İstanbul is Turkey's most developed and largest metropolis, where it’s impossible to stop discovering something new. It is the only city in the entire world that spreads across two continents – Asia and Europe. With an endless variety of sites of natural beauty, İstanbul is rich in architectural monuments reflecting its past splendour fascinating its visitors. The historic city of Istanbul is bordered by the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn on three sides. Istanbul holds the honour of being the imperial capital of three great empires, the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires for 1500 years. These are the places to visit in Istanbul during your trip.
1)HAGIA SOPHIA MUSEUM / CHURCH (AYASOFYA)
The Hagia Sophia, one of the most visited historical architectural wonder has an important place in the art world with its architecture, magnificence, size, and functionality. The Hagia Sophia is the biggest church built by the East Roman Empire in Istanbul and was considered a revolution in the history of architecture. It has been constructed three times in the same location. It was named Megale Ekklesia (Big Church) when built first; however, after the fifth century, it was referred to as the Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom). The present Hagia Sophia is the third construction, done in a different architectural elegance, even though it occupies the same location as the previous two. For nearly 916 years it was used as a church but, following the subjection of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmed, the Hagia Sophia was transformed into a mosque. Later, it was used as a mosque for 482 years. Under the command of Atatürk and the verdict of the Council of Ministers, Hagia Sophia was transformed into a museum in the year1935.
2) SULTAN AHMED MOSQUE
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior design, is a historical mosque in Istanbul. This breath-taking building is one of the most majestic Ottoman mosques in all of Turkey, built between 1609 and 1616 years, during the rule of Ahmed I. It comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasa and a hospice. The mosque leads Istanbul’s majestic skyline with its graceful arrangement of ascending domes and six slender soaring minarets. The change from classical tradition can be seen in the blend of new architectural and decorative features in the mosque’s building and also in its symbolic placement at the imperial centre of the city point. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque has become a big tourist attraction in Istanbul, besides still used as a mosque.
3)TOPKAPI PALACE
Topkapi Palace, a symbol of Istanbul city is grand, decadent and steeped in history. Topkapi Palace is the biggest and one of the most prominent sites, built-in between 1466 and 1478 by the Sultan Mehmet II. The palace is set on top of a hill in a small peninsula, dominating the Golden Horn to the north, the Sea of Marmara to the south, and the Bosphorus Strait to the northeast, with great views of the Asian side as well. It was the residence of the Ottoman Sultans, and also the administrative and educational centre of the state. Topkapi Palace Museum exhibits the imperial collections of the Ottoman Empire and conserves an extensive collection of books and manuscripts in its library.
4) SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE
Suleymaniye Mosque, better known as the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent. It was built in the 16th century by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Suleyman the Magnificient, also known as the Legislator. This is one of the largest mosques ever built in the Ottoman Empire, standing on a hilltop, dominating the Golden Horn and adding to the skyline of Istanbul. The Mosque has an enormous central dome that is pierced by 32 openings, hence giving the dome the effect of lightness while also amply illuminating the mosque’s interior. Apart from the place of worship, it comprises a vast social complex including four madrasahs, a large hospital and medical school, a kitchen-refectory, and baths, shops, and stables.
5) THE GRAND BAZAAR
The Grand Bazaar, one of the biggest and oldest covered markets in the world. This 554-year-old Grand Bazaar gives the world’s one of the most thrilling shopping experiences. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is high on most tourists’ itineraries and is more than just a sightseeing spot. First-time visitors to the Grand Bazaar will be astounded by its splendour and size. The bazaar is just like an enormous labyrinth with its vast area that contains 4400 authentic shops, 25000 full-time staff, and 61 covered streets, 18 gates that open to various points of the city, mosques, fountains, and 40 rest houses. Its high ceiling is covered with a dome that has hundreds of windows.
6) BOSPHORUS CRUISE
The Bosphorus Strait defines Istanbul. It is the divide between Europe and Asia, spanned by three awe-inspiring suspension bridges and linking the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. The Bosphorus waterway is a lively and busy commercial shipping route. The Bosphorus Straits are impressive and are the narrowest straits in the world that allow for major international transportation. Undoubtedly, a cruise on Bosphorus is the most overlooked tourist attraction to explore Istanbul nightlife. This cruise stops at locations along the Bosphorus, offering the chance to discover the palaces, mosques, and bridges of Istanbul.
7)GALATA TOWER
The Galata Tower is one of the highest and oldest towers in Istanbul. The 63-meter high tower, on a hill seeing the historical peninsula, provides a panoramic view of the old town. The tower was built in the 14th century by the Genoese colony. It was built as a part of the defence wall surrounding their district at Galata. During the Ottoman period, Galata Tower operated a jail, observatory house, and watchtower. In 1960 after the restorations took place, Galata Tower was commercialized and opened to the public. Currently, the tower functions as a 360-degree viewing platform of Istanbul, and the colourful lights of the tower can be seen at night from all over the city.
8) THE PRINCES’ ISLANDS
The Princes’ Islands are an archipelago in the Sea of Marmara, a small haven of peace, and a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands are spotted with extraordinary wooden country mansions, and full of aromatic tangerine and lemon trees, wisterias, pink magnolias, and yellow daffodils. The small-town ambiance has made these islands one of the favourite destinations. All motor vehicles are banned on the island, creating the islands an oasis of peace. The only sounds to hear are bicycle bells and the typical sounds of horse hoofs.
9) BASILICA CISTERN
Basilica Cistern, one of Istanbul's splendid historical buildings are located in the southwest of Hagia Sophia. This large underground cistern built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565) is filled with ancient wonders such as the Medusa Pillar Bases, and the Hen’s Eye Column. It is called as “Yerebatan Cistern” among the public because of the underground marble columns, and also as Basilica Cistern as there used to be a basilica in the place of the cistern. This cistern is 138 m in length and 64.6 m in width, covering an area of almost 1,000 square metres, and is capable of holding up to 80,000 cubic metres of water.
10) TURKISH BATHHOUSE
Visiting Istanbul is not complete without visiting one authentic, historic hamam, or bathhouse. Steaming, bathing, and rejuvenating massages in the hamams is the one ideal Turkish experience to have. It is an ancient feature that has survived centuries of modernized social norms. The experience is easily customized, whether just for a soak, steam, a massage, or all three. But the most remarkable part of this experience is the visuals, from massive marble slabs to towering columns and intricate, colourful, artistic details. The establishment of Turkish baths was generally because of commercial, cultural and religious reasons, and built-in the places that were heavily settled by the Ottoman Empire.
Visit all these beautiful places in Istanbul with our exciting tour packages. Check it out in our Website
