Sultanahmet, Istanbul: Area Guide + Where to Eat

Sultanahmet is Istanbul’s old city, named after Sultan Ahmet I once he commissioned the Blue Mosque. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, the Basilica Cistern, and Sultanahmet Square all sit within walking distance of each other, which is why most visitors spend the bulk of their time here or across the Golden Horn in Beyoğlu. The same density makes it a tourist hotspot, and the restaurants reflect it: there are some fabulous places here, and there are also tourist traps. This guide covers the sights, the gift shops, the hotels, and how to plan the eating part so it does not go wrong.

Best things to do and see in Sultanahmet

1. Hagia Sophia

The Byzantine Emperor Justinian commissioned Hagia Sophia in 537. While the Great Palace of Constantine, built after Hagia Sophia, has not survived, this building still stands and carries a rich history. Originally it was a church. When the Ottoman Empire took the old city, they converted Hagia Sophia into a mosque, and its Turkish name has been Aya Sofya ever since. In the Republic era it operated as the Aya Sofya Museum.

As it is now a mosque again, visitors are no longer charged an entrance fee. Tourists may visit outside prayer hours. If you are curious about the Great Palace of Constantinople, the Great Palace Mosaics Museum is within walking distance.

2. Sultanahmet Square

Sultanahmet Square was once the Hippodrome of Constantinople, and it still holds several architectural relics. The German Fountain, for example, was built in a neo-Byzantine style to celebrate Emperor Wilhelm II’s visit to Istanbul in 1891.

The Theodosius Obelisk was brought over from Egypt by Theodosius the Great and is currently about 3,500 years old. The Serpent Column came from Delphi in 324 AD to mark the Byzantine victory over the Persians. There is also the Walled Obelisk, which was repaired in the 10th century but whose date of origin is unknown.

Some relics have been lost to time. The seven statues of Porphyrius are no longer there. If you want to sound like a tour guide, though, you can tell your friends that the hippodrome was the site of celebrations when Sultan Ahmet III’s sons were circumcised.

3. Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii)

Known in Turkish as the Sultanahmet Camii, or the Sultanahmet Mosque, the Blue Mosque was commissioned by, you guessed it, Sultan Ahmet I. A student of the famous architect Sinan built it. Both Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque were once imperial mosques.

Hagia Sophia inspired the Sultanahmet Mosque, so its design carries both Byzantine and Ottoman elements. Its six slender minarets and cascading domes dominate the Istanbul skyline. More on the city’s great mosques in our guide to the mosques in Istanbul.

4. Arasta Bazaar

If the crowds of the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are too much, there is good news. Tucked behind the Blue Mosque is a smaller version of the Grand Bazaar. Arasta Bazaar may be the cooler part of the Sultanahmet neighborhood. The reason? The salespeople are less pushy and there are fewer tourists. If you want a feel for the traditional bazaar experience without the noise, browse these quiet streets instead.

5. Topkapı Palace Museum

This is one of the most important of all the Turkish palaces because it was the first Ottoman palace in Istanbul. The Ottoman sultans used it as the primary royal residence from 1458 to 1873. Hurrem Sultan became the first woman to marry a sultan and move into this palace. There is a guided tour to cover the history, and fast track entry means you skip the line at one of the most popular Turkish museums.

If you purchase a Museum Pass Istanbul, it works out cheaper. The same pass covers Topkapı Palace, the Galata Mevlevi House, and the Istanbul Archaeology Museums.

6. Basilica Cistern

Justinian I may have been the most ambitious of all the Byzantine emperors. Both the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia were built during his reign. Even if history is not your thing, the cistern is worth a visit for the atmosphere alone. Look out for the Medusa column.

7. Gülhane Park

Gülhane is one of the few attractions with its own stop on the tram line. The best time to visit is during the Tulip Festival, when the park is brimming with colorful tulips and roses. Once upon a time, Gülhane Park supplied Topkapı Palace with roses.

Gülhane is one of the oldest green spaces in Istanbul, and it has a rich history. In 1839, the Edict of Gülhane was proclaimed here. The edict, among many progressive reforms, emancipated minorities. Nearby is the Hagia Irene Museum, once a Byzantine church and now occasionally used as a concert venue, along with the Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam. More green escapes in our guide to Istanbul’s parks.

8. Soğukçeşme Street

This is one of those significant streets that tourists and locals alike pass by without knowing its history. It runs between Hagia Sophia and the walls of Topkapı Palace, near Gülhane Park, and is named after a fountain built in the Byzantine period.

As you walk the cobbles, you will find at least 12 Ottoman houses built against the walls of Topkapı Palace, each named after a flower grown beside it. Nine are part of a boutique hotel. The sixth president of Turkey was born in one of these houses.

You will also find the Sarnıç Restaurant here, set in an ancient cistern and open for dinner only. Bibliophiles can step into the Çelik Gülersoy Vakfı İstanbul Kitaplığı, a building somewhere between a library, an archive, and a museum, with over 10,000 rare books.

