Miran Hotel is conveniently located at old Sultanahmet, the most historic area in Istanbul, it is a short walking distance to most of historical attractions.
The great manuments of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, the Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, Archaeology Museum, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Islamic art Museum, Mosaic Museum, Hippodrome and Obelisk are Just a few minutes away on foot.
All the other major touristic places such as the Grand Bazaar, Spice Market, Galata Bridge, Galata Tower and ferries with in walking distance.You can also go to Taksim Square and Dolmabahçe Palace 15 minute by tram and street car.
Distance from the Miran Hotel
Useful Information
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia from the Greek: Holy Wisdom; Latin: Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum in Istanbul. From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as the cathedral of Constantinople except between 1204 and 1261, when it was the cathedral of the Latin empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1934, when it was secularized; it was opened as a museum on 1 February 1935.The entrance fee is 25 TL.
Topkapı Palace
(Topkapı Sarayı), Bab-i Hümayün Caddesi (by tram: Gülhane/Sultanahmet), +90 212 512-04-80. M,W-Su 09:00-17:00. The imperial enclave of the Ottoman emperors for four centuries. Lavishly decorated, with four courts of increasing grandeur. In the second court of the entrance to the Harem (admission extra, only by joining a guided tour) and the State Treasury, housing a weaponry display. The third court has the Imperial Treasury. Both Islamic and Christian relics, rugs, porcelain. The views from the Fourth Court over the Bosphorus are spectacular. You can also see Prophet Mohammed's belongings. 25 TL (no concessions, credit cards and Turkish currency accepted. Harem 15 TL extra).
Basilica Cistern
(Yerebatan Sarnici). Yerebatan Cad., Sultanahmet, 09:00-18:30. A giant underground cistern built by Justinian in 532 to provide water to the city in cases of siege. A wooden walkway winds between the pillars, and lights and piped music add to the eerie atmosphere. Bring some type of fish food as you'll see enormous fish swimming below your feet. The statues of Medussa are impressive. 3 TL for Turkish citizens, 10 TL (no concessions. Turkish currency and credit cards accepted.)
Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Turkish: Sultanahmet Camii) is a historical mosque in Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and the capital of the Ottoman Empire (from 1453 to 1923). The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior.
Süleymaniye Mosque
(Süleymaniye Camii; about 15-20 min walk away from Beyazıt tram stop/Grand Bazaar, also same distance away from Eminönü, but you should walk uphill from there). On the top of a hill overlooking Golden Horn is a work ofSinan, an Ottoman architect of the 16th century. The mosque is a fine example of Ottoman architecture of the era, and inspired the architects of the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet) which was built later. Comparing these two mosques, Süleymaniye is noted for its gloomier and more atmospheric feeling. Next to the courtyard of the mosque are tombs of Sinan himself, Sultan Suleiman the Magnicifent, and his Ukrainian spouse, Roxelana (known as Hürrem Sultan in Turkish). Free admission (both the mosque building itself and tombs in the courtyard). As of June 2010, the mosque is under construction with very little of the interior available to see. Currently, best seen from a distance.
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art
(Sultanahmet). Carpets, rugs, calligraphy, pottery. With the same ticket, you can visit also the Ethnographic Museum downstairs where you can learn about the lifestyle of the Turks and their ancestors. 10 TL.
The Museum of Archeology
(Arkeoloji Müzesi), Osman Hamdi Bey Yokuşu, Gülhane (tram: Gülhane; take the first right after entering Gülhane Park), ☎ +90 212 520-77-42. Tu-Su 21:00-17:00. Tickets stop being sold at 16:00. A must see! One of the best, including a great collection of Sumerian tablets, pieces of the wall of Babylon and Roman marble statues. The Alexander Sarcophagus, once believed to be the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great himself (but later found out to be not the case), which is very well preserved and highly adorned with bas-relief carvings of Alexander the Great is among the most famous pieces of ancient art displayed in the museum. 10 TL.
Dolmabahce Palace
The Dolmabahce Palace is located at the European side of the Bosporus, served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1922.The entrence fee is 25 TL.
Egyption Bazaar
Located next to the Yeni Cami (New Mosque), it is the second largest covered market in Istanbul. This famous bazaar with its countless shops selling spices and sweets was always a gathering place for tourists
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops
