If this will be one of your first trips to Istanbul, you’ll likely be wondering where to stay. We have an entire Istanbul neighborhood and hotel guide, but this list can be a bit overwhelming if you don’t know anything yet about the city. So here are our picks for the best hotels near the Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet for travelers who want to stay close to the city’s most famous sites.
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Our Recommendations for the Best Hotels in Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Here are our favorite Istanbul hotels in Sultanahmet.
Saba Sultan Hotel
Located twenty minutes away from the Istanbul New Airport, the Saba Sultan is a boutique hotel with seventeen luxury rooms designed and decorated uniquely with nearly all the rooms sporting balconies (hello, perfect Instanbul Instagram shot).
What we love about this hotel is how much thought is put into the design of the rooms, making them a perfect place to relax after a long day of sightseeing.
The rooms come with free Wi-Fi, LCD TVs, and large windows (with curtains) and are accessible via electro-magnetic keys. All rooms have electronic safety boxes, comfortable seating areas, and tea facilities.
The Saba Sultan is located close to the two most famous sites in Istanbul, the Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia.
>>Click to see guest reviews, photos, prices, and availability.<<
Sokullu Pasa Hotel
The Sokullu Pasa is located in the heart of Istanbul, walking distance from the Blue Mosque, with a luxury but antique feel in the decor of the rooms.
Some of the elegant rooms have spa baths, Jacuzzis, or balconies, and all rooms feature free Wi-Fi, minibars, and LCD TVs with cable channels.
The breakfast buffet is complimentary at the Sokullu Pasa and guests can enjoy drinks in the lobby bar or out in the garden. The hotel is also very child-friendly, making it one of the best hotels in Sultanahmet for families and young children.
>>Click to see guest reviews, photos, prices, and availability.<<
Nomade Hotel Exclusive
A favorite for couples, the Nomade Hotel Exclusive is perfectly located in the heart of Fatih and central to every tourist attraction worth viewing.
The view from the terrace bar makes it the perfect spot for meals and drinks. With free Wi-Fi and a spa, the six-story building has an authentic Turkish interior with air-conditioned rooms that have satellite flat-screen TVs, ironing facilities, and in-room safes.
For the business-minded traveler, the hotel offers a conference room with a video projector and a business center.
>>Click to see guest reviews, photos, prices, and availability.<<
Aren Suites
Overlooking the Sea of Marmara, Aren Suites is a convenient walking distance from the Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Topkapi Palace.
The 24/7-open rooftop terrace has the perfect view of the sea and the aesthetically pleasing rooms sport parquet floors and whirlpool tubs, with some rooms offering sea views.
The rooms also have free Wi-Fi, LED TVs with satellite channels, minibars, and coffee making facilities.
>>Click to see guest reviews, photos, prices, and availability.<<
Obelisk Hotel & Suites
For visitors coming to the city of Istanbul for reasons of faith, Obelisk Hotel is well suited to cater to your every need. This hotel is for non-smokers only and is conveniently located a few minutes’ walk or drive from the Blue Mosque.
It is also highly rated by couples as its rooms are spacious and have serene views of the garden. The rooms are equipped with TVs in the sitting area, bathroom accessories, and other amenities.
Guests are treated to a buffet breakfast every morning.
>>Click to see guest reviews, photos, prices, and availability.<<
Valide Sultan Konagi
Valide Sultan Konagi is situated in a seventeen-room mansion, only minutes from the Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III and Gulhane Park, or the Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Square.
Its rooms are well equipped with satellite TV, a sitting area, free Wi-Fi, firm beds, and goose-feather pillows.
The hotel has a cafe, a bar, and a restaurant, which provides residents with a free buffet breakfast every morning.
>>Click to see guest reviews, photos, prices, and availability.<<
Boutique Saint Sophia
Boutique Saint Sophia is located in a renovated 19th-century building in Sultanahmet, surrounded by many of the town’s historic monuments like the Basilica Cistern and the Hagia Sophia Museum, whose courtyard can be seen from the top of the Boutique.
Guests will find the hotel quite welcoming as they are presented with a complimentary package of wine, chips, chocolates, and a fruit plate and then led up to their rooms that have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and a well-stocked free minibar.
If a minibar raid does not keep the thirst away, Sophia Pita, the hotel café, is well equipped with Turkish and international wines and liquors.
>>Click to see guest reviews, photos, prices, and availability.<<
Seven Hills Palace
The Seven Hills Palace is located in the heart of Sultanahmet, a mere 15-minute walk from the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar.
It is composed of three buildings built in different styles, and the rooms in each building have a different style and ambiance.
The hotel has a seasonal outdoor pool and a garden. They also offer free Wi-Fi, and each room also contains a desk, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom.
