Old City Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Topkapi Palace which includes a bay or harbour, a city and a river or creek
Suleymaniye Mosque showing interior views and a mosque
Grand Bazaar which includes markets, shopping and interior views
Topkapi Palace featuring a castle and heritage architecture
Suleymaniye Mosque featuring a mosque

Popular places to visit

Blue Mosque featuring religious elements, heritage architecture and a mosque

Blue Mosque

4.5/5(77 reviews)

Named for its dazzling interior covered in blue tiles, this is a hub of Istanbul's religious life.

Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia

4.5/5(80 reviews)

A world famous monument to the ever-changing history of Istanbul, and one of the largest churches in the world.

Hagia Sophia
Grand Bazaar

Grand Bazaar

4.5/5(88 reviews)

Visit one of the biggest and oldest covered markets in the world, a real taste (and smell and sound!) of the diversity that Turkey has to offer.

Grand Bazaar
Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace

4.5/5(65 reviews)

Stately home to the Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years with an array of Turkish design and foreign art.

Topkapi Palace
Sultanahmet Square

Sultanahmet Square

4.5/5(54 reviews)

You can find out about the history of Istanbul with a stop at Sultanahmet Square. Add the area's notable monuments or stunning cathedral to your travel plans.

Sultanahmet Square
Basilica Cistern featuring religious aspects, interior views and a church or cathedral

Basilica Cistern

4.5/5(45 reviews)

'The Sunken Palace' is the biggest of the hundreds of underground reservoirs underneath the streets of Istanbul, dating from Byzantine Constantinople.

Basilica Cistern

Activities

Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht Istanbul Bosphorus

Bosphorus Sunset or Daytime Yacht Cruise with Snacks & Live Guide

AU$71
per adult
76% of travellers recommend
Bosphorus Sunset or Daytime Yacht Cruise with Snacks & Live Guide
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show from Istanbul

Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show from Istanbul

AU$64
per adult
78% of travellers recommend
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show from Istanbul
Istanbul: Private Turkish Bath,Massage , Sauna & Swimming Pool

Istanbul: Private Turkish Bath,Massage , Sauna & Swimming Pool

AU$80
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Istanbul: Private Turkish Bath,Massage , Sauna & Swimming Pool
Istanbul: Full-Day Highlights Tour with Guide and Lunch

Istanbul: Full-Day Highlights Tour with Guide and Lunch

AU$82
per adult
78% of travellers recommend
Istanbul: Full-Day Highlights Tour with Guide and Lunch
Istanbul: Unlimited Turkey Internet with eSIM Mobile Data Plan

Istanbul: Unlimited Turkey Internet with eSIM Mobile Data Plan

AU$4
per traveller
Istanbul: Unlimited Turkey Internet with eSIM Mobile Data Plan
Blue Mosque

Istanbul Highlights: Small-Group Tour with a Local Expert

AU$129
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Istanbul Highlights: Small-Group Tour with a Local Expert
See all activities in Istanbul

Our pick of the best Old City Hotel Deals

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class

Piyer Loti Cad No:7, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$215 per night from 5 Nov to 6 Nov
AU$215
5 Nov - 6 Nov
includes taxes & 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! (2,111 reviews)
"Kind and very helpful people at reception. Hotel is clean but furniture bit old. Breakfast was very good , fresh bread daily. Location is very good, 5 mins walk from all attractions."

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Seven Hills Palace & Spa

Seven Hills Palace & Spa

Sultanahmet Mahallesi Kadi Cikmazi Sok., No 11 1 Fatih, Istanbul
The price is AU$269 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
AU$269
1 Nov - 2 Nov
includes taxes & 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! (963 reviews)
"Great location. Unique rooms. Spacious rooms."

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2025

Seven Hills Palace & Spa
Seven Hills Hotel - Special Class

Seven Hills Hotel - Special Class

Cankurtaran Mh., Tevkifhane Sokak 8, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$162 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$162
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & 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! (1,006 reviews)
"Excellent hotel and location"

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

Seven Hills Hotel - Special Class
Senatus Hotel - Special Class

Senatus Hotel - Special Class

Akbiyik Caddesi No: 40, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Istanbul
The price is AU$111 per night from 15 Oct to 16 Oct
AU$111
15 Oct - 16 Oct
includes taxes & 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! (1,004 reviews)
"This place was awesome."

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

Senatus Hotel - Special Class
Recital Hotel

Recital Hotel

3 out of 5
Binbirdirek Mah., Piyerloti Caddesi 21, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
The price is AU$206 per night from 28 Oct to 29 Oct
AU$206
28 Oct - 29 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Istanbul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"we were v.happy w d hotel experience"

Reviewed on 8 Oct 2025

Recital Hotel
AJWA Sultanahmet

AJWA Sultanahmet

5 out of 5
Emin Sinan Mah Piyerloti Cad No: 30, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
The price is AU$509 per night from 13 Oct to 14 Oct
AU$509
13 Oct - 14 Oct
includes taxes & 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! (861 reviews)
"From the moment we arrived the staff was amazing. They go above and beyond for you. The level of service here is incredible. The hotel lobby is gorgeous with its massive mable pillars inside and has great places to relax and admire the architectural details. The rooms are big and well decorated inside. ..."

Reviewed on 5 Oct 2025

AJWA Sultanahmet
See all 1,071 properties in Old City
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 neighbourhoods around Old City

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Sirkeci

Travellers choose Sirkeci for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Sirkeci Station or Eminonu Station and check out top sights like Topkapi Palace.

Sirkeci
Blue Mosque which includes a pond, a mosque and a fountain

Sultanahmet

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Blue Mosque to Hagia Sophia – discover Sultanahmet, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Sultanahmet
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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 featuring night scenes, a bay or harbour and a ferry

Karaköy

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

Karaköy
Galata Tower featuring a city, cruising and general coastal views

Galata

Travellers choose Galata for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Sishane-Zemin Metro Station or Karakoy Tünel Station and check out top sights like Galata Tower.

Galata
Galata Tower featuring night scenes, a bay or harbour and a ferry

Beyoğlu

Enjoy the popular shops in Beyoğlu. Taksim Square is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Sishane-Zemin Metro Station or Tophane Station to see more of Istanbul.

Beyoğlu

Old City Travel Guide

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