Tourists visiting Istanbul prefer the historical peninsula

On the third day of Ramadan Bayram, those who wanted to explore Istanbul’s historical and touristic sites gathered around the area where the Hagia Sophia and the Sultanahmet Mosque are located, creating a bustling atmosphere.

Citizens from both within the city and from other provinces visited museums and mosques on the third day of the holiday. Taking advantage of the holiday, visitors arrived early in the morning to Sultanahmet, enjoying the nice weather while sitting on benches or on the grass with their corn, simit, and chestnuts.

Some visitors took selfies with their phones, while others took photographs in front of the Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Mosque. The preference of these mosques for Friday prayers and the presence of foreign tourists touring in groups also contributed to the density in the area.

People coming from outside the city prefer visiting the Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet. A visitor who came from Kocaeli with his family for the holiday, mentioned that he had had the opportunity to visit the Hagia Sophia for the first time and noted the significant crowd due to the holiday. Another person from Kocaeli expressed intention to perform Friday prayers at the Hagia Sophia but opted for Sultanahmet due to the excessive crowd, expressing surprise at the holiday’s intensity. A person who toured historical sites with her relatives from Trabzon, emphasized the unifying aspect of Islam and the attraction of Istanbul for people of all backgrounds, especially with free access to many sites. A lady from Bursa, visiting for the holiday, expressed concern about the crowds while planning to visit the Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet. A man who explored Eminönü and other areas on the first day of the holiday, mentioned planning to visit Sultanahmet and the Hagia Sophia with his mother and sister on the following day.