Sultanahmet Square

About Sultanahmet Square

Sultanahmet Square sits on the ground of the old Hippodrome of Constantinople, the chariot-racing arena that was the social and political center of Byzantine Istanbul for centuries. The track itself is long gone, but its shape still runs through the modern square, and three ancient monuments remain in a rough line where the central spine once stood: the Egyptian Obelisk, brought from Luxor and older than the city around it; the twisted bronze Serpentine Column, originally set up at Delphi in ancient Greece; and the weathered Walled Obelisk of Constantine. Together they make the square one of the few places in Istanbul where you can stand among genuine antiquities out in the open, no ticket required.

Today the square works as a wide pedestrian park, and its real value is location. Hagia Sophia stands at one end and the Blue Mosque at the other, both a short walk across the paving. Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar are all within easy reach on foot, which is why nearly every Old City walking tour uses this open space as its meeting point or a natural stop between the big sights. There are benches, fountains, tram access at the Sultanahmet stop, and plenty of spots to sit and get your bearings before or after visiting the surrounding landmarks.

The square itself is free and open at all hours, and there's no entry gate, so you can wander through whenever it suits your schedule. Early morning is quietest, before the tour groups and the crowds heading into the mosques and museums arrive. Keep in mind that the Blue Mosque is an active mosque and Hagia Sophia is a working mosque as well, so if you plan to combine a walk around the square with going inside either, modest dress is needed and access can be limited around prayer times. It's a good idea to check current visiting arrangements for those buildings before you go.