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
Sultanahmet Square

Sultanahmet Square

4.5/5(54 reviews)

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
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
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$54
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$132
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$150
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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$209 per night from 15 July to 16 July
AU$209
15 July - 16 July
includes taxes & fees
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! (438 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 30 Jun. 2025

Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Piyer Loti Cad No:7, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$233 per night from 7 July to 8 July
AU$233
7 July - 8 July
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! (1,998 reviews)
"Nice quiet area but very close to a tram line. Blue mosque and Haifa Sofia visible from restaurant and only a few minutes walk, ideal position. Very friendly and helpful staff"

Reviewed on 2 Jul. 2025

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Hotel Arcadia Blue Istanbul
Hotel Arcadia Blue Istanbul
4 out of 5
Dr. Imran Oktem Cad. No:1, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
The price is AU$192 per night from 29 July to 30 July
AU$192
29 July - 30 July
includes taxes & fees
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)
"This is a wonderful Hotel. Located within walking distance from the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, and the Metro train. The staff were exceptional, and attentive. This was our first time in Istanbul so we welcomed their handy tips. The restaurant on the 9th floor serves a breakfast full of options and ..."

Reviewed on 25 Jun. 2025

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$558 per night from 16 July to 17 July
AU$558
16 July - 17 July
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! (797 reviews)
"Amazing hotel. The facilities are great and the staff are welcoming and friendly. Iv stayed here twice now and would come back again."

Reviewed on 30 Jun. 2025

AJWA Sultanahmet
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$145 per night from 14 July to 15 July
AU$145
14 July - 15 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! (977 reviews)
"Good location"

Reviewed on 30 Jun. 2025

Armada Istanbul Old City Hotel
Seven Hills Palace & Spa
Seven Hills Palace & Spa
Sultanahmet Mahallesi Kadi Cikmazi Sok., No 11 1 Fatih, Istanbul
The price is AU$269 per night from 4 July to 5 July
AU$269
4 July - 5 July
includes taxes & fees
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! (807 reviews)
"Beautiful room and very attentive staff. The hotel had clearly been designed and decorated in an aspirational and flamboyant style. It felt as though it was efficiently run and staff were all expected to maintain a standard. My room was clean and the breakfast was tremendous. There was a sense of ..."

Reviewed on 1 Jul. 2025

Seven Hills Palace & Spa
See all 1,055 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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