>>Click to see guest reviews, photos, prices, and availability.<<
Four Seasons Sultanahmet
Perhaps the last word in Istanbul luxury, the Four Seasons has a history of turning confinement to refinement, as the site it inhabits was once a three-story prison building which was remodeled to house voluntary instead of state-compelled guests.
Its entire decor follows the neo-classical patterning, and all its rooms feature fully-equipped entertainment systems, espresso machines, free wifi, and a marble bathroom with a deep soaking tub.
The Four Seasons also offers a world-class spa and fitness center, and bot the Seasons Restaurant in the courtyard and A’YA Lounge on the rooftop offer delicious meals and drinks.
>>Click to see guest reviews, photos, prices, and availability.<<
Ajwa Hotel Sultanahmet
The Ajwa Hotel Sultanahmet is a new hotel that was launched in 2017. Located ten minutes away from the Blue Mosque, the design of the hotel leans heavily on the Ottoman style, and its rooms feature furniture and carpets made in the same fashion.
All rooms also contain amenities like Loewe Ultra HD TVs, electronic curtains, and M Line Slow Motion Beds. Fitness enthusiasts will find the hotel gym fully functional, and after a great workout, they can head up to the 8th floor, where Zeferan Restaurant is located, for a great meal or drink while they marvel at the view of the Marmara Sea, the Princes Islands, and Sultanahmet.
>>Click to see guest reviews, photos, prices, and availability.<<
5 Things to Pack for Your Trip to Istanbul
We’re working on our full list of what to pack for Istanbul, but here are five things you definitely want to bring with you!
The Lonely Planet Turkey: a good guidebook can help you with the kinds of safety tips you need if you’re out in the city and feel a bit lost, especially if you don’t have internet or a cell signal. These also have specific neighborhood information that will help you in different parts of the city.
Unlocked Cell Phone: Allison and I both have unlocked cell phones that we bought in Europe (I use a Samsung and she uses and iPhone). This allows up to get sim cards when we travel so that we always have the internet. This has gotten us out of so many jams!
If you don’t have an unlocked cell phone that can use a Turkish sim card, you can buy a cheaper unlocked phone online and bring it with you!
Pacsafe Citysafe or Other Anti-Theft Bag: This is the bag both Allison and I use (and they also make men’s versions). It has a pouch with RFID technology so our credit cards can’t get scanned from afar, interlocking zippers to make it harder to pickpocket, and it’s roomy enough to be a perfect sightseeing day bag. If you’d rather bring something smaller, you can pack a money belt instead.
Grayl Water Filter: While the water is *technically* safe to drink now, I would still avoid it. If you don’t want to be buying millions of plastic water bottles, you can get a reusable water bottle that comes with a water filter so that you can stick to the tap water and reduce your plastic waste.
Seabands: If you get seasick easily, pack some Seabands or seasickness pills so you don’t miss out on the best parts of Istanbul-being on the water! A trip to Istanbul isn’t complete without a Bosphorus cruise or at least a quick boat trip, so make sure you’re prepared to enjoy it to the fullest!
More Istanbul Travel Resources
We have a ton of resources to help you plan your trip to Istanbul! We’re working on our massive post on things to do in Istanbul and Istanbul travel tips, plus you can check out our guide to the best Instagram spots around Istanbul, important Istanbul safety tips, and tips for shopping in Istanbul.
If you will be visiting in winter, we have a special winter in Istanbul guide plus an overview of Istanbul weather in January.
If you want to be in the city for just a few days (four or less), check out our Istanbul city break guide, which breaks down the best of the city so you won’t miss anything!
For more general Turkey information, check out this guide to planning a trip to Turkey (including visa information) and this guide to other beautiful places to visit in Turkey. You can also check out our Balkan currency guide, which explains how the Turkish lira works and guidelines for tipping in Istanbul.
We have tons more Turkey and Balkans resources, and we publish new content nearly daily. Bookmark our Turkey and Balkans travel pages so you can find any new resources that come out before your trip!
Finally, Don’t Forget About Travel Insurance!
It’s always a good idea to travel to Turkey or anywhere in Europe with a valid travel insurance policy. Istanbul is a very safe place to travel, but accidents or theft can easily ruin your trip if you don’t have the travel insurance coverage to recover the losses. Recently my aunt fell on a train in France and needed surgery, but luckily her travel insurance covered the costs in full. Thank goodness!
For travel insurance, I use World Nomads. I’ve been a happy customer of theirs for almost three years, and I’ve never had an issue when making a claim. I’m happy to refer them to anyone I meet.
>>Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here.<<
Pin this Guide to the Best Hotels Near the Blue Mosque for Your Trip to Istanbul
Stephanie has been living in and traveling around the Balkans for the past three years. She’s written for National Geographic Online, appeared on CNN Arabic and in the New York Times, and ridden more Balkan buses than is good for a person.
