The Kariye district is located in the European part of Istanbul, near a section of the Theodosian Walls and the neighborhoods of old Constantinople. This is a historic part of the city, where the old street layout is still noticeable, and monuments from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods can be found alongside residential buildings.

The main point of interest here is Kariye Mosque, formerly the Church of Chora. The building is especially famous for its mosaics and frescoes from the late Byzantine period, which are among the most important examples of this art in Istanbul. It is precisely because of this monument that the district is most often included in routes through the western part of the historic center.

The district itself is interesting not only for a single monument, but also for its urban environment. Here you can see a calmer, less formal Istanbul: narrow streets, residential buildings from different periods, and traces of the city's layered history. Some of the buildings look modest and in places are in need of restoration, but this helps to better imagine how the old quarters changed outside the main tourist axes.

Kariye is suitable for those who have already seen the main sights of central Istanbul and want to get acquainted with less well-known historic districts. A trip here can easily be combined with viewing the city walls, nearby mosques, and a walk through the neighborhoods of Fatih.