Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

Walk down Şehit Mehmet Paşa Yokuşu and continue down Katip Sinan Camii Sokak. You will arrive at the 5 Sokullu Şehit Mehmet Paşa Mosque on the lefthand side of the street. After admiring its İznik tiles, veer left down Şehit Mehmet Paşa Sokak to the residential neighbourhood of Küçük Ayasofya. You will come to a busy but narrow road called Kadırga Limanı Caddesi. Veer left here and follow the road until you arrive at the sadly delapidated 6 Çardaklı Hamam, built in 1503. Turn right and you will see 7 Little Aya Sofya, one of the most beautiful Byzantine buildings in the city. Continue east along Küçük Ayasofya Caddesi and walk left up the hill at Aksakal Caddesi. At the crest is the 8 Sphendone, originally part of the Hippodrome’s southern stadium. Opposite is a huge carpet shop called 9 Nakkaş. Pop in here and ask a staff member to show you the restored Byzantine cistern in its basement. From here, continue along Nakilbent Sokak and veer right down Şifa Hamamı Sokak, turning left into Küçük Ayasofya Caddesi. Continue straight to the a Arasta Bazaar, Sultanahmet’s pre-eminent shopping precinct.