Anyone looking for things to do in Fatih in Istanbul, will not be short of ideas. Often called the historical peninsula because of the Sultanahmet neighbourhood and many Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks, lesser-known places also present ideal opportunities beyond the guidebooks.
Named after the Ottoman ruler Fatih Sultan Mehmed, who captured the city in 1453, this is the original heart of Istanbul and where Turkey's busiest and most significant city began. Fifty-seven individual neighbourhoods covering 17 square kilometres have their own characteristics and claim to fame, but where should you go first, and which tourist attractions are the best to see?
What to do in Fatih in Istanbul
1: Explore the Sultanahmet District
Fatih's main claim to fame, which is why thousands of people visit every month, is the Sultanahmet area. As the former ruling capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, this area holds many iconic UNESCO World Heritage landmarks. To see them all in a day would be a fast-paced tour, so ideally spend two days soaking up the Blue Mosque's Islamic ambience and admire the Hagia Sophia's Biblical frescoes and mosaics.
Just around the corner, the sprawling Topkapi Palace portrays the life of the now-defunct Ottoman royalty. Tour kitchens that used to feed thousands, circumcision rooms, jewellery, clothing and armoury exhibition halls and pay the extra money to wander around the harem and imagine the untold secrets of eras gone by.
The Basilica Cistern, called 1001 columns by Mark Twain, is memorised with eerie quietness and Medusa heads. The Hippodrome was the former sporting centre of Byzantium, with a few structures still standing. Across the road lies the small but interesting Turkish and Islamic Art Museum. A must-visit for history lovers is Istanbul's Archaeology Museum, which displays the world's best collections of ancient artefacts.
2: Balat and Fener Neighbourhoods of Fatih
The internet changed how we travel from mainstream holiday packages to independent exploration, allowing us to delve into cultural neighbourhoods. Two Istanbul neighbourhoods enjoying the rise in popularity of going off the tourism grid are Fener and Balat, both rich in diversity. For centuries, Balat housed Jewish communities in Constantinople, while neighbouring Fener's heritage was Greek Orthodox.
Although both are working-class suburbs, they've enjoyed a revival as people flock to admire the old architecture and house styles. Here, you get an authentic feel as you wander old streets with washing, hanging out, and children playing football. Novice and experienced street photographers clamber for original photo themes standing out on every corner, and walking tours with professional guides often sell out.
3: Seek Out the Seven Hills and Mosques
When Sultan Fatih conquered Istanbul in 1453, he wanted to declare the city the new ruling global power. The Byzantine Empire was already crumbling, but to send a snub, he replicated building the city on seven hills, just like Rome. All seven hills sit within the Fatih district, each home to old and respected mosques. Sultanahmet district was the first hill; the second holds Cemberlitas and Nuruosmaniye Mosque; the third to see is Suleymaniye; the fourth is the famous Fatih Mosque, Yavuz Selim is on the fifth, Mihrimah on the sixth, and the seventh is Kocanmustafpasa.
4: What to Do: Shop in Markets and Bazaars
Like everything else in Fatih, plenty of markets and bazaars cater to tourists and locals alike. Undoubtedly, the Grand Bazaar, Turkey’s largest covered shopping market, is the most famous, hosting thousands of visitors daily. The maze of narrow alleyways, ancient bedistans, and small shops is a money bonanza with separate areas for vendors depending on what items they sell.
Walk around and soak up the ambience, but otherwise, this is an excellent chance to practise your bargaining skills on prices and indulge in an ancient Turkish tradition. A short walk away, the Egyptian bazaar, on a much smaller scale, is where to buy exotic spices, but look up at the marvellous ceiling portraying the ancient past. Otherwise, Sahaflar Bazaar is brimming with second-hand books. Dating from the 16th century, most Turks visit there to find rare, used books.
5: Sogukcesme Street and Zeyrek Neighbourhood
Heading away from the Sultanahmet area towards Gulhane Park, a narrow street to wander along is Sogukcesme. The name means cold fountain, but restored wooden buildings displaying old wooden architecture garner the most attention. In stark contrast to the rest of the city, the narrow-cobbled paths are devoid of traffic and hordes of locals rushing around. To carry on seeking the old housing styles, jump in a taxi and head to the Zeyrek district. Hundreds of old wooden houses are in line for restoration and, like many other landmarks, supply a nostalgic glimpse into bygone eras. (Famous streets in Istanbul.)
6: Gulhane Park and Green Istanbul
Between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, the Sultanahmet Archaeological Park is an ideal place to relax and people-watch. However, to experience Green Istanbul bursting with colour, head to Gulhane Park in the Eminonu neighbourhood, next to Topkapi Palace. As Istanbul's oldest and largest park, reserved for royalty until 1912, it bursts with colour and green landscapes all year round but visit in April during the annual tulip festival. (Beautiful Istanbul parks.)
