Sultanahmet

Most short-stay visitors spend all their time in Sultanahmet, home to Istanbul’s biggest sightseeing draws: the iconic Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya), the grandest legacy of the Byzantine Empire; the opulent Topkapı Palace, once the beating heart of the Ottoman Empire; and the massive Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii), known for its six minarets and dazzling blue Iznik tiles.

You’ll also find the ancient Hippodrome, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art (set inside the former Palace of İbrahim Paşa), the shadowy Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı), and the chaotic sprawl of the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı), the largest covered market in the world.

With its monumental architecture, leafy parks, laid-back cafés, and pedestrian-friendly streets, Sultanahmet is easy to explore — and a solid base for a short visit. If you’re wondering about the ideal number of days in Istanbul, two to three is enough to cover Sultanahmet’s highlights and still squeeze in a few detours. Just keep your wits about you when it comes to overly friendly carpet salesmen.