Trip Planner:   Europe  /  Turkey  /  Istanbul  /  Sultanahmet District

Sultanahmet District, Istanbul

4.8
#1 of 44 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.
Improve this listing »
Create an itinerary including Sultanahmet District
map
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors
Sultanahmet District Tours
Eat Like a Local: Istanbul Food and Culture Tour with Dinner at Local Family Home BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $53
5
69 reviews
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Buy tours from $53
Morning Tour of Istanbul Old Town BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $51
4
1 review
Duration: 4 hours
Buy tours from $51
Classic Walking Tour of Old Istanbul BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $35
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Buy tours from $35
Sultanahmet District Reviews
Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5
14,416 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • By NestaCaerdydd
    Sultanahmet is awash with world class historic sites with a lovely open areas full of families in the evening.  more »
  • By Mar J
    We stayed in this area and loved exploring the old district of Istanbul. We found the people to be lovely...most could speak English. Loved the diversity of everything. Felt safe. So much to explore! ...  more »
  • By angelicaduarte43
    I love Istanbul, his way of being, the environment, the people... It is a beautiful place that must be visited at least once in life.
    View original
View more on TripAdvisor »
Places to stay near Sultanahmet District

Plan your trip to Istanbul

  • Get a personalized plan

    A complete day-by-day itinerary
    based on your preferences

  • Customize it

    Refine your plan. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules

  • Book it

    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off

  • Manage it

    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Popular things to do in Istanbul

View all >
©
Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya)
4.7
Duration: 1​h 30​min
©
Sultan Ahmed Mosque
4.5
Duration: 1​h
©
Topkapi Palace
4.5
Duration: 2​h 30​min
©
Galata Tower
4.3
Duration: 1​h

Historic Sites in Istanbul

View all >
©
Basilica Cistern
4.5
Duration: 1​h
©
Suleymaniye Cami
4.8
Duration: 1​h
©
Historic Areas of Istanbul
4.8
Duration: 1​h
©
Rustem Pasha Mosque
4.6
Duration: 30​min

Kid friendly things to do in Istanbul

View all >
©
Dolmabahce Palace
4.5
Duration: 2​h
©
Kapali Carsi
3.8
Duration: 1​h 30​min
©
Ortakoy
4.4
Duration: 2​h 30​min
©
Istanbul Modern Museum
4.4
Duration: 1​h 30​min

Museums in Istanbul

View all >
©
Kariye Museum (The Chora Church)
4.5
Duration: 1​h 30​min
©
Rahmi M. Koc Museum
4.8
Duration: 1​h 30​min
©
Rumeli Fortress
4.3
Duration: 1​h 30​min
©
Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum
4.8
Duration: 1​h 30​min

Shopping in Istanbul

View all >
©
Mısır Çarşısı
4.3
Duration: 1​h 30​min
©
Egyptian Bazaar
4
Duration: 1​h 30​min
©
Adnan and Hasan
4.7
Duration: 1​h 30​min
©
Last Shop Gift Shop
5
Duration: 4​h

Nearby attractions in Istanbul

©
Guided Istanbul Tours
5
Duration: 8​h
©
Real Istanbul Tours
5
Duration: 8​h
©
Taksim Square
2.3
Duration: 3​h 30​min
©
Istanbul Guided Private Tours
5
Duration: 6​h

Featured attractions

©
Nesime Kaya/ Private Day Tours
5
Duration: 4​h
©
44A Sanat Galerisi
3.9
Duration: 1​h
©
Walks In Istanbul - Tours
4.8
Duration: 3​h
©
Private Istanbul Walking Tours
5
Duration: 8​h
Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Plans to Sultanahmet District by other users

10 days in Turkey BY A USER FROM SOUTH AFRICA June, kids, relaxing, beaches, museums, shopping, popular sights PREFERENCES: June, kids, relaxing, beaches, museums, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 9 days in Istanbul & Bursa BY A USER FROM QATAR April, historic sites, shopping, slow & easy, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: April, historic sites, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Slow & easy 8 days in Turkey BY A USER FROM QATAR April, culture, historic sites, shopping, slow & easy, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: April, culture, historic sites, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Slow & easy 4 days in Istanbul BY A USER FROM TUNISIA April, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, museums, popular sights PREFERENCES: April, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 4 days in Istanbul BY A USER FROM CANADA June, culture, relaxing, historic sites, museums, slow & easy, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: June, culture, relaxing, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Slow & easy 11 days in Turkey BY A USER FROM INDIA April, popular sights PREFERENCES: April ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 6 days in Istanbul BY A USER FROM SLOVENIA March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, shopping, popular sights PREFERENCES: March, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 10 days in Turkey BY A USER FROM UNITED ARAB EMIRATES April, kids, culture, outdoors, historic sites, museums, shopping, popular sights PREFERENCES: April, kids, culture, outdoors, historic sites, museums, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 4 days in Istanbul BY A USER FROM TURKEY February, culture, historic sites, museums, slow & easy, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: February, culture, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Slow & easy 10 days in Turkey BY A USER FROM SWITZERLAND August, teens, beaches, popular sights PREFERENCES: August, teens, beaches ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 4 days in Istanbul BY A USER FROM INDIA March, teens, popular sights PREFERENCES: March, teens ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium 4 days in Istanbul BY A USER FROM INDIA March, popular sights PREFERENCES: March ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights PACE: Medium
View more plans