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Chora Museum vs Sehzade Mehmet Mosque

Both are recommended by reviewers writing for major publications. On balance, Kariye Museum scores slightly better than Sehzade Mehmet Mosque. Kariye Museum ranks #10 in Istanbul with accolades from 6 reviews including Lonely Planet, Travel + Leisure and Concierge.

Chora Museum
Chora Museum
9 / 10
Kariye Camii Sokak,No:26 Edirnekapi, Istanbul 34087, Turkey
From $0 /night
Fodor's Fodor's
"The dazzling mosaics and frescoes in the former Church of the Holy Savior in Chora are considered to be among the finest Byzantine artworks in the world." Full review
Concierge Concierge
"Tucked away in a far corner of the Old City, just by the Edirnekapı gate, is the tiny Kariye Museum, also known as the Chora Church."
Lonely Planet Lonely Planet
Top Choice
"İstanbul has more than its fair share of Byzantine monuments, but few are as drop-dead gorgeous as the Chora Church." Full review
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
"This pumpkin-domed church-turned-museum is one of the great surviving jewels of Byzantine art and architecture." Full review
Let's Go Let's Go
"Chora Church requires some serious ceiling-gazing, cramp-in-the-neck-calming skills—you’ll find some of the most beautiful surviving Byzantine art on the domes above your head." Full review
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Sehzade Mehmet Mosque
Sehzade Mehmet Mosque
8 / 10
Sehzadebasi Cad., Vefa, Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey
From $0 /night
Fodor's Fodor's
"The medium-sized Şehzade Camii was built for Süleyman the Magnificent's eldest son, Prince Mehmet, who died of smallpox in 1543 at age 22." Full review
Lonely Planet Lonely Planet
Top Choice
"Süleyman the Magnificent built this mosque between 1543 and 1548 as a memorial to his son, Mehmet, who died of smallpox in 1543 at the age of 22." Full review
Michelin Guide Michelin Guide
3 Stars
"Perched on the third hill of Istanbul, the elegant silhouette of Suleyman's mosque rises gracefully towards the sky, via a magnificent profusion of domes." Full review
Frommer's Frommer's
"What was at the time considered a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture is now merely a footnote to Sinan's subsequent great works." Full review