Küçük Ayasofya and Kadırga
Küçük Ayasofya and Kadırga guide: a lost Byzantine harbour, Sinan's Sokullu Mosque and quiet lanes sloping to the sea, all a short walk from Sultanahmet.
Sorted by distance from the hotel
Istanbul neighbourhood by neighbourhood
Every quarter has its own rhythm, food and walks. A guide that starts in our own Küçük Ayasofya and reaches the Bosphorus villages and the Princes’ Islands.
Kumkapı
Kumkapı guide: a historic fishermen's quarter on a Byzantine harbour site, the Armenian Patriarchate, a working fishing harbour, seasonal fish and family tips.
Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet neighbourhood guide: the best order for Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı and the Hippodrome, a half-day walk, local food and family tips.
Cankurtaran and Ahırkapı
Cankurtaran and Ahırkapı guide: guesthouse lanes below Topkapı's walls, the Ahırkapı lighthouse, Byzantine sea walls, rooftop breakfasts and a seaside walk.
Beyazıt and the Grand Bazaar Area
Beyazıt and Grand Bazaar area guide: the bazaar, the book market, Beyazıt and Nuruosmaniye mosques, historic hans, bargaining tips and the walk from our hotel.
Eminönü
Eminönü guide: the Spice Bazaar, New Mosque, Rüstem Pasha Mosque, Sirkeci Station and Galata Bridge, plus ferries, street food and family tips for the crowds.
Süleymaniye
Süleymaniye guide: the Süleymaniye and Şehzade mosques, Sinan's tomb, timber-house lanes, Golden Horn views, a classic bean dish and how to get there.
Fatih and Zeyrek
Fatih and Zeyrek guide: the Fatih Mosque, the Byzantine Pantokrator Monastery, the Aqueduct of Valens, the Wednesday market and Women's Bazaar food.
Galata and Karaköy
Galata Tower, the Mevlevi dervish lodge, the Camondo Stairs, Istanbul Modern and the Karaköy waterfront: a walking guide to Istanbul's old Genoese port.
Beyoğlu and Taksim
İstiklal Avenue, the red heritage tram, Pera Museum, Çiçek Pasajı and Taksim Square: explore Beyoğlu's architecture, museums and viewpoints by day.
Yedikule and Samatya
Yedikule Fortress, the Byzantine Golden Gate, centuries-old market gardens and Samatya's multicultural square: a quiet Istanbul corner beyond the crowds.
Balat and Fener
Balat and Fener guide: colourful hillside houses, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Iron Church, Fethiye Mosque mosaics, a Golden Horn walk and how to get there.
Edirnekapı, the Chora and the Land Walls
Edirnekapı and Chora guide: famous Byzantine mosaics, Sinan's Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, the Tekfur Palace, the Theodosian Walls, Panorama 1453 and getting there.
Üsküdar
Maiden's Tower, Sinan's mosques, Çamlıca Hill, Kuzguncuk and Beylerbeyi Palace: a practical guide to Üsküdar, the historic heart of the Asian side.
Kadıköy and Moda
From ancient Chalcedon and Haydarpaşa Station to the historic Kadıköy market and the Moda seafront: a daytime guide to the Asian side's liveliest district.
Beşiktaş and Ortaköy
Dolmabahçe Palace, the Naval Museum, Yıldız Park and Ortaköy Mosque beneath the bridge: a guide to palaces and waterfront walks where the Bosphorus begins.
Eyüp
Eyüp Sultan Mosque and shrine, the cable car to Pierre Loti Hill, Golden Horn views and Miniatürk: a practical guide to Istanbul's holiest quarter.
Bosphorus Villages (Arnavutköy, Bebek, Rumelihisarı, Emirgan)
Timber mansions in Arnavutköy, Bebek Bay, Rumeli Fortress and the tulip gardens of Emirgan Park: a guide to walking the European shore of the Bosphorus.
Princes' Islands (Büyükada, Heybeliada)
Car-free Büyükada and Heybeliada: the ferry ride, St George's hilltop monastery, timber mansions, pine forests and summer beaches on the Princes' Islands.