City: Sultanahmet
Top Things to do in Sultanahmet
What to do and see in Sultanahmet, Turkey: The Best Things to do
The mosques, bazaars, and Turkish baths of Istanbul could keep you happily occupied for your entire trip: an eyeful of breathtaking architecture here, a good-natured haggle over a carpet there. Kick your trip off at the awe-inspiring Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), which is visible from many points of the city. Stroll the Galata Bridge and stop by the Miniaturk Park to see its tiny artifacts. The Grand Bazaar has thousands of shops to browse, while the Egyptian Bazaar is a fragrant trove of spices and fruits.
Restaurants in Istanbul
1. Historic Areas of Istanbul
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10,677 reviews
Reviewed By titizel - Istanbul, Turkey
While you are visiting İstanbul, there are landmarks to visit. Sultan Ahmet Area, Blue Mosque, Galata Tower, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace and Dolmabahçe Palace. That are most populer places. But I advise you to add Maiden Tower and take a Bosphorus Tour.
2. Serefiye Sarnici
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 272 reviews
Reviewed By luke265
Super nice and well maintained, Most importantly its free and way fewer visitors compared to the famous Basilica Cistern,
3. Blue Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34,581 reviews
Built between 1609-1616, this impressive mosque has six minarets. Why is it called "Blue Mosque?" There are two stories: the first, more common one is that the interior is covered in Blue İznik tiles. The second is: many years ago, ancient sailors who sailed by the mosque on the Marmara Sea saw the blue colors of the sea reflected in the mosque.
Reviewed By TravelApopediatravel - Istanbul, Turkey
Blue mosque was built in the 1616 such a easy date to remember! It was built by architect Sefefkar Mehmet Agha who was the student of master architect Sinan who built around 400 buildings including Süleymaniye Mosque. So literally Architect Sinan is like Michelangelo of the Ottomans built Süleymaniye a true master piece and His student so student of Michelangelo has built Blue mosque and wanted to rival Hagia Sophia in terms of architecture. Hagia Sophia also inspired all the world but it was not constructed by Ottomans but by Romans so Ottomans always wanted to built amazing works, imperial mosques to surpass the Hagia Sophia so master Architect Sinan built Süleymaniye Mosque which is the biggest in İstanbul but it was not enough so after Architect Sinan died his student became the master Architect and built Blue mosque as the most beautiful work just infront of Hagia Sophia to rival it and decorated it with the best,highest quality blue tiles so that it was called as Blue mosque and has a great Architecture, perfect symmetry and harmony!!! Definitely Must see place!! But at the moment there is restoration you can just see a part of it!!!
4. Topkapi Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27,196 reviews
This enormous palace was the Imperial residence of Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years. Although much of the palace is not accessible, the daily tours of the Harem are of great interest to tourists.
Reviewed By fatemat2014 - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
You must visit this to see how the Ottomans use to live... it has a lot of historical artifacts from the time of Prophet Moses and Propher Mohammed PBUH... definitely take the audio guide and make sure you ask how to use it properly
5. Hagia Sophia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43,620 reviews
This architectural marvel displays 30 million gold tiles throughout its interior, and a wide, flat dome which was a bold engineering feat at the time it was constructed in the 6th century.
