A walk through Istanbul

Galata to Sultanahmet — eight stops, each colored by what it is (landmark, café, museum), with the camera and the right-pane image flying together.

STOP 1 · GALATA

Start at the tower

We begin where most İstanbul stories do — at the foot of the Galata Tower. Built in 1348, it still hands out the best 360° view in the old city. Landmark stops glow orange across the route.

STOP 2 · GALATA BRIDGE

Cross the Golden Horn

Walk south along Galip Dede Caddesi, then turn down to the bridge. Fishermen line the upper deck; the lower deck is all fish sandwiches and rakı. Another landmark — still orange.

STOP 3 · EMİNÖNÜ

Into the Spice Bazaar

Past the bridge, the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) hits you with cardamom, saffron and Turkish delight. Built in 1664, its arches still echo with traders. Yellow dot — café stop, slow down here.

STOP 4 · NEW MOSQUE

Pause at Yeni Camii

Across the square, the New Mosque (built 1597-1665, so 'new' in Istanbul terms) anchors the Eminönü waterfront. Pigeons everywhere. Museum-coded crimson — you'll see it again at Hagia Sophia.

STOP 5 · GRAND BAZAAR

Lose yourself in 4,000 shops

Walk uphill to the Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı). 61 streets, 4,000 shops, half a million visitors a day. Bargain hard. Drink the tea — café stop again.

STOP 6 · SÜLEYMANİYE

Sinan's masterpiece

Skip up the hill to Süleymaniye Mosque. Mimar Sinan called it his most ambitious work — finished 1557, the dome still feels weightless from the courtyard. Museum crimson.

STOP 7 · HAGIA SOPHIA

Fifteen centuries in one room

Walk east across Sultanahmet Square. Hagia Sophia (537) is the centrepiece — church, mosque, museum, mosque again. Sit inside and look up. Museum crimson, the deepest of the route.

STOP 8 · BLUE MOSQUE

End with the blue tiles

Walk 200m south to the Blue Mosque (1616). Six minarets, 20,000 İznik tiles, and the perfect finish line for a 4km, 800-year walk through the city. Closing landmark — orange again.

Walking route
Stops
A walk through Istanbul — Spatly