Istanbul has been the capital city of two great empires, the Byzantine empire from 330 to 1453, and the Ottoman empire until the late 19th Century. There are plenty of monuments from these periods and beyond, here’s where to find them.
Here’s a tip: consider getting the Istanbul Museum Pass, a one-time-payment pass that allows you access to various museums and sites across the city, including the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace mentioned below. You can either buy it online, or at the ticketing booths of the various locations included in the pass. It costs TL 325, and lasts for 5 days starting from your first entry.
Hagia Sophia
First a Greek Orthodox Church, then a mosque, and today a museum. The Hagia Sophia's history is entwined with Istanbul’s, making it a must-visit for any visitor to the city. First commissioned in 360 A.D. by the son of Constantine I, who founded the Byzantine empire, the church was quickly renovated into a mosque after the crusade of the Ottoman empire. Today, the building cuts a striking figure overlooking the Old Town.
Address: Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Opening Hours:
Summer (April - October): 9am - 7pm
Winter (November - March): 9 am - 5 pm
Admission:
Adults: TL 100
Children below 8 years: Free
Tickets can be booked online or on location at the ticketing booth
Topkapi Palace
This grand palace was once the main residence of the Sultans of the Ottoman empire. Consisting of four courts, a treasury, and a 300-room harem, there’s plenty to see and do around this palace and its surrounding grounds. Although it shrunk into obscurity when the sultans abandoned it for waterfront palaces, this stunning structure has been restored to its former glory and now serves as a museum, welcoming thousands of visitors annually.
Address: Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Opening Hours:
9am - 6:30pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Admission:
Topkapi Palace
Adult: TL 100
Harem*
Adult: TL 70
Hagia Eirene (Saint Irene Church)*
Adult: TL 60
For all sections, children under 8 years enjoy free admission
*Not included under Istanbul Museum Pass
Tickets can be booked online or on location at the ticketing booth
Obelisk of Theodosius
An Egyptian Obelisk in Istanbul? It’s more likely than you think. Originally erected around 1400 BC, this granite structure was once one of the main gates of the great temple of Karnak in Luxor. The structure was transported to Alexandria via the Nile, and then to Istanbul (previously known as Constantinople) by Theodosius I, who placed it on the Hippodrome, the modern-day Sultanahmet square.
Address: Binbirdirek, Sultanahmet, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Sultan Ahmed Mosque
Named after the Ottoman ruler who commissioned it, this historic mosque was built in the 16th Century, making it one of the oldest active mosques in Turkey. More commonly known as the Blue Mosque, it got its nickname from its blue tiled exterior. Built to cement Ottomon power in Turkey, this building today houses the tomb of Sultan Ahmed, as well as a religious education centre and a hospice.
Address: Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 8:30am - 11:30am, 1pm - 2:30pm, 3:30pm - 4:45pm
Admission: Free
