Europe
Turkey
Istanbul
Places to visit in Istanbul
Hippodrome

Hippodrome, Istanbul: Address, Phone Number, Hippodrome Reviews: 4/5

See all things to do

Hippodrome

See all things to do
See all things to do
Hippodrome
4
802
#102 of 1,492 things to do in Istanbul
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Read more
About
The ancient Hippodrome was the center of Byzantine civic life, from political and theological controversies to chariot races and riots. Built in 203 by Emperor Septimus Severus, it is estimated that the arena could accommodate up to 100,000 spectators.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Hippodrome
See all
The area
Neighbourhood: Sultanahmet
With so many unmissable attractions within a mere stroll of each other – and all set around the site of an ancient Byzantine hippodrome – Sultanahmet is an overwhelmingly popular tourist destination, and a prime location for visitors to be wowed on a truly epic scale. Beyond the wonders of the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and more, this relatively small area of Istanbul somehow manages to retain an air of peace and calm. It offers visitors a significantly less celebrated but nonetheless pleasant network of quaint lanes and side streets, majestic panoramas of the Bosphorus, and an impressive assortment of accommodation options for all budgets and tastes.
Best nearby
Restaurants
4,495 within 5 kms
Three Partners Cafe & Restaurant
1,636
0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Cafe • Seafood • Mediterranean
Garden 1897 Restaurant
940
0.4 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Mediterranean • Barbecue • Turkish
Sultan Palace Cafe Restaurant
360
0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Steakhouse • Seafood • Mediterranean
Istanbul Kebab Cafe & Restaurant
1,597
0.3 km₹ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Barbecue
Querencia Restaurant
394
0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Steakhouse • Bar • International
Divella Bistro Restaurant
1,153
0.4 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Italian • Steakhouse • Seafood
Shadow Kitchen & Bar
324
0.4 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Quick Bites • Pizza • Seafood
Fish Home Ahhirkapı restaurant
2,171
0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Seafood • Healthy • Vegan Options
Rainbow Fish & Meat Restaurant
675
0.4 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Barbecue
The ottomans kitchen cafe restaurant
145
0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Steakhouse • Seafood • Mediterranean
See all
Attractions
957 within 10 kms
Sultanahmet District
16,550
51 mNeighbourhoods • Historic Walking Areas
Blue Mosque
34,750
67 mReligious Sites
Sultanahmet Square
3,449
96 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum (Turk ve Islam Eserleri Muzesi)
656
71 mArt Museums • History Museums
Great Palace Mosaics Museum
648
0.2 kmAncient Ruins • Art Museums
Arasta Bazaar
831
0.2 kmFlea & Street Markets
Serpent Column
223
93 mHistoric Sites
Sultanahmet Mosque Information Center
61
0.1 kmVisitor Centres • Religious Sites
Sultan Ahmet Tomb
17
0.1 kmReligious Sites
Sultanahmet Meydani
10
0.1 kmHistoric Sites
See all
Popular mentions
4.0
802 reviews
Excellent
208
Very good
329
Average
230
Poor
31
Terrible
4
Aayash114
Beirut, Lebanon16 contributions
Nice for walking
May 2022 • Couples
It’s a place where something was there. Not much left of it except couple of monuments. Not too many meanings but nice place to walk around
Written 5 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MarcusHurley
Bristol, UK8,282 contributions
2000 years of history
Apr 2022
This is a lovely open area and largely free of crowds, although there are usually tour groups around each of the obelisks. It is quite amazing how much the ground level has been raised in the 2000 years since this area was constructed. Easy to get to and a peaceful pause before diving back in to the main attractions.
Written 28 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Diana B
Iasi, Romania1,509 contributions
Nice stroll
Feb 2022
Very nice area to stroll, with interesting things to see: the Egyptian obelisk, the serpent column from Delphi, the stone obelisk originally gold-covered, the fountain offered to the Ottoman sultan by the German Emperor William II, and nearby Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque). There are street vendors with roasted chestnuts and boiled corn, or with simit, local pretzels.
Written 2 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mohamed A
Riffa, Bahrain81 contributions
Awesome history
Oct 2021 • Couples
Hippodrome of Constantinople or what remains of this great circus is located at Sultan Ahmed square now, behind it Hagia Sophia and to its left The blue mosque and Sultan Ahmed Cami. You will be able to see three of its facilities, the Serpent Column, Obelisk of Thutmose 3, the walled obelisk and the statues of Porphyrius . In addition to what left over of its walls at far end behind Marmara university. The place is so beautiful and full of history. If you go to the right of Hagia Sofia, and take the first right alley, you will find coffee shops snd restaurants, at the middle of this alley there is a building desecrated for the Hippodrome we’re you can read about its history.
Written 2 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
shufflin maniac
Zagreb, Croatia35 contributions
Nice walk, it's next to all bigger attractions in Istanbul
Aug 2021
We want for a walk, checked the Hippodrome, took a break there and enjoyed the view of the obelisks. Next to the hippodrome is hagia sofia, blue mosque and Turkish and Islamic arts museum. In the museum ground floor it is possible to see the remains of the hippodrome.
Written 6 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ben F
Bloomington, IN1,065 contributions
Incredible Area
May 2021
The Hippodrome is not clearly marked on any map or any sign in the Sultanahmet District, but from what I glean it is (or used to be, rather), I enjoyed spending my time at it. To imagine the chariot races of the past is so intriguing. It goes to show that history can exist where you walk without you even realizing! Along with adjacent attractions, this is a must!
Written 31 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bowmanator22
Charlotte, NC4,944 contributions
Beautiful area
Jul 2021 • Friends
I absolutely loved this area of town. The history is rich, and the attractions are endless. Loved the obelisk with Hieroglyphs. And the fountains and mosques are so wonderfully artistic.
Written 17 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
msa23_2000
Chino Hills, CA1,078 contributions
Open area in town
Apr 2021
You can be in the hippodrome and not know it. It is an open space where the hippodrome was. Have a guide paint a picture then close your eyes and imagine the history and the chariot races. There are two obelisks and a German fountain. It was not crowded in the morning.
Written 1 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Travelaround59
London, UK1,695 contributions
Travelling during the pandemic: 9!
Nov 2020 • Solo
The plus side of the pandemic is that you can really enjoy the beauty of the historical cities without the vast quantity of tourist that are normally around.
So today I had enough time to enjoy the beauty of the three obelisks that are in the square. Of course the beauty of the Hippodrome is the vast square and of course the beautiful buildings that face the square, starting with the Blue Mosque.
Written 8 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
B1714D
Belgrade, Serbia12,365 contributions
You must imagine it
Sep 2020
First of all, do not expect to find a hippodrome here. It used to be here, but some 17 centuries ago, even earlier. You must walk the area, catch the shape of it and use your imagination - just the same like at Rome's Piazza Navona.
Constantine the Great renovated and enlarged the already existing smaller hippodrome, converting it into a main social attraction throughout the Byzantine period with horse and chariot races.
Today it's a pedestrian area between Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque with some same era monuments like the Theodosis and Egyptian obelisk.
Written 7 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 429
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Frequently Asked Questions about Hippodrome
We recommend booking Hippodrome tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 498 Hippodrome tours on Tripadvisor