Sultanahmet is one of the most popular tourist spots in Istanbul. A tourist center that combines history, architecture, culture, and art, Istanbul's old city and historical zone, a communications hub, and a significant sightseeing, entertainment, and shopping area for tourists to visit in Istanbul to enjoy Istanbul's old city walking tour. Here's a fast guide to Sultanahmet in Istanbul, full with top things to do and see as well as tips from an Istanbul native.
One of the best things to do in Sultanahmet is to stroll around the Sultanahmet Square, taking in the tranquil atmosphere while admiring Istanbul's most popular landmarks, museums, mosques, churches, fountains, and historical sites, and then resting at one of the many restaurants and cafes in Istanbul.
Sultanahmet is Istanbul's historical center and heart. It was named after Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I, the former heart of the Ottoman Empire. Sultanahmet in Istanbul is the first hill. Istanbul is classified as a city of seven hills. In Sultanahmet, convenient to get around on foot or by tram because the area is moretraffic-free than the rest ofthe city. Istanbul Sultanahmet is a natural attraction for millions of visitors in Istanbul, with its variety of souvenirs and carpets, restaurants and cafes, hotels and guest houses, and famous sights from the three empires, such as the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and the Basilica Cistern.
Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet
Hagia Sophia is a former church and museum that was proclaimed one of the world's greatest architectures in Istanbul and accepted as the world's eighth wonder in 325. Hagia Sophia is also one of the most important of Istanbul tourist landmarks and museums.
After Turkey's administrative court annulled a 1934 decision that paved the way for Hagia Sophia Mosque's use as a museum, a decree on the 10th of July 2020 to officially recognize the Hagia Sophia as a mosque was issued.
Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) is one of Istanbul's most magnificent mosques and landmarks. Sultan Ahmet I commissioned Sedefkar Mehmet Aga, the second most important architect after Mimar Sinan, to build the Blue Mosque in the 17th century (1603-1617).
It gets its name from the stunning blue "Iznik tiles" that adorn the interior. It was the world's only mosque with six minarets, but a new mosque called "Camlica Mosque" is being built in the Camlica Hill of Istanbul's Asian side in 2019.
Tulip Festival in Gulhane Park
The Ottoman Empire and Turkish society owe a great deal to tulips. This annual festival takes place in the city's most popular parks, including Gulhane Park in Sirkeci, Sultanahmet Square in Sultanahmet, Yildiz Park in Besiktas, Emirgan Park in Emirgan, Fethi Pasa Grove and Camlica Hill in Uskudar, Cubuklu Hidiv Grove in Cubuklu, and Beykoz Park in Beykoz on the European side. This is a free festival in Istanbul where tourists can enjoy billions of tulips in 120 different varieties that bloom in April. They can even participate in the photograph contest as well as a range of cultural and artistic activities in Emirgan Park and Sultanahmet Square during your trip in Istanbul.
Sultanahmet Square
The Sultanahmet Square, also known as the Hippodrome and surrounded by the famous Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum, and Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, is one of Istanbul's most well-known tourist attractions and a popular meeting spot. The Sultanahmet neighborhood's tourist zone is situated on the Historical Peninsula, which links all of Sultanahmet's historical sites. It is a well-known destination for all Istanbul travelers, and it is usually their first stop on their first day in the city.
The Sultanahmet Square area is historic Istanbul, and it leads to all of Istanbul's historical sights, including must-see mosques like the Blue Mosque, museums like the famous Topkapi Palace Museum and Hagia Sophia Museum, historical sites, and palaces. It's convenient to walk around the region because it's compact and relatively traffic-free.
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