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Istanbul

Istanbul

The historic peninsula where Byzantine and Ottoman empires converged, centered around the Hagia Sophia.

6 walks52 stops to see
Known forSultanahmet historic peninsula landmarksHagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Ottoman mosquesGrand Bazaar and Spice BazaarBosphorus waterfront and ferry viewsGalata Tower and Beyoğlu viewpointsIstanbul hammams and historic bathhouses

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Featured walk

Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula Landmarks

Walk through Istanbul’s historic peninsula, moving from Galata and traditional markets to landmark mosques, public squares, and former royal spaces. Along the way, you will see how commerce, worship, ceremony, and government are represented by the stops in this carefully ordered route. The walk is worth taking for its concentrated view of Istanbul’s built heritage, from the Basilica Cistern and Ayasofya to Topkapı Sarayı.14 stops5.9 km1 h 11 minSee the walk

History and monuments

1 walk

3 stopsIstanbul · Turkey

Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar

Sacred places

2 walks

9 stopsIstanbul · Turkey

Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Ottoman Mosques

6.3 km1 h 16 min14 stopsIstanbul · Turkey

Istanbul Sacred Places Walk

Museums and galleries

1 walk

7 stopsIstanbul · Turkey

Sultanahmet Historic Peninsula Landmarks

Gardens and open air

1 walk

5 stopsIstanbul · Turkey

Bosphorus Waterfront and Ferry Views

How a walk works

The guide starts talking when you arrive.

The pages here tell you where the walks go. The app takes you round them.

  1. Pick a walk

    Every stop is a real place, already in walking order.

  2. Pocket your phone

    Follow the line on the live map, or download the walk before you lose signal.

  3. Listen as you arrive

    On a narrated walk the story starts on its own at each stop, so your eyes stay on the place.

Continue in the app

Free to install · Every city’s featured walk is free, start to finish.

  • The route, followed

    A live map with the turns called out, and a way back whenever you wander off it.

  • In four languages

    English, French, Spanish and Arabic — the words and the voice, not just the labels.

  • Or build your own

    Pick the places you actually want and the app works out the order to walk them in.

  • The unglamorous things

    Toilets, pharmacies, cash points and water, without leaving the walk.

  • No signal needed

    Download a walk before you go and it works under a souk roof or on a plane.

  • Picks up where you left off

    Stop for lunch, come back tomorrow, and the walk is exactly where you left it.