Sultanahmet

Sultanahmet is a historic neighborhood in central Istanbul containing major monuments from different periods. Its narrow streets connect large mosques, ancient structures, and traditional buildings into a densely packed area of cultural landmarks.

The neighborhood developed as a center of religious and imperial power following Constantinople's founding. Large building projects in the 17th century, particularly under Sultan Ahmet I, transformed the area into the heart of the Ottoman Empire.

The neighborhood blends Byzantine and Ottoman influences visible in its mosques, churches, and traditional houses that line the streets. Walking through, you experience how different religious and cultural traditions shaped the buildings and spaces around you.

The neighborhood is easily accessible by tram, and taxis are widely available to move between sites. Hotels, restaurants, and shops are densely distributed, making everything walkable, though you should allow time for narrow lanes and crowds.

Beneath the streets lies the Basilica Cistern with hundreds of massive marble columns supporting water storage chambers over 1400 years old. This underground network reveals how the ancient city managed its water supply and remains a quiet testimony to earlier engineering.