Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Sultanahmet Square is the central open space of Istanbul's historic peninsula, flanked by the Blue Mosque to the southeast and Hagia Sophia to the northeast. The square occupies the site of the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople, a chariot-racing venue that seated roughly 100,000 during the Byzantine era. Three surviving monuments from the original Hippodrome still stand in line: the Egyptian Obelisk of Thutmose III from 390 AD, the Serpentine Column from Delphi, and the rough-hewn Walled Obelisk. The square is a pedestrian zone and starting point for most Old City walking routes. is just one of many options in Istanbul. Major attractions worth considering include Camlica Mosque, Cemberlitas Hamami, and Hurrem Sultan Hamami.