Get rates
Hotel Arcadia Blue Istanbul
AJWA Sultanahmet
AJWA Sultanahmet
5 out of 5
Emin Sinan Mah Piyerloti Cad No: 30, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
The price is AU$552 per night from 24 June to 25 June
AU$552
24 June - 25 June
includes taxes & fees
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! (786 reviews)
"Fabulous hotel! The staff could not have been more accommodating when we experienced a medical issue which caused extra work for several employees. They took such excellent care of us and helped to resolve the issue. Would love to stay here again. Fabulous views from the restaurant of the sea! Good ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jun. 2025

AJWA Sultanahmet
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$261 per night from 24 June to 25 June
AU$261
24 June - 25 June
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Emir at front desk is very professional and as a gentleman. Very helpful to address any questions. Highly recommended"

Reviewed on 9 Jun. 2025

GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa - Special Class
See all 1,045 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
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
Istanbul which includes a city, a marina and a sunset

Fatih

4.5/5(230 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Fatih. Blue Mosque is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Aksaray Station or Yusufpasa Station to see more of Istanbul.

Fatih

Old City Travel Guide

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