Heritage in Istanbul

Sinan’s 1550s masterpiece crowns the Golden Horn, with the tombs of Süleyman the Magnificent and Hürrem in the garden behind. Free to enter; visitors wait outside during prayer times, so avoid Friday midday and dress modestly.

In İbrahim Pasha’s palace on the Hippodrome, with Seljuk and Ottoman carpets and Qurans by Yaqut al-Musta’simi. Open 09:00–18:00 from October to March (ticket office closes at 17:00); closed Mondays.

The Ottoman sultans’ palace, whose Chamber of Sacred Relics holds the Prophet’s mantle and sword alongside fine calligraphy. Closed Tuesdays; the combined ticket with the Harem is 2,750 TL in 2026, and modest dress is expected in the relics chamber.

Prayer in the ground-floor hall is free; foreign visitors pay €25 for the upper-gallery route with its mosaics and views over the dome. The route closes around Friday prayer, so go early morning or late afternoon.