Surroundings

Situated at the heart of Byzantine and Ottoman history, right on the Old City doorstep…The Blue Mosque’s just two minutes’ walk. Go see it in the early morning to have it almost to yourself before the crowds get wind. Just beyond unfurls the grand plaza of the ancient Hippodrome, leading within five minutes’ walk to the entrance of Hagia Sophia. The vast Topkapi Palace compound and the captivating Basilica Cistern are easily within 7-10 minutes on foot. One could spend days walking around iconic sites that in other cities are reason enough to hail a taxicab.

The convenient Arasta Bazaar is found immediately behind the Blue Mosque, very near the hotel–a five-minute walk. It’s a much easier shopping experience than at the Grand Bazaar and there are fine selections of ceramics, textiles, and spices. The Grand Bazaar-the world's oldest shopping mall-is a not-too-far 15 min walk or quick two stop tram ride but its chaos, is energy; it is ‘’Istanbul’’ Experience. Accessible.

There are food eating and convenience found everywhere else around the hotel. There are restaurants on the streets adjacent to the hotel; views of mosques from terrace cafes or just plain cheap kebab houses. For an atmospheric evening, Mesale Cafe presents traditional live music and dervish performances within just a few minutes. The T1 tram stop at Sultanahmet is just a 7-minute walk; it gets you connected to other parts of the city. Bakkal stores are also there close by for water and somehow to drink.