Sultanahmet District
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cultural Experience,
UNESCO Heritage Site,
Plaza / Square
Leave the present day behind and take a wander around Old Istanbul, the wonderful old Sultanahmet district.
This World Heritage-listed district is crammed with historic buildings and enough magical atmosphere to keep you enthralled for days.
Drink in the majesty of Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofia), a museum-church-mosque all in one, and admire the Blue Mosque that mirrors it. Spend days amid the riches of Topkapi Palace, and discover the underground world of the Basilica Cistern.
Then shop for everything from curly-toed slippers to magic lanterns in the massive Grand Bazaar.
Latest Reviews
Review by Julian E, April 2013
Doing what: Istanbul Small-Group Walking Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar
This was probably the best tour of the ones I did on my trip to Istanbul and Athens. Our tour guide was beyond friendly and excited about showing us all of the cool sites that we were going to see in our full day. The small group walking tour was great because it was limited to a certain number of people so it was easier to follow and listen to our guide with no problems at all. We got to see and tour the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and the Topkapi Palace. The tour also included lunch at a great restaurant in the middle of the day. Our guide was very friendly and very gracious and warm with all of our questions and observations on the trip, even helping to take photos for people who wanted to remember the amazing sites that we were visiting. I have done a number of Viator tours and this one was probably the best one because the guide was so great. She really had a great deal of knowledge to past and when I even brought up a story that another guide had mentioned, she didn't shoot my story down but rather seemed genuinely interested in learning this new information and excited to research it as she might have learned something new herself. I would say that if you go to Istanbul you absolutely must do this tour because it covers four of the most visited sites in Istanbul in great detail and its so helpful to have someone showing you around and explaining what it is you are looking at, especially in the Topkapi Palace which has so many parts and rooms and things to look at. I would highly recommend this tour and hopefully you end up with the great tour guide that we had.
Review by Alexandria E, April 2013
Doing what: Istanbul Small-Group Walking Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar
This tour was sensational. Our guide Yuke was so knowledgeable and took such time and care to explain and show everything to us. I would highly recommend doing this tour!
Review by Blanca, United Kingdom, January 2013
Doing what: Istanbul Small-Group Walking Tour: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar
Practical Info
Sultanahmet is on the European side of Istanbul. Its main thoroughfare is Divan Yolu, which runs from the Grand Bazaar to Hagia Sophia.
Strolling along this route on foot is the best way to get around Sultanahmet. You can also ride the tram which travels along Divan Yolu.
