Significant Historical Sites of Istanbul
Istanbul lies on European and Asian side of Bosphorus and is home to approximatelz 17 million people. Sounds incredible, right?! This is real treasury of different cultures and religions that all mix in tolerance and joi de vivre in this amazing city. Istanbul present amazing combination of modern and ancient, Western and Eastern, and at the same time it gives chance to everyone and stretches hand wide to welcome you in most friendly manner possible.
Istanbul is touching point of two worlds, significant sea passage and port, place where two continents meet (Europe and Asia) and is gathering point of tradesmen from all over the world.
Istanbul brings together in delicate way both old and new, East and West, and with all western achievements and latest fashion visible on streets, there is still preservation of "Orient" in its iconic form.
Your sighstseeing in Istanbul you can start among cultural-historic monuments on Sultan Ahmet square. What you can not miss are tours of Basilica that looks like magical underwater palace where mermaids live. Then there are also unavodiable Hippodrome, Aya Sophia and Blue Mosque.
Hippodrome was center of city activities during Roman period, place where carriage races were held. There are three pillars on Hippodrome: Teodosius Obelisk (Dikilitas), Snake pillar (Burmali Sutun) and Constantine VII pillar (Kolosus).
One of must-see places is Topkapi Palace where you will leaqrn everything about Ottoman empire and life of sultants, as this has been home to numerous sultans, Ottoman rulers, since 15th century. It has been reconstructed and upgraded several times since, and today it holds some of most valued relicts of islamic culture: robe and sward of Muhamed Prophet. Palace in one period was home of several thousand people, and had numerous objects of different purpose (sultan quarters, common quarters, hospital, large kitchen quarters, harem, etc). One of interesting sites in palace is fountain that symbolizes course of human life.
You can make a break and rest in one of numerous cafes on the square in front of the mosques, or even better, in Aya Sophia park, that looks magical with all its greenery and fountain.
Galata Tower is another magnificent site and one of most visited sites on Istanbul sightseeing tours. One can definitely not miss it as it rises over entrance to newer part of the city, northern from Golden Horn. First version of this Tower was built back on the beginning of 6th century and had function of lighthouse. History says that during one period it served as dungeon, and today it is sightseeing spot and restaurant (with reservation). It is interesting that first men who ever flew was Hezeraf Ahmet Celebi, and he jumped from Galata Tower (and with wooden wings!) and flew to Uskudar, on Asian side of Istanbul. Ticket for Galata Tower costs 10 turkish lira.
You can drink wake-up coffee in cafe with probably most beautiful sights in Istanbul, called "Pierre Lotti". Its location is amazing and you will definitely need lot of snapshots to capture amazing sight under your feet. So take hot baggel from seller, drink coffee and smile widely while taking pictures. This is unique opportunity to see entire city and Golden Horn under you.
Istanbul is divided with water on three separate parts. Bosphorus strait divides Istanbul on European and Asian part, while Golden Horn Channel cuts through European part. This is exactly where the most beautiful; part of Istanbul is located: Sultan Ahmet square, located south from Golden Horn Channel. This is great starting point for sightseeing of most significant historical sites of Istanbul.
Aya Sophia was formerly orthodox church, built during Byzantine empire, that Ottomans after taking over city turned into mosque. They added minarets, painted over frescoes and wrote quotes from Kuran over the wakks, Aya Sophia is magnificently large. With Republican Decree from 1920s, Aya Sophia was turned into museum.
Blue Mosque is located right across Aya Sophia on the same square. It is actually called Sultan Ahmed Mosque, after sultan who ordered its building, but people call it Blue mosque because of number of blue tiles used in its decoration. It is impressive object, large as Aya Sophia, but with six minarets.Religious service is still held here, so choose carefully when to visit it, and dress appropriately. This means that if you are woman you should cover hair and shoulders, and wear long skirt. Also, you will have to take of your shoes while entering it.
Dolmabahche Palace was last residence of Ottoman sultans, lavishly decorated palace with ornaments made of marble and gold. After Ottoman empire fall, this was residence of Turkish president Kemal Pasha Ataturk. It is interesting because it has separate female and male quarters-women were not allowed to be present during receptions, but watched events through windows located so they could see what is happening in large halls.
