What to see in Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet is the historic heart of Istanbul: it was the centre of Constantinople, the Byzantine capital, and later of the Ottoman court. The city's most famous monuments sit within a few hundred metres of each other.
Hagia Sophia
The emperor Justinian built it between 532 and 537, the same emperor who built the Basilica Cistern. It was a cathedral for almost a thousand years, a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of 1453, a museum from 1934 and a mosque again since 2020. Foreign visitors have their own entrance to the upper galleries, where the Byzantine mosaics are.
Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque was built in the early 17th century and owes its nickname to the İznik tiles that line its interior. It's known for its six minarets. Entry is free outside prayer times. Cover your shoulders and knees, and women also cover their hair.
Topkapi Palace
For about 400 years, from 1465 to 1856, it was the home and seat of government of the Ottoman sultans. Its courtyards lead to the Harem, with more than 400 rooms, and the Treasury, home to the 86-carat Spoonmaker's Diamond and the Topkapi Dagger.
The Hippodrome
The long square in front of the Blue Mosque was the Hippodrome of Constantinople, where chariot races were held. Its monuments are still standing: the Obelisk of Theodosius, brought from Egypt and raised here in 390, and the Serpent Column, which came from Delphi in Greece.
The Grand Bazaar
A short walk from the square is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with thousands of shops selling carpets, spices, ceramics and jewellery. It's the perfect end to a day in Sultanahmet.
Combined tickets
One booking for the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia, with an audio guide and the option to add Topkapi Palace. You go at your own pace and skip the queues.
Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Audio Guide + Optional Topkapi
Sultanahmet's two must-sees in one booking, with an audio guide, and Topkapi if you want to add it.
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Guided tours of Sultanahmet
If you'd like a guide to take you from one monument to the next and tell you their story, these tours combine the cistern with Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi.
Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & Basilica Cistern Tour
Sultanahmet's big three with a guide and skip-the-line access.
Check price & dates on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)Flexible Combo: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi, Basilica, Blue Mosque
Four guided visits you can spread over up to three days, at your own pace.
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A day in Sultanahmet
Everything is within walking distance: the cistern is right opposite Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque rises across the square and Topkapi Palace begins behind Hagia Sophia. Start with the cistern or Hagia Sophia first thing, carry on to the Blue Mosque and save Topkapi for the afternoon.
Common questions
Can I see the cistern and Hagia Sophia on the same day?
Yes, and most people do: they're 150 metres apart. A combined ticket gets you into both without the queues.
Combined ticket or guided tour?
With a combined ticket you go at your own pace with an audio guide. A guided tour is ideal if you want someone to tell you the story of each monument.