Soğukçeşme Street is pedestrian only, so there is no access by public transport or private car. For the full old-city moment, sip some Turkish coffee at the cafe at the start of the street.

9. Istanbul Archaeology Museums

The Istanbul Archaeology Museums are three museums in one: the Archaeological Museum in the main building, the Museum of Islamic Art in the tiled pavilion, and the Museum of the Ancient Orient, which was a fine arts school in the 1800s. The complex is considered one of the world’s largest archaeological museums, with over a million artifacts in the collection. It was established in 1891, when Sultan Abdulaziz wanted an archaeological museum to rival the ones he had visited abroad. The collection includes items from every country the Ottoman Empire conquered or held diplomatic relations with.

Visitors may find it cheaper and more convenient to use the Museum Pass Istanbul. For the city’s full museum lineup, see our Istanbul museums guide.

10. Carpet Museum

Every couple of decades this quaint museum seems to relocate within the Sultanahmet neighborhood. It was most recently housed by Hagia Sophia, with a planned move to the Rüstem Pasha Mosque near the Golden Horn, so check the current address before walking over. The Golden Horn location puts it close to the Galata Bridge, the Galata Tower, and the SALT gallery.

If you plan on buying a kilim, the renowned Turkish carpet, at the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Bazaar, pop in here first. You will learn about the symbolism of the motifs and the intricacies of carpet making.

Some carpets here date back to the 13th century. The larger ones were once proudly displayed at the Blue Mosque, the Süleymaniye Mosque, and other prominent mosques. You will also learn that Uşak, a city in Anatolia, is distinguished for its carpets. It is a shame the museum gets so few visitors, considering it holds a significant part of Turkey’s culture and history.

Best souvenir shops in Sultanahmet

1. Tuncer Gift Shop

You will find those striking mosaic lamps here, along with smaller ceramic items like ashtrays, tiles, plates, and cups. The decanters are lovely too.

2. Jennifer’s Hamam

Located in the Arasta Bazaar and within walking distance of the Hürrem Sultan Turkish bath, this shop covers everything for the hamam. Suppliers are hand-chosen for quality, with certified organic cotton towels and organic soaps for every dermatological need. If the shop puts you in the mood for the real thing, our guide to the best hamams in Istanbul has you covered.

3. Motif Collection

Handmade Turkish carpets sold by a knowledgeable, helpful, and not-pushy salesman. Prices are lower than the Grand Bazaar, and you get a certificate of authenticity.

4. Tree of Life Ceramics and Gift Shop

This bright, colorful shop carries both big and small ceramics. The wine decanters can be half your size. You can drink some tea while browsing this museum-like shop.

Where to eat in Sultanahmet

Sultanahmet is a tourist hotspot, which means that while there are some fabulous places here, there are also tourist traps. The fix is simple: decide where you are eating before you are hungry.

A few ways to plan it:

• The ranked list. Our best restaurants in Sultanahmet is the honest guide to eating inside the district, including what to skip.
• Walk next door. Sirkeci, the neighborhood right next to Sultanahmet, has its own restaurant scene a short walk from the sights.
• One spot already in this guide. The Sarnıç Restaurant on Soğukçeşme Street is set in an ancient cistern and opens for dinner only.
• Eating on foot. Between sights, our Istanbul street food guide covers what to look for across the city.

If you would rather eat with someone who already knows where to go, our Taste of Two Continents tour runs daily at 09:30, 10:30, and 11:30 with a maximum of 10 guests. We have run food tours in Istanbul since 2013, with a 4.95/5 rating from more than 7,800 reviews.

For the citywide picture, dish by dish and neighborhood by neighborhood, start with our Istanbul food guide.

Best hotels to stay in Sultanahmet

1. Four Seasons Sultanahmet

The Four Seasons is one of the biggest hotel chains, so quality is a given. The neoclassic decor with marble bathrooms is lovely, and the amenities run deep, down to hypoallergenic pillows.

2. Romance Hotel

The Turkish delight at check-in and the baby bathrobe and slippers, available on request, are only part of the appeal. Every room is designed to make you feel like an Ottoman ruler.

3. White House Hotel

The Roman architectural facade and the Ottoman furnishings make you feel welcome from the door, and the roof garden is open whenever you wish.

4. Neorion Hotel

You get a complimentary Turkish breakfast in the morning. And unlike most hotels, the lobby feels like a living room: you can sip Turkish coffee while browsing the replicas of Anatolian craft.

Final words

Sultanahmet rewards a slow pace: the big four sights in the morning, the Arasta Bazaar and the smaller museums in the afternoon, and a dinner you chose on purpose rather than by accident. For the eating half of the plan, keep the Sultanahmet restaurant list and Sirkeci close, and if you want the wider context, our guide to Turkish cuisine explains what you will be tasting. Better yet, join us and eat your way across the city with a local.