Reviewed By AnLily
The Hagia Sophia Church-turned Mosque deserves a second look. Often, you need to look up & behind (at the exit and corner of upstairs former chapel) to spot the beauty that Islamic conquerors forgot or ignored in stripping its decor. Sadly, they plastered over the pure gold & silver Byzantine mosaics, which are only palely visible now. (The glowing ceiling and radiant upper walls of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem shows what the Hagia Sophia once would have looked like by brilliant candlelight inside.) The Byzantine influence of the Hagia Sophia is great; its architecture was copied by Ottomans and can be seen at the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet) in Istanbul and in Cairo (“Blue Mosque” as well) at the Fortress governed by Mohamed Ali. Aside from the similarities, including windows and dome at the succeeding blue mosques, differences to the mosque-cathedrals revised by North African Caliphates in Cordoba also astound visitors. Whereas the archways and simplicity of Spanish architecture on the conquered Iberian peninsula resemble ancient Egyptian Coptic churches, the Hagia Sophia has an intricacy that dimly appears after centuries of contest. You miss the most impressive views by not taking the ancient Roman uneven ramp to the upper gallery (with jewellery stand!); it closes early and is only accessible until approximately 6 p.m. Beyond the Empress Lodge upstairs is the 6th century marble door, behind which is a handrail with 9th c. Viking graffiti. On the arches above are mosaic stars of David flanking emblems of crosses. If you proceed to the far wall and look back there’s an impressive Byzantine image of Jesus retained in gold. However, the marble was largely damaged by Ottomans and the statuary looted by Crusaders and Venetians. A portion of the mosaics (6-13 c) are being uncovered from behind imposing scaffolding. This Hagia Sophia beside Sultanahmet in Iznik (Nicaea) was built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius and burned in the fire of Nika Revolt (532 AD) before being rebuilt. It was the site of the 7th ecumenical Church council in 787 CE (the first was also held there in 325 CE). It became strictly used as a mosque from 1331 under order of Orhan Gazi and modified with medallions or script of Koran inspiration by the architect Mimar Sinan. The remains of a 1,600-year old Byzantine basilica, St. Neophytos, is nearby--preserved as a museum under Iznik Lake as an inspiration of the original Hagia Sophia cathedral. In 1453 Mahmud II made severe changes to Hagia Sophia, the ancient base of the Orthodox Church, when he forced out the local Ecumenical faithful and hung the Greek patriarch George V—as well as executing the leading Orthodox bishops. Subsequent Muslim renovations continued 1847-49 during Abdulmecit’s reign. The Hagia Sophia was reconstituted as Museum under secularized state control after Ataturk ascended to power in postwar Turkey. General admission to the museum costs 60 TL/person. The ticket office accepts visa, as does the gift- and coffee shop. You can purchase a 5-day pass for 185 TL to save 169 TL on other attractions as well. Headsets are limited and available only for large groups. The last daily entry time is 6 p.m, and snack counters sell expensive refreshments outside the public washrooms (wood huts) on the museum grounds. If you have time and cash-only, the Basilica cistern is kitty corner to the Hagia Sophia entrance across the street /tram tracks. Combining these venues and/or the Blue Mosque nearby can be simply enjoyed with or without a guide. Tourist pamphlets in multiple languages are oddly placed beside the exit gates, not at the front of the former church and basilica.
6. Basilica Cistern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31,242 reviews
The Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns beneath the city that provided a water filtration system for the buildings nearby. This underground chamber measures approximately 138 meters (453 ft) by 64.6 meters (212 ft) and is capable of holding 80,000 cubic meters (2,800,000 cu ft) of water. The ceiling is supported by 336 marble columns.
Reviewed By IvanaM2363
Truly interesting place and if you're there during a hot summer, this is a great place to visit, because it's cool and you get break from the heat :) I loved the dark atmosphere. It was magical. The head of Medusa was also lovely. There are still fish swimming around and that makes it even more interesting. If you have great guides like I had my Turkish friends, who told me so much about the history, etc., you will love every little place in Turkey :) When in Basilica Cistern, please be careful, it is slippery, but on the other hand, you're sightseeing so you most probably will not be running around :)
7. Istanbul Archaeological Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,359 reviews
Besides its importance as the first Turkish museum, it remains one of the world's largest museums with over one million works. Opened to the public in 1891, it houses a collection of Greek, Roman and Byzantine artifacts.
Reviewed By apricot44 - Turkey, null
Istanbul Archaeological Museum, with more than a million artifacts belonging to various civilizations and periods, is among the largest museums in the world. It is the oldest museum building in Turkey built as a museum. it was founded by painter , museologist and archaeologist Osman Hamdi Bey at the end of the 19 century. the museum contains artifacts from about 30 different countries that were once part of the Ottoman Empire.the museum consists of 3 sections.Archaeological Museum, Tiled Kiosk Museum (Çinili Köşk Müzesi) and Museum of ancient oriental artifacts. for me, the most important work of the museum is the Alexander sarcophagus.There are marble sarcophagi made with incredible craftsmanship in the museum.Sidemara Sarcophagus belonging to a Roman family exhibited in the Classic Building of the Istanbul Archeology Museum was discovered by Osman Hamdi Bey in the excavations near Ambar Village of Konya in the late 19th century.Alexander's sarcophagus, which is considered a masterpiece all over the world, was again found by osman bey during excavations in Sayda, Lebanon at the end of the 19th century.the sarcophagus actually belongs to Abdalonymos, King of Sidon.it was named Alexander because the depictions on it describe Alexander the great's war with the Persians. in the museum, the 5000-year-old statue of Lugal dalu, the priest in esar temple made for Inanna, the goddess of fertility of Sumerians, greets you incredibly.the tablet where you can see the text of the Kadesh peace treaty, the oldest known international treaty in the world, is located in the museum.these are just a few artifacts in the museum .you must visit the museum.
