Hagia Sophia and Istanbul’s Historic Basilicas
A guide to Hagia Sophia and Istanbul's other historic basilicas: ages, opening rules, dress code, nearest tram stops…
Stories
Category: Istanbul Attractions
Practical guides to Istanbul’s best-known sights: Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and the city’s other Byzantine cisterns, the hamams, Çamlıca Hill and the Bosphorus. Each guide explains how to get there, what to book ahead and what the visit actually involves, so you can plan the day around it.Opening rules and ticket conditions change, so check the official site of each attraction before you go. For the full list of places in the city, see the Istanbul destination guide.
Underground Cisterns You Can Visit in Istanbul Today
Underground cisterns in Istanbul you can actually visit today: Basilica Cistern and Şerefiye, with hours, tickets and getting…
Basilica Cistern Tickets
Basilica Cistern tickets explained: how to book online, what entry includes, how to avoid the queue, and getting…
Istanbul Hammams
A practical guide to Istanbul hammams: which historic baths to choose, what shapes the cost of a session,…
Whirling Dervish Ceremonies in Istanbul
Istanbul's whirling dervish ceremonies, known as Sema, are staged at a handful of dedicated venues rather than as…
Types of Boat Trips and Cruises in Istanbul
Istanbul offers five practical types of boat trip: short Bosphorus sightseeing cruises, dedicated Golden Horn tours, evening sunset…
Camlica Hill
Çamlıca Hill on Istanbul's Asian shore offers the widest panoramic views of the city and the Bosphorus.
Istanbul Cisterns
Şerefiye Sarnıcı and the Cistern of Theodosius are two names for the same fifth-century cistern in Istanbul —…
Free Things to Do in Istanbul
Museum entry in Istanbul has become expensive, particularly for foreign visitors, who pay separate and considerably higher rates…
Things to Do in Istanbul at Night
Things to do in Istanbul at night, once the monuments have closed — where to go in Sultanahmet…
Hagia Sophia Complete Guide
Hagia Sophia is a working mosque, officially Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Serifi, and has been since July 2020.
Istanbul Bucket List
The Istanbul bucket list comes down to a handful of unmissable things. See Hagia Sophia and the Blue…
