Byzantine and Ottoman Monuments in Depth in

From the Hippodrome and Hagia Sophia to the Archaeological Museum, Zeyrek and the land walls, seeing the Old City through its two empires.

Aimed at visitors interested in historic architecture: on the first two days, see Hagia Sophia, Hagia Irene, Topkapı Palace and the Museum of Islamic Art in Sultanahmet; on the third day, visit the Archaeological Museum, then Zeyrek in Fatih, the Valens Aqueduct and the Süleymaniye Mosque; on the last day, see the mosaics of Chora Church and the land walls of Constantinople. The itinerary does not include a Bosphorus cruise or shopping. With so many museums, a museum pass is recommended.

Day by day

Day 1 · Ancient Hippodrome and Blue Mosque

Istanbul（Hippodrome of Constantinople、Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts、Blue Mosque）

About 1.5 hours to the Old City by airport shuttle bus or metro. In the afternoon, walk around the Hippodrome.

Stay: Sultanahmet

Day 2 · Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace

Istanbul（Hagia Sophia、Basilica Cistern、Topkapi Palace、Hagia Irene）

Walk within the Old City. In the morning, visit Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern; in the afternoon, visit Topkapı Palace and Hagia Irene in the First Courtyard.

Topkapı Palace and Hagia Irene are closed on Tuesdays. The Topkapı Palace ticket includes Hagia Irene.

Stay: Sultanahmet

Day 3 · Archaeological Museum and Fatih

Istanbul（Istanbul Archaeology Museums、Zeyrek Mosque (Pantokrator Monastery)、Aqueduct of Valens、Süleymaniye Mosque）

Walk to the Archaeological Museum in the morning. In the afternoon, take a bus for about 15 minutes to Zeyrek, then walk past the Valens Aqueduct to the Süleymaniye Mosque.

The climb to Zeyrek is steep, so watch the prayer times.

Stay: Sultanahmet

Day 4 · Chora Mosaics and the Land Walls

Istanbul（Chora Church (Kariye Mosque)、Walls of Constantinople）

Take a taxi or bus for about 25 minutes to Edirnekapı. After visiting Chora Church, walk along a section of the city walls, then head directly to the airport from nearby in the afternoon, about 40 minutes.

Chora Church is closed to visitors during Friday prayers. Walk the more remote sections of the walls with a companion.

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