5th-century cistern with 32 marble columns under the Fatih municipality building, restored in 2018 with a walkway and light projections; far shorter queues than the Basilica…
Covered market founded in 1461 with over 4,000 shops. Walk the old Cevahir Bedesten core for antiques, then the han courtyards (Zincirli Han, Büyük Valide Han) for workshops.
Mimar Sinan's 1557 masterpiece on the Third Hill. Less crowded than the Blue Mosque; see the tombs of Süleyman and Hürrem in the garden and the Golden Horn view from the back…
Small Sinan mosque raised above market shops, entirely lined with Iznik tiles of the finest period (1560s) including the rare tomato-red glaze. Entry is by a stair from the street.
Outer streets for coffee, cheese and pastırma; 30 min
L-shaped 1660s market attached to the New Mosque. Inside it is mostly lokum and spices for tourists; the outer streets (Hasırcılar Caddesi, Tahtakale) are where locals buy…