8. Sultanahmet District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,447 reviews
The old section of Istanbul where you can find many attractions including Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque.
Reviewed By ColinMc1951 - Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom
This area is the location of the most historic places and buildings in Istanbul. And all within walking distance of each other - the Blue Mosque, Aya Sophia, Topkapi Palace and a number of Sultans tombs (found at the side of Aya Sophia and entrance is free). The area has nice gardens to sit and rest and look around at the beauty of the buildings. It is truly an amazing area to explore. I have visited many times and consider Istanbul to be a safe place for tourists.
9. Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 151 reviews
This l6th-century mosque, built on the slope of a hill near Sultanahmet, is one of the most beautiful examples of classical Turkish architecture in the city. Of special interest are the prayer niches and pulpit, which are covered in lovely Iznik tiles.
Reviewed By jayyen93 - Dublin, Ireland
Amazingly, despite being so close to perhaps Istanbul's most popular mosque - the Blue Mosque, this mosque is on the other hand oft-ignored. However, I would argue that Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque is more significant architecturally and historically! The Blue Mosque was designed by the pupil of the master architect Mimar Sinan, who was the designer of this mosque. Although lacking the grandeur of the Blue Mosque, SMP Mosque is nonetheless a masterpiece that reveals Mimar Sinan's perfected skills and trumps even his own famous works like Suleimaniye Mosque! For instance, take a look at the courtyard. Ottoman mosques were designed as a complex to include buildings of various functions like school and hospital, and SMP was no exception. However, while almost every other mosques have these buildings separated and disjointed, all the buildings in SMP were seamlessly integrated by Sinan. The result is a fully functional and harmonious complex! Literally on top of this architectural harmony is the multi-cupola that is an iconic Ottoman mosque element, although on this mosque, the multiple cupolas were designed to complement one another in a harmonious splendor almost as a single multifaceted cupola without the excessive extravagance or redundancy in the works from Sinan's pupils. Long story short, SMP is truly a masterpiece that is worth the (very short) detour from the main tourist path and may be even more worthy to see than the more famous mosques in Istanbul! I highly recommend seeing this beautiful mosque, especially before this becomes an open secret like Rustem Pasa Mosque.
10. Kucuk Ayasofya Camii (Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,152 reviews
While Istanbul is known for its large mosques like Hagia Sophia, the smaller ones tend to be well worth a visit as well since they are just as beautiful in their own right. Küçük Ayasofya Camii, also known as Little Hagia Sophia (LHS), is one such mosque. The building was originally built as an Eastern Orthodox church and was converted to a mosque during the Ottoman Empire it remains a mosque today. LHS was built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian early in his reign. Some believe it was built to be a model for Hagia Sophia, hence the name Little Hagia Sophia. The building is located in a quiet neighbourhood in the district of Fatih. It actually isn’t too far of a walk from Sultanahmet. In fact, it is only about a 15-20 minute walk from the Blue Mosque/Hagia Sophia area so people really have no excuse not to go see it.
Reviewed By apricot44 - Turkey, null
Little Hagia Sophia Mosque- martyr Sergius and Bacchus Church According to legend, two Roman soldiers, Sergius and Bacchus, were captured by the enemy around the Resafa (Rusafa) fortress on the banks of the Euphrates River in Syria; The first bacchus is killed, Sergius taken prisoner, and the Bacchus spirit tells him not to give up his beliefs (Christian). In the end, Sergius is beheaded, and the legend has been told by all Roman and Byzantine soldiers for centuries. 2 soldiers were declared heroes. It is known that 2 Roman soldiers were 2 officers in the period of Maximianus. 2 to be a tribute to the Roman military hero tare Church (Event, Romans and Sassanids Near Dara in modern Turkey's southeast in a battle in AD 530 / Mardin / Tare is the ancient city) victories. Justinian lived between 518-527 in the Hormisdas Palace, where the church is located. During the Eastern Roman Empire, the church was part of a palace complex and large reception halls used by the imperial palace. Some of the mosaics in the church are known to be victims of Iconoclasm. It is known that Justinianus' wife Theodora hosted and owned some monophysite priests here. While preparing to kill Anastasius I with his uncle Justin I, he was caught and sentenced to death. However, the emperor Anastasius saw two heroic soldiers in his dream and gave up execution. Some sources say that because of this incident, Justinian I built the church in the name of two saint soldiers. Thousands died when the great black plague started in 543. Thanks to the money the emperor donated to the church, the priests of the church saved many lives.
