Four old zones of Istanbul hold Byzantine and Ottoman churches, mosques, palaces and 5.7 km of city walls. Most visitors only see Sultanahmet, but the other zones are quieter.

Inscribed 1985IstanbulCultural

Video

Istanbul's Rich Past – Rick Steves' Europe Travel Bite (Rick Steves' Europe). Watch on YouTube.

Plan your visit

  • Getting there: Fly to Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). Both link to the city by public transport, airport bus, private transfer or taxi. Beware of taxi overcharging. The T1 tram runs through Sultanahmet. Do not drive in the old city.
  • How long: Allow 3 to 4 days for all four zones.
  • Best time: Spring or autumn, and early mornings. Hill walks are cooler and Sultanahmet is quieter.
  • Tickets and hours: No single ticket. Each site sets its own price and hours. Süleymaniye is reported free but closes at prayer times. Check the current price and hours on the official page.
  • Tip: Cover shoulders and knees, and take your shoes off in mosques. Women should cover their hair.
  • Tip: Check prayer times before you go. Working mosques limit visitors around the five daily prayers.
  • Nearby: Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace are in Sultanahmet. The Grand Bazaar is a 10-minute walk from Süleymaniye.

UNESCO listingOfficial visitor pageDirections in Google Maps

Header photo: Hagia Sophia, part of the Historic Areas of Istanbul — Photo: Arnoldius via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

More UNESCO sites in Turkey

Previous: Arslantepe. Next: Selimiye Mosque, Edirne. See the full list of all 22 UNESCO sites in Turkey.

Inscription details checked on 8 November 2026 with UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Prices, hours and transport change, so check the official page before you go.