Sultanahmet

Istanbul

Blue Mosque featuring a mosque, a pond and a fountain
Blue Mosque showing heritage architecture, religious elements and a mosque
Blue Mosque which includes heritage architecture and a mosque
Gulhane Park featuring a park
Sultanahmet which includes heritage elements
Discover the historical heart of one of the world’s most happening places: an ancient Roman, Greek and Ottoman city connecting Europe to the Middle East.

Visit the Sultanahmet district of the Old City to find many of Istanbul’s star attractions. Occupying the tip of the historical peninsula on the border of Asia and Europe, this district was formerly the strategic capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

Sultanahmet is still a strategic spot to base yourself today. Just to the northwest, on the tip of the historical peninsula, is central Istanbul’s main railway station by the Golden Horn and there are ferries everywhere.

This always lively neighbourhood is also packed with UNESCO-protected historical sites. Start your self-guided tour at the Alman Çesmesi (German Fountain) in Sultanahmet Square. Standing at the spot of the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople, gaze up at the tall spiral column that was brought in from Delphi in Greece. Don’t miss the famous Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) and the Binbirdirek Cistern, home to the 1001 Cistern Museum. Before leaving the square, surround yourself with the aromas and colors of the small Arasta Bazaar and browse its Great Palace Mosaic Museum.

When you need an energy boost, order a strong coffee with sweet treats or a meze lunch in one of the charming cafés and restaurants of the touristy Sultanahmet neighborhood.

Stroll to Istanbul’s famous Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine church and Ottoman-era mosque that is now a museum. As you venture inside, one of Istanbul’s most wonderful structures is located right under your feet: the museum’s subterranean Basilica Cistern. The reservoir used to supply the water for the nearby Topkapı Palace.

After visiting Hagia Sophia, enjoy the fresh air in Gülhane Park on the grounds of the famous Topkapı Palace.

To submerge yourself in the Turkish lifestyle, visit a local hammam(traditional bath house) for a scrub and massage. At sunset, do as the locals do and order fresh or fried seafood on the Galata Bridge. Look west towardsEuropeand east across theBosphorustowardsAsia as the skies change color.

When you stroll back to your hotel after dark, you will be treated to the unforgettable view of ancient palace roofs, synagogue domes, mosque minarets and church towers illuminated by colorful spotlights. This panorama is a stunning reflection of Sultanahmet’s diverse history and promising future.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Sultanahmet Hotel Deals

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class

Piyer Loti Cad No:7, Istanbul, Istanbul
$167 nightly
The price is $187 total per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
$187 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
Total with taxes and 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! (2,061 reviews)
"Very friendly and helpful concierge. I highly recommend this hotel"

Reviewed on Aug 21, 2025

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant

Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant

4 out of 5
Türbedar Sk. 20, Istanbul, Istanbul
$115 nightly
The price is $129 total per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
$129 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
Total with taxes and 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! (519 reviews)
"The location is fabulous."

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2025

Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
Seven Hills Hotel - Special Class

Seven Hills Hotel - Special Class

Cankurtaran Mh., Tevkifhane Sokak 8, Istanbul, Istanbul
$94 nightly
The price is $105 total per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
$105 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (998 reviews)
"Perfect location, around centrally areas"

Reviewed on Aug 22, 2025

Seven Hills Hotel - Special Class
Seven Hills Palace & Spa

Seven Hills Palace & Spa

Sultanahmet Mahallesi Kadi Cikmazi Sok., No 11 1 Fatih, Istanbul
$141 nightly
The price is $158 total per night from Sep 11 to Sep 12
$158 total
Sep 11 - Sep 12
Total with taxes and 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! (876 reviews)
"The staff was amazing and it was walkable but yet quiet and relaxing."

Reviewed on Aug 22, 2025

Seven Hills Palace & Spa
AJWA Sultanahmet

AJWA Sultanahmet

5 out of 5
Emin Sinan Mah Piyerloti Cad No: 30, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
$268 nightly
The price is $301 total per night from Aug 27 to Aug 28
$301 total
Aug 27 - Aug 28
Total with taxes and 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! (833 reviews)
"Simply fantastic, one of the most beautiful and stylish hotels where I've ever been"

Reviewed on Aug 20, 2025

AJWA Sultanahmet
Senatus Hotel - Special Class

Senatus Hotel - Special Class

Akbiyik Caddesi No: 40, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
$63 nightly
The price is $70 total per night from Aug 28 to Aug 29
$70 total
Aug 28 - Aug 29
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (998 reviews)
"Comfortable spacious and pretty quiet room given the location in a very touristy street. Staff at the front desk were very helpful with advice and assisting with booking a boat tour and airport transfers."

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2025

Senatus Hotel - Special Class
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 neighborhoods around Sultanahmet

Bosphorus featuring a monument, a bay or harbor and a bridge

Sirkeci

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Sirkeci. Spend some time visiting top spots like Topkapi Palace, and catch the metro at Sirkeci Station or Eminonu Station to see more of the area.

Sirkeci
Eminönü

Eminönü

Known for its breathtaking beach views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Eminönü. Check out top attractions like Grand Bazaar and Eminönü Square, and jump on the metro at Eminonu Station or Beyazit Station to see more of the city.

Eminönü
Galata Tower showing night scenes, a ferry and a bay or harbor

Karaköy

Consider a visit to Galata Tower and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Karaköy. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Karakoy Station or Karakoy Tünel Station.

Karaköy
Galata Tower which includes a marina, general coastal views and a city

Galata

Spend some time visiting places like Galata Tower while getting to know Galata, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Sishane-Zemin Metro Station or Karakoy Tünel Station to see more of the area.

Galata
Galata Tower showing night scenes, a ferry and a bay or harbor

Beyoğlu

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

Travelers love Beyoğlu for its popular shops, and you can see more of Istanbul by jumping on the metro at Sishane-Zemin Metro Station or Tophane Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Taksim Square and Galata Tower.

Beyoğlu
Istanbul which includes a marina, landscape views and general coastal views

Fatih

4.5/5(2,609 area reviews)

Explore historic libraries and diverse cuisines in this area, home to Istanbul University and the Orthodox Christian Patriarchate. Visit iconic sights like Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia, and discover what's nearby via the tramway from Sirkeci to Aksaray.

Fatih


Sultanahmet

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