Old City Travel Guide
Istanbul
Popular places to visit
Hagia Sophia
Once a church, then a Byzantine cathedral, later a mosque and now a monument, this iconic building is a national treasure.
Blue Mosque
The nickname of this 17th-century structure refers to the brilliant color of its tiled interior.
Sultanahmet Square
Find out about the history of Sultanahmet Square, one of the top monuments in Istanbul. Add the area's shops or stunning cathedral to your travel plans.
Grand Bazaar
Enter the maze of shop-lined streets in one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world to browse hundreds of thousands of hand-crafted objects.
Topkapi Palace
The official residence of the Ottoman sultans for about four centuries is now accessible to the public and home to sacred relics.
Eminönü Square
Learn about the local history of Istanbul with a stop at Eminönü Square. Discover the area's fascinating museums and shops.
Things to do
Istanbul: Princess Island Büyükada Tour with Island Vehicle
Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket and Audio Guide
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show from Istanbul
Istanbul: Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise Tour with Audio Guide
Istanbul: Hodjapasha Whirling Dervishes Show & Exhibition
Istanbul: Bursa Day Trip with Lunch & Cable Car Ride
Top hotels in Old City
Carina Gold Hotel and Restaurant
Great location, friendly staff. Cleaning of the room was great, high standard and lovely cleaning lady. Breakfast choices limited for us personally. Mindful of the level of noise from outside traffic depending on the room. A/C was temperamental and had to keep the door open at night hence all the ...
Reviewed on 7 May 2026
Sultanhan Hotel - Special Class
Great location, clean room, helpful staff
Reviewed on 5 May 2026
Hotel Arcadia Blue Istanbul
Great staff, very Good location.
Reviewed on 7 May 2026
The Lola Hotel
They tell you something and show you something. Please don't believe them. They have very bad staff.
Reviewed on 17 Apr 2026
Seven Hills Palace & Spa
Hotel itself was mostly fine, but fell below expectations in the photos on Expedia. Our room was in the 'annexe', separate from the rest of the hotel, and with a corridor that opened onto the city street. This on several occasions was left unlocked which, along with the wonky lock on the door of ...
Reviewed on 5 May 2026
Fer Hotel
We felt very welcom at Fer Hotel. The staff was amazing, and the service was very good. The rooms were spotless, and housekeeping was quick each day. The breakfast was amazing!
Reviewed on 4 May 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Old City
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.
Sultanahmet
Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Sultanahmet Square to Blue Mosque – discover Sultanahmet, a destination also famous for its shopping.
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.
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.
Istanbul City Center
Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Istanbul City Center. Check out top attractions like Taksim Square and Grand Bazaar, and jump on the metro at Aksaray Station or Aksaray Tram Station to see more of the city.
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.
Old City Travel Guide
Explore a world of travel with Expedia
- 3 Star Hotels in Istanbul
- 4 Star Hotels in Istanbul
- 5 Star Hotels in Istanbul
- Hotels near Basilica Cistern
- Hotels near Blue Mosque
- Hotels near Hagia Sophia
- Serviced Apartments in Istanbul
- Apartments in Istanbul
- B&B in Istanbul
- Caravan Parks in Istanbul
- Guest Houses in Istanbul
- Hostels in Istanbul
- Accor Hotels in Istanbul
- Adults Only Resorts & in Istanbul
- All-Inclusive Hotels in Istanbul
- Beach Resorts & in Istanbul
- Boutique Hotels in Istanbul
- Cheap Hotels in Istanbul
- Business Hotels in Istanbul
- Casino Hotels in Istanbul
- Family-Friendly Hotels in Istanbul
- Gay-Friendly Hotels in Istanbul
- Golf Hotels in Istanbul
- Hilton Hotels in Istanbul
- Historic Hotels in Istanbul
- Hotels Suites in Istanbul
- Hotels with a Bar in Istanbul
- Hotels with a View in Istanbul
- Hotels with Airport Transfers in Istanbul
- Hotels with Babysitting Services in Istanbul
- Hotels with Breakfast in Istanbul
- Hotels with Connecting Rooms in Istanbul
- Hotels with Early Check-in in Istanbul
- Hotels with Entertainment in Istanbul
- Hotels with Gym in Istanbul
- Hotels with Restaurant in Istanbul
- Hotels with Balcony in Istanbul
- Hotels with Hot Tubs in Istanbul
- Hotels with Indoor Pools in Istanbul
- Hotels with Pool in Istanbul
- Hotels with smoking rooms in Istanbul
- Jumeirah Hotels in Istanbul
- Luxury Hotels in Istanbul
- Moxy Hotels in Istanbul
- Melia Hotels in Istanbul
- Mountain Hotels in Istanbul
- Nh Hotels in Istanbul
- Relais & Chateaux Hotels in Istanbul
- Romantic Hotels in Istanbul
- Spa Hotels in Istanbul
- Travelodge UK Hotels in Istanbul
- Hotels with Waterpark in Istanbul
- Wedding Hotels in Istanbul
- Yha Hotels in Istanbul
- Istanbul Hotels
- Pensions in Istanbul
- Residences in Istanbul
- Villas in Istanbul
- Hotels near Mahmut Pasa Mosque
- Sultanahmet Hotels
- Basilica Cistern
- Hagia Sophia
- Visit Aksaray
- Visit Asmali Mescit
- Visit Balat
- Visit Beyazit
- Visit Beyoğlu
- Visit Cagaloglu
- Visit Cankurtaran
- Visit Cihangir
- Visit Emin Sinan
- Visit Fatih
- Visit Fındıkzade
- Visit Galata
- Visit Gümüşsuyu
- Visit Harbiye
- Visit Iskenderpasa
- Visit Istanbul City Center
- Visit Kabatas
- Visit Karaköy
- Visit Kumkapi
- Visit Laleli
- Visit Nişantaşı
- Visit Pera
- Visit Sirkeci
- Visit Sultanahmet
- Visit Taksim
- Visit Talimhane
- Visit Tophane
- Visit Topkapi
- Istanbul Holidays
- Visit Istanbul
- Visit Istanbul
- Sultanahmet Holidays
- All inclusive Holiday Packages Istanbul
