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)

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
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$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! (422 reviews)
"Staff was helpful, accommodating and kind at every level. The rooms and property was top notch excluding the small elevators."

Reviewed on 21 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$232 per night from 27 June to 28 June
AU$232
27 June - 28 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! (1,994 reviews)
"Close to all the main attractions"

Reviewed on 22 Jun. 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$203 per night from 1 July to 2 July
AU$203
1 July - 2 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)
"Great views! Very helpful staff. Location very convenient on a quieter street."

Reviewed on 16 Jun. 2025

Hotel Arcadia Blue Istanbul
Armada Istanbul Old City Hotel
Armada Istanbul Old City Hotel
4 out of 5
Ahirkapi Sok. No: 24, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
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! (976 reviews)
"This charming hotel was a perfect place from which to explore Sultanahmet. I loved the older charm and authentic decor. The rooftop has amazing views of both the Bosphorus Strait and the Hagia Sophia."

Reviewed on 17 Jun. 2025

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Armada Istanbul Old City Hotel
AJWA Sultanahmet
AJWA Sultanahmet
5 out of 5
Emin Sinan Mah Piyerloti Cad No: 30, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
The price is AU$557 per night from 25 June to 26 June
AU$557
25 June - 26 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! (791 reviews)
"Stunning place, great location"

Reviewed on 21 Jun. 2025

AJWA Sultanahmet
GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa - Special Class
GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa - Special Class
Akbiyik Cad No 46, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$210 per night from 29 June to 30 June
AU$210
29 June - 30 June
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
"Normal hotel on the old side (furniture, etc.), clean and very convenient (walkable)"

Reviewed on 16 Jun. 2025

GLK PREMIER Regency Suites & Spa - Special Class
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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