UNESCO World HeritageHagia Sophia & Sultanahmet
The historic peninsula: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Hippodrome within a ten-minute walk of each other.
Istanbul
Welcome
A city built on two continents
Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the Grand Bazaar, a Bosphorus cruise between two continents — Istanbul offers an extraordinary blend of history, culture and cuisine. The historic peninsula is about 21 km from the venue — around 45 minutes by metro and tram (M1A, then the T1 tram).
Visiting mosques
Mosques such as the Blue Mosque and Süleymaniye are open to visitors free of charge outside prayer times; on Fridays they are closed to visitors until the midday prayer is over. Foreign visitors to Hagia Sophia enter through a separate ticketed route to the upper gallery. Shoulders and knees should be covered, women cover their hair and shoes are taken off — scarves are available at the entrance.
Museums and bazaars
Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays and Dolmabahçe Palace on Mondays; the Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and public holidays. The Basilica Cistern, Galata Tower, Maiden’s Tower and the Istanbul Archaeology Museums are open daily. City ferries (Şehir Hatları) run public Bosphorus tours from Eminönü.
- 16 M
- inhabitants
- 2
- continents
- 2,700
- years of history
- 17 °C
- average in April
Things to see
Highlights of Istanbul
Suggested visits before, between and after the sessions. Guided tours and a Bosphorus dinner cruise will be offered to participants.
UNESCO World Heritage
Must doThe Bosphorus
Take a ferry between two continents. Ottoman waterside mansions, fortresses and fish restaurants line the strait.
Culture & viewsGalata & Beyoğlu
Galata Tower, İstiklal Avenue with its historic tram, and the galleries and cafés of Karaköy on the northern shore of the Golden Horn.
ShoppingGrand Bazaar
Sixty-one covered streets and more than 4,000 shops — carpets, ceramics, jewellery and the art of bargaining.
FoodSpice Bazaar & Eminönü
Spices, dried fruit, Turkish delight and the ferry piers of Eminönü, where the city has traded for centuries.
Hidden gemBasilica Cistern
A 6th-century underground water reservoir supported by 336 columns, moments from Hagia Sophia.
HistoryTopkapı Palace
Seat of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries, with courtyards, the Harem and treasury overlooking the sea.
Across the straitÜsküdar & the Asian side
Cross to Asia for Maiden’s Tower, the Kadıköy food market and sunset views back over the old city.
Plan your stay
Come early, stay longer
Conference hotel rates are available a few days before and after the conference. Visa, weather and transport information is on the Practical Information page.