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Sultanahmet District, Istanbul

4.8
#1 of 36 in Neighborhoods in Turkey
Neighborhood Historic Walking Area
Boasting many of the city's most important sites, from Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque to the Grand Bazaar, Sultanahmet District serves as the historic and tourist center of Istanbul. This old district is bordered on three sides by bodies of water--the Golden Horn, Bosphorus, and Sea of Marmara--which is why it's commonly called the "Walled City." While today the quarter is only part of this expansive and sprawling city, it used to make up almost the entirety of Constantinople. Enjoy a plethora of sights while walking through the concentrated center or take a Bosphorus cruise from the shores of this peninsula. With our online itinerary creator, Istanbul attractions like Sultanahmet District can be center stage of your vacation plans, and you can find out about other attractions like it, unlike it, near it, and miles away.
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Sultanahmet District Tours
Small-Group Istanbul in One Day Tour Including Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $72
Eat Like a Local: Istanbul Food and Culture Tour with Dinner at Local Family Home BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $56
Private Tour: Istanbul’s Ottoman Experience Including Topkapi Palace and Blue Mosque BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $39
Constantinople Tour of Istanbul: Discovering the Byzantine Empire BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $36
Bosphorus Cruise and Golden Horn Tour with Cable Car from Istanbul BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $33
Sultanahmet Old City Tour with Private Guide BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $200
Morning Tour of Istanbul Old Town BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $40
Istanbul Highlights Morning Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $42
Old City Private Day Tour From Istanbul BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $109
Byzantine Istanbul Tour Along the Golden Horn BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $125
Istanbul Small-Group, 1-Day Walking Tour including Hagia Sophia BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $100
Classic Walking Tour of Old Istanbul BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $42
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Sultanahmet District Reviews
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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
12,848 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • August 20, 2017
    Fascinating and repellent, open and crammed, crowded and deserted alternating as moving from sokak to sokak. This is the beating heart of old Istanbul, surprisingly as residential as it is touristy. B...  more »
  • August 20, 2017
    Narrow streets and historical markets and mosques and Hagia Sophia are all here, you must take a tour here to admire the beauty of Istanbul
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  • August 19, 2017
    It is l zone mas antigua de Istanbul. There we find the Grand Bazaar and there is a great street activity with markets and mosques which are obligatory stop.
    View original
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Where to stay in Istanbul

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The bustling downtown core of old Istanbul is the popular choice among tourists wanting a short walking distance to the city's biggest attractions. Here you'll find hostel-style accommodations and reasonably priced and traditionally decorated hotels, as well as bed and breakfasts and inns with views overlooking the sea. Though often the most affordable, accommodations in the old city can be very overrun with tourists and street solicitors. If you seek a more relaxed stay, consider lodging near Taksim Square. This new, trendy neighborhood is a short 15-20 minute ride from the old city, but puts you closer to restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. Though the newer area of the city is a bit more upscale, you'll also find moderately priced hotels and some hostels. Look for luxury hotels in the western suburbs close to the airport, overlooking the banks of Bosphorus.
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Plans in Istanbul by other users

60 days in Europe BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, popular PREFERENCES: June, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 12 days in Europe BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: June, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 60 days in Europe BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA March, popular PREFERENCES: March ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 8 days in Istanbul BY A USER FROM MACEDONIA October, popular PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 3 days in Istanbul BY A USER FROM MACEDONIA November, popular PREFERENCES: November ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 9 days in Istanbul BY A USER FROM PAKISTAN November, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, popular PREFERENCES: November, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 18 days in Europe BY A USER FROM CANADA January, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife, fast-paced, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: January, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Fast-paced 60 days in Europe BY A USER FROM INDIA November, beaches, popular PREFERENCES: November, beaches ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 32 days in Europe BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES July, culture, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, popular PREFERENCES: July, culture, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 13 days in Turkey BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, culture, historic sites, museums, hidden gems PREFERENCES: June, culture, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 7 days in Turkey BY A USER FROM UNITED ARAB EMIRATES April, popular PREFERENCES: April ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 19 days in Europe BY A USER FROM SINGAPORE December, culture, outdoors, romantic, shopping, wildlife, popular PREFERENCES: December, culture, outdoors, romantic, shopping, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium
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