Undoubtedly, the most striking feature of Istanbul’s −before known as
Constantinople− history is that it was the only city in the world that served as
the capital of three different universal empires; The Roman Empire (330−395),
Byzantine Empire (395−1453) and the Ottoman Empire (1453−1923).

The Capital City & Sultanahmet Area

Sultanahmet is the historical and touristic heart of Istanbul and is now listed as
a UNESCO world heritage site. The must-see historical sites of the city are on and
around Sultanahmet Square.

T−1 is passing through Sultanahmet.

Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is a former church declared one of the world’s greatest architectural

works and accepted as the 8th wonder of the world. Hagia Sophia was the biggest
cathedral in the world for almost 1000 years.

T−1 Sultanahmet Blue Mosque

Basilica Cistern Museum
One of Istanbul’s splendid historical buildings is the Basilica Cistern which was built
in the 5th century. Also known as the house of the Medusa. This large underground
ancient cistern has 336 columns rising from the water.

T−1 Sultanahmet Blue Mosque Station

Topkapı Palace Museum
Topkapı is a palace concept that served as the administrative center and residence
of the imperial Ottoman court for 400 years, until 1856.
The Harem section where the Sultans lived with their families in private, was the
dwelling of the members of the Ottoman Dynasty and the upper-class women
of the Harem for centuries. It also functioned as a school with its own rules and
hierarchy.

T−1 Gülhane Station

Blue (Sultanahmet) Mosque
The imperial mosque with six minarets from the 16th century is known as the
Blue Mosque because of blue tiles surrounding the interior walls. It’s a complex
comprised of a tomb of the founder Sultan Ahmet I, a madrasa, Arasta Bazaar and
a soup kitchen.

T−1 Sultanahmet Blue Mosque

Hippodrome
Hippodrome was a horse racing track , the center of sporty events and political
activities of the Byzantine Empire. The Egyptian Obelisk, the German Fountain and
the Bronze Serpentine Column are the monuments embellishing the Hippodrome.

T−1 Sultanahmet Blue Mosque

Istanbul Archeological Museum
Istanbul Archeological Museum is the first regular museum appearing in the history
of the Ottoman Empire and in Turkey, has about a million artifacts and there is a
wealth of treasures on show from the Assyrian, Hittite, Egyptian, Greek, Roman,
Byzantine and Ottoman civilizations.

T−1 Gülhane Station

Grand Bazaar
The oldest and largest covered marketplace in the world with more than 4.000
shops. The Grand Bazaar is not a simple shopping area but in fact, with its grand
arcade main streets and narrow alleys leading between hans (old trader inns)
and bedestens (market halls), it is one of the best places to visit in Istanbul to get
a sense of Ottoman life.

T−1 Çemberlitaş or Kapalıçarşı Station 

Spice Bazaar
Spice Bazaar, also called Egyptian Bazaar is stocked with spices and herbs in the
market’s stalls; also old medicinal remedies were prepared here during the Ottoman
times.

T−1 & T−5 Eminönü Station

Fener
Being a very interesting neighborhood, Fener offers a fantastic experience to its
visitors with its authentic atmosphere; including The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate,
many interesting churches, Greek architecture, the Greek high school and colorful
narrow streets. Fener is also known as the Vatican of Greek Orthodoxy. The Greek
Orthodox Patriarchate Istanbul has been the spiritual center of the Greek Orthodox
world since around 1600.

T−5 Fener station