Cisterna Bazilica (Yerebatan Sarayi or Yerebatan Sarnici, i.e. Sunken Palace or Sunken Cistern) is largest of several hundred undercity cisterns. This is underground chamber supported with strong pillars. It was underground water tank to provide city water supply. It was built in 6th century and looks incredible thanks to its sheer size, with 336 pillars. One of these pillars has Medusa head turned upside down, which was supposedly there both for decoration and for protection from evil spirits.
Historic-archological Museum is amazing site of history of region and to thoroughly look through it, you will need at least one day. It holds significant relicts of all important historic periods: earliest ancient times, egyptian kingdom, hellenic culture, byzantine and long period of Ottoman empire. Supposedly, this museum also holds sarcophagus of Alexander the Great. In museum is large chain that was used to cover entrance to Golden Horn channel.
Next interesting sightseeing location is part of city called Eminonu. You can pass next to Gulhan park and exit to Bosphorus. This part of city is very colorful and probably pictures Istanbul image in a best way. When you reach Bosphorus you can walk little bit back along the shore and reach Sirkeci Station, one of interesting sightseeing sites of Istanbul, which is last station of famous Orient Express, that connected Paris and Istanbul. If you continue walking along tram line, you will come to Galata Bridge, which is one of central traffic locations so it feels and looks like beehive. In front of bridge is large plateau that is dominated by New Mosque, one of most beautiful mosque in Istanbul.
Lower level of Galata bridge is covered with restaurants, in which you should definitely try ekmek or fish doner, one of Istanbul specialities, that is fresh caught fish in warm bread with lots of gravy and costs 4 turkish lira.
When you cross Galata Bridge you will enter Beyoglu, most European part of city. First destination there is most famouas Istanbul street Istiklal Caddesi. Route from bridge to this street is very steep, so it is better to take a ride (the best option is underground metro called Tunnel. This is second oldest subway in Europe, built by french in 19th century, and it has just one station). As soon as you go over Galata Bridge, cross street diagonally and you will come to Tunnel station. Price of ticket is 2,5 lira and you will reach Tunnel square in few minutes. That is beginning of Istiklal street, central walking area of the citz. Street goes for 3,5 kilometers and ends on most famous city square called Taksim. You can walk in one direction to see all the sites and then come back with nostalgic tram that has stations along entire street. This street and entire district is filled with cafes and restaurants, sou you can take a break whenever you feel tired.
Feel free to wonder of the street to neighbouring ones, because they also have some interesting sites, like for example hotel Pera Palace, first European type hotel in Istanbul, where passengers of Orient Express usually stayed.
Grand Bazaar is site that will bring you back 300 years as long as you step there. This is great market where you can find anything: clothes made of leather and fur, hand/made carpets, gold jewelry, turkish desserts, beautiful scarfs, souvenirs from wood and semiprecious stones, nargillas... Turkish tradesmen are very cheerful and in mood to bargain for price, so never accept their first offer. For them, setting price is something like a game, so feel free to take part in it, with respect of just one important rule: bargain only if you plan to buy their goods. Otherwise you will make seller mad, if you bargain and then in the end leave. In other words, f you entered the store and are ready to purchase, then bargain over price, but don't do that if you have entered the store just to look around.
Salesmen on Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar will give their best to get your attention and offer you their goods. You will enjoy looking colorful goods, and if you love good food make sure to thoroughly look throug Spice Bazaar where you will surely spend lots of money on any kind of spice you can imagine-you can find any world spice here, without a doubt. You will surely not be able to resist turkish delights, especially ratluk, ethnic dessert that is prepared in thousand varieties. Your smell will enjoz in aromas of tea, spices, kana..and all the sellers will offer you their tea and ratluk. Shops with sweet treats are treasuries of endless colorful display of candz with amazing combination of tastes and colors, not just ratluk but other ethnic desserts.
