Sultanahmet

Sultanahmet has the must-see historical sites but comes with heavy tourist pressure. Fine for sightseeing during the day with police around, but harassment and scams are constant problems. Avoid after dark.

This is where you'll see the main sights - Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace are all walking distance from each other. During the day it's manageable with tourist police around, but expect constant pressure from carpet sellers and tour guides. The Grand Bazaar is an experience but also exhausting - vendors will follow you and won't take no for an answer easily. After sunset, the area completely changes. Tourist police go home, street lighting is terrible on side streets, and harassment gets much worse. The tram stops are pickpocket central, so keep your bag in front and zipped. If you're staying here, plan to be back at your hotel by early evening unless you're comfortable dealing with persistent attention.