Sultanahmet district

Here you are at the heart of Sultanahmet, Istanbul’s most touristic district. This is where you’ll find most of the city’s tourist attractions. This district is dripping with history! Believe it or not, almost 3,000 years ago, the Greeks founded Byzantium right here, on this very spot! A handful of millennia ago, this was also the site of the city’s largest complex, the Great Palace of Byzantium. We know that it consisted of several buildings constructed over time by successive emperors, and that it stretched all the way down to the sea. Sadly, not much remains of these impressive structures today. The city’s Archaeological Museum has some remnants on display. Fast forward to today, and the Sultanahmet district is a tourist magnet! It’s home to the Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. This is also where you’ll find the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, the Archaeological Museum and the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople. No wonder there are tons of hotels and shops catering to visitors! You won’t find many locals living here.