The Historic Peninsula corporate trip is a half-day guided walking programme around Sultanahmet, where the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman layers of Istanbul sit one on top of another. Within an area of a few hundred metres it brings together monuments from three imperial eras. It is a suitable starter route for employees getting to know Istanbul up close for the first time and for companies looking for an economy-budget cultural activity.

What is in the programme?

The route begins at the Hippodrome, where chariot races were held in the Byzantine era, today's Sultanahmet Square. The Obelisk brought from Egypt, the Serpent Column brought from Delphi, the Walled Obelisk and the German Fountain, a gift from the German Emperor Wilhelm II, tell the story of the city's different periods along a single line.

The walk then moves on to the Sultanahmet Mosque, built by Ahmed I and also known as the Blue Mosque for the İznik tiles of its interior, and to Hagia Sophia opposite. Depending on time and interest, the Basilica Cistern, the First Courtyard of Topkapı Palace or the Arasta Bazaar can be added to the route. The area has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985.

Highlights

• A route that presents the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods together within walking distance
• The story of a city square in use since Byzantine times, told through the Hippodrome monuments
• The chance to read the Sultanahmet Mosque and Hagia Sophia side by side
• A modular format that can be extended with the Basilica Cistern, Topkapı or the Arasta Bazaar

Who Is It For?

Planned for SME and corporate teams of 10-80. It is a core route for employees arriving from outside the city, for introducing Istanbul to new joiners and for programmes with foreign guests, and it is also chosen as an economy-budget half-day activity. Large groups are split into sub-groups with more than one guide. The effort level is moderate: around three hours of walking, mostly on level ground.

Planning Notes

• The square and the area around the mosques get busier as the day goes on, so a morning start is recommended.
• The order of visits is arranged around prayer times and dress rules at the mosques; it is practical for female participants to carry a headscarf.
• Museum and site admission fees vary according to which buildings are added to the route and should be settled at the outset.
• In summer, water and a hat are recommended for the unshaded parts of the square.