7: Marvel at the Suleymaniye Mosque
Crowning the third hill of Istanbul and built as the fourth imperial mosque, Suleymaniye commands respect for its staggering size and UNESCO world heritage status. Completed in 1557, after eight years of construction, it was the dream of Mimar Sinan, the Ottoman Empire's most famous and celebrated architect. In addition to the central mosque, the structure holds the tomb of Suleiman the Magnificent, his wife, and Mimar Sinan. Other areas included a religious school, soup kitchen, caravansary, library, and bazaar.
8: Destress and Relax in an Authentic Istanbul Hammam
Sweat off the dirt and grime of 21st-century living before enjoying an olive soap scrub down and massage in an authentic Turkish hammam. Visiting bath houses stems from Roman days, but Ottomans adapted the tradition and still practise it in authentic and time-honoured hammam houses. Cagaloglu Hammam first opened its doors in 1741 and is the last with separate entrances for women and men. Mimar Sinan designed the 1556 Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hammam for Hurrem, the wife of Suleiman the Magnificent. Otherwise, the Cemberlitas hammam, designed by Mimar Sinan and built in 1584, is another timeless classic.
9: Get Behind the Lens: Istanbul Photograph Museum
In the Kadirga neighbourhood, the Istanbul Photography Museum will interest those who like to see life through a lens. The museum, alongside the local council, opened in 2011 to collect, archive, display, and highlight Turkish photography throughout the decades. Permanent exhibitions and temporary themed displays often appear on the yearly calendar, and although the museum features photographs from around the world, the core theme is Turkish photographers and places.
10: The German and Ahmed the Third Fountains
While touring the Sultanahmet district, watch for two famous fountains. Emperor Wilhelm the 2nd presented the German fountain at the Hippodrome's northern end to the Ottoman Empire in 1898. The marvellous domed landmark signalled hopes of growing friendship and lucrative economic deals. Next, as you walk into Topkapi Palace, watch for Ahmed, the 3rd fountain dating from 1728 and often called the most beautiful.
11: Hodjapasa Whirling Dervish Show
Alongside the ancient landmarks, shopping bazaars and traditional hammams, another popular tourist attraction is watching a Sema performance by whirling dervishes, a sect of Islam revered by Rumi, the poet. The Hodjapasa Cultural Centre hosts this memorising performance to symbolise being at one with God. Constructed as a 15th-century bathhouse, they perform the Rhythm of the Dance show, combining Turkish cultural dances with ancient Ottoman harem dances. Follow up the performances with delicious food in nearby popular restaurants.
12: Fatih Mosque Complex
Often called a sacred landmark because it was the first imperial mosque of Ottoman Istanbul, the Fatih Mosque and original complex, part of Istanbul's historical areas, is divine. When wondering what to do in Fatih, Fatih Camii and the intricate architecture should be on your list of places to visit. The original building, converted from a Greek Orthodox church, was ruined by fires and an earthquake. Nevertheless, the 17th-century building we see today is as impressive and signifies the beginning of Istanbul's Ottoman era.
13: The old City Walls and Chora Church
In the Edirnekapı neighbourhood, certain sections of the old city walls have been restored. These walls hold mass importance because they were initially considered indestructible by the Byzantine Empire. Yet, Fatih Sultan Mehmet broke through them to capture Constantinople and change the course of history across the globe. Meanwhile, the nearby Chora Church is a stunning Byzantine church, originally built outside the city walls as part of a monastery complex. The church features breathtaking 14th-century mosaics and frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary. After the Ottoman conquest, the church was converted into a mosque.
14: The Eminonu Part
Originally a separate city centre district, Eminonu now belongs to Fatih but is worth exploring. As home to the Galata Bridge that crosses the Golden Horn to the Karakoy district, the area features the new mosque's 17th-century structure and a spice bazaar with plenty of shops. From this central location, a major tourist attraction is the Bosphorus ferry tours, which are sold at incredibly cheap prices. Turkish culture shines through every way, from street vendors selling simits to floating fish boats by the bridge. Eminonu is home to the T5 public transport tram line, should you want to explore further up the Golden Horn.
Handy Tip: The T1 tramway is ideal because it has tram stations throughout Fatih including Gülhane, Sultanhamet, Çemberlitaş, Beyazıt, and Aksaray. The tram also connects across the Galata Bridge, leading to locations like Galata Tower and Beyolgu. Be sure to buy an Istanbul Kart first, which makes getting around easy.
People Also Ask
Which side is Fatih on in Istanbul?
Fatih is on the European side in what is known as the historical peninsula. Surrounded by the Golden Horn, Bosphorus Strait, and Sea of Marmara, Fatih is also a 40-minute drive from the new airport. This convenient location hosts millions of tourist clients every year. Around the 18th century, Istanbul started to grow, but Fatih is the original old city and walled district.
What is Fatih in Istanbul known for?
In addition to being home to Istanbul University, Faith is well known for the Sultan Ahmet district, which has historical buildings from the Ottoman and Byzantine eras. The culture is strong in this conservative district. Explore the Topkapi administrative palace, see the famous Sultan Ahmet mosque, indulge in traditional coffee shops and nice restaurants, and get to know Turkey's best tourist city. Fatih is named after Fatih Mehmed II, who conquered Constantinople and ushered in a new era of prosperity.
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