Things to do in the Historic Peninsula in the evening: from sunset to night lights
Route summary
| Duration | Evening (3–4 hours) |
|---|---|
| Best for | Families who visit museums by day and want to make the most of the evening |
| Number of stops | 9 |
| Total walking (approx.) | 4.8 km |
General information for the evening
Mosques are open until the night prayer; visits may be restricted between the evening and night prayers. The bazaars close around 19:00–19:30. Sultanahmet Square and the park between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque stay lit and busy until late at night, making them a safe area for an evening stroll with family. For dinner, we have collected alcohol-free family restaurants in our family restaurants guide.
Option 1: Sunset and a whirling dervish ceremony
Be at Süleymaniye an hour before sunset; buy the show ticket in advance.
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About 8 min walk to the next stop (550 m) Directions
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About 9 min walk to the next stop (600 m) Directions
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About 13 min walk to the next stop (900 m) Directions
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About 17 min walk to the next stop (1.2 km) Directions
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Option 2: A quiet evening in Sultanahmet
For those with children who want to stay close to their hotel.
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About 5 min walk to the next stop (380 m) Directions
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Little Hagia Sophia
A quiet moment in the courtyard during the evening call to prayer.
Suggested time: 15 min
About 14 min walk to the next stop (990 m) Directions
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About 4 min walk to the next stop (250 m) Directions
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Ramadan evenings
During Ramadan, iftar tents, a book fair and cultural events are set up on Sultanahmet Square; tarawih prayers are held in the mosques and the square stays lively until midnight. In this period restaurants fill up just before iftar, so it is a good idea to book a table in advance.
Our family hotels closest to the start of the route
Walking times are approximate and measured from the hotel door; where the hotel gives its own time, we show that.
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Süleymaniye Mosque: 28 min walk (1.9 km) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
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Sareban Hotel
Süleymaniye Mosque: 28 min walk (2 km) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Süleymaniye Mosque: 28 min walk (2 km) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Süleymaniye Mosque: 28 min walk (2 km) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
Frequently asked questions
What can you do in Sultanahmet in the evening?
A stroll between the illuminated Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, a whirling dervish ceremony at Hodjapasha, the night session at the Basilica Cistern and a walk by the sea on the seaside promenade are the most popular evening activities.
Where should you watch the sunset in Istanbul?
The best sunset spots in the Historic Peninsula are the courtyard of the Süleymaniye Mosque overlooking the Golden Horn, the Galata Bridge and the Kennedy Avenue seaside promenade.