After exhausting shopping, you will have to decide where to go for a lunch. Amazing number of restaurants will put big dilemma in front of you. Don't forget, this is city with 27 districts. One of our first recommendations would be to stop dolmus and tell driver to take you to Dogatepe restaurant. You will not regret this choice. Restaurant is located on hill above Bosphorus and from amazingly decorated terace you will have breathtaking overview of entire Istanbul and Bosphorus. Restaurant menu is rich in local specialities that you can enjoy in at very affordable price, considering that this is really great restaurant.
If you love city rush, then tell your driver to take you to Taksim square. Walking from there by colorful windows of shops and numerous other walkers you will arrive to Flower Passage where there are number of restaurants one next to other. This Passage is particularly beautiful because there is countless display of all kinds of flowers displayed from restaurant ceilings, lamps are lit in windows, which all gives impression of some hidden royal mansion.
After you enjoy in great, spicy meal, you can continue your sightseeing of Istanbul streets. If you love scent of sea, old myths and beautiful panorama view, it is great to take a boat ride to Princess island that holds many secrets from old times.
Beshiktas District will display you number of old buildings, beautiful hotells and sturdy gates.
Then you will arrive to Ortakoy and after you pass numerous cafes you will arrive to amazing mosque, with beautiful architecture that seems like its rising from water.
After taking pictures and enjoying on one of benches you can sit in one of local cafes and try national drink yeni raki, while enjoying endless panorama of Istanbul. Sunset here is almost epic and it is impossible to describe it in words.
From Ortakoy you can walk to Bebek. Architecture of Arnavutakoy street is amazing, and with small ships and larger yachts tied to Bebek docks it will seem like you have entered paradise. While walking there you will enjoy in sea breeze and screams of gulls looking for food. Time for dinner will come fast, and after you eat you should go to one of night clubs to round-up your good time in Istanbul.
For dinner, we shall suggest Gelik restaurant that has two separate parts: one for preparation and serving of meat dishes, and other for fish foods. Entire ambience of this restaurant is amazing and leaves an impression of large wooden shack with modern interior.
If you want to feel true national atmosphere and cuisine, you should visit Ziya restuant, and if you like almost family atmosphere you should go to Pasha restaurant. You will not make a mistake with visit to Kosova restaurant that offers large choice of specialities, and you can choose to dine under stars in their garden.
Another choice must be made after dinner. You can choose cruise over Bosphorus that will show you night lights of Istanbul and city at it's greatest, or you can choose to visit one of eminent night clubs such as Sortie or Reina. Hell, why not go to both?
While taking Bosphorus cruise, you will see Galata Bridge, Rumeli Hisari Fortress... and program on the boat will also get your attention, because ride is usually accompanied with belly dancer program and ethno music.
Show you shouldn't miss while in Istanbul is Sufi music and whirling dervishes show. You can see this show over and over again, it will charm you every time with its mysticism and melodic beauty.
You will meet end of day in Istanbul fallin in sweet sleep in one of numerous Istanbul hotels. There are so many of them and it is hard to recommend just one. Whichever you choose, you will surely get one of Istanbul traditional qualities: hospitality and courteous attention.
Istanbul is touching point of two worlds, significant sea passage and port, place where two continents meet (Europe and Asia) and is gathering point of tradesmen from all over the world.
Istanbul brings together in delicate way both old and new, East and West, and with all western achievements and latest fashion visible on streets, there is still preservation of "Orient" in its iconic form.
Your sighstseeing in Istanbul you can start among cultural-historic monuments on Sultan Ahmet square. What you can not miss are tours of Basilica that looks like magical underwater palace where mermaids live. Then there are also unavodiable Hippodrome, Aya Sophia and Blue Mosque.
Hippodrome was center of city activities during Roman period, place where carriage races were held. There are three pillars on Hippodrome: Teodosius Obelisk (Dikilitas), Snake pillar (Burmali Sutun) and Constantine VII pillar (Kolosus).
One of must-see places is Topkapi Palace where you will leaqrn everything about Ottoman empire and life of sultants, as this has been home to numerous sultans, Ottