Изысканная роскошь и уют: бутик-комфорт в нашем отеле
Explore the historic surroundings of Novelty Hotel Istanbul and discover some of the city’s most iconic landmarks within walking distance. Located in the heart of Fatih, our hotel offers easy access to cultural sites, local experiences, and vibrant city life.
Historical Attractions on the Historic Peninsula
The Historic Peninsula of Istanbul is home to centuries of history, culture, and architectural heritage. Staying at Novelty Hotel Istanbul allows guests to explore many of these iconic landmarks on foot or with a short public transport ride.
Major Landmarks Within Walking Distance
Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Novelty Hotel Istanbul.
Hagia Sophia is one of Istanbul’s most significant landmarks, originally built in the 6th century as a Byzantine cathedral. It was later used as a mosque and then as a museum, and today it functions again as a mosque while also remaining open to visitors as a historical monument, reflecting the city’s layered Byzantine and Ottoman heritage.
Hagia Sophia
Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)
Approximately 8–10 minutes on foot from Novelty Hotel Istanbul.
The Sultanahmet Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque, was built in the early 17th century during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I. Famous for its elegant domes and blue Iznik tiles, it remains an active place of worship and one of the most important examples of classical Ottoman architecture.
Topkapı Palace
Approximately 12–15 minutes on foot from Novelty Hotel Istanbul.
Topkapı Palace served as the main residence and administrative center of the Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries. Today, it operates as a museum, showcasing imperial collections, courtyards, and panoramic views over the Bosphorus, offering insight into the political and cultural life of the Ottoman Empire.
Grand Bazaar
Approximately 8–10 minutes on foot from Novelty Hotel Istanbul.
The Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, established in the 15th century shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul. With thousands of shops spread across historic covered streets, it has long been a central hub for trade, craftsmanship, and daily life in the city.
Basilica Cistern
Approximately 8–10 minutes on foot from Novelty Hotel Istanbul.
The Basilica Cistern is an ancient underground water reservoir built in the 6th century during the Byzantine era to supply water to the Great Palace and surrounding buildings. One of its most intriguing features is the two Medusa head columns, reused from earlier Roman structures, which have become a symbol of the site and add an element of mystery to its atmospheric setting.
Other Significant Historical Sites Nearby
Süleymaniye Mosque
Approximately 15–18 minutes on foot from Novelty Hotel Istanbul.
The Süleymaniye Mosque was built in the 16th century by the renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and is considered one of the masterpieces of Ottoman architecture. In the garden of the mosque are the tombs of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife Hürrem Sultan (Roxelana), making the complex not only a place of worship but also an important historical and memorial site overlooking the Golden Horn.
Little Hagia Sophia Mosque
Approximately 10–12 minutes on foot from Novelty Hotel Istanbul.
The Little Hagia Sophia Mosque was originally built in the 6th century as the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus during the Byzantine period. Later converted into a mosque, it is considered an important early example of Byzantine architecture and is often seen as a precursor to the design of Hagia Sophia.
Istanbul Archaeology Museums
Approximately 12–15 minutes on foot from Novelty Hotel Istanbul.
The Istanbul Archaeology Museums are a complex of three museums established in the late 19th century, housing one of the world’s most important archaeological collections. The museums display artifacts from ancient civilizations across Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean, offering deep insight into the region’s long and layered history.
Gülhane Park
Approximately 12–15 minutes on foot from Novelty Hotel Istanbul.
Gülhane Park is one of Istanbul’s oldest and most historic parks, once part of the outer gardens of Topkapı Palace during the Ottoman period. Today, it offers a peaceful green space near major historical landmarks, providing scenic walking paths and views toward the Bosphorus while reflecting the city’s imperial past.
Spice Bazaar
Approximately 12–15 minutes on foot from Novelty Hotel Istanbul.
The Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, was built in the 17th century as part of the New Mosque complex. It has long been a vibrant center for the trade of spices, herbs, sweets, and traditional products, reflecting Istanbul’s role as a historic crossroads of commerce and culture.
Historic Streets and Districts to Explore
Sultanahmet Square
Approximately 8–10 minutes on foot from Novelty Hotel Istanbul.
Sultanahmet Square stands on the site of the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople, which once served as the social and ceremonial heart of the Byzantine capital. Among its most notable monuments is the German Fountain, a neo-Byzantine fountain gifted by German Emperor Wilhelm II in the late 19th century, symbolizing historical ties between the Ottoman Empire and Germany.
Other significant monuments on the square include the Obelisk of Theodosius, originally erected in Ancient Egypt and transported to Constantinople in the 4th century, the Serpent Column from ancient Delphi, and the Walled Obelisk, reflecting layers of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman history concentrated in one open square.
Eminönü
Approximately 15–18 minutes on foot from Novelty Hotel Istanbul.
Eminönü has long been one of Istanbul’s most important commercial and port districts, serving as a gateway between the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus, and the Historic Peninsula. For centuries, it has been a center of trade, ferry transport, and daily urban life, surrounded by landmarks such as mosques, markets, and waterfront piers that reflect the city’s maritime and mercantile heritage.
Beyazıt Square
Approximately 8–10 minutes on foot from Novelty Hotel Istanbul.
Beyazıt Square is one of the oldest and most historically significant public squares in Istanbul, located next to the Grand Bazaar. It has long served as an important gathering point and is home to landmarks such as the Beyazıt Mosque and the historic main gate of Istanbul University, reflecting the city’s transition from the Ottoman period to the modern era.
Çemberlitaş Square
Approximately 6–8 minutes on foot from Novelty Hotel Istanbul.
Çemberlitaş Square is centered around the Column of Constantine, a Roman monument erected in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine the Great to mark the founding of Constantinople as the new imperial capital. Over the centuries, the column and the surrounding square have remained an important landmark, reflecting the city’s Roman and Byzantine heritage within the historic urban fabric.
Beyazıt Tower
Approximately 8–10 minutes on foot from Novelty Hotel Istanbul.
Beyazıt Tower was originally built in the 18th century as a fire watchtower to help protect the city from devastating fires. Rising above Beyazıt Square, it has long served as a symbol of urban safety and communication, and today it remains a recognizable landmark within the historic center of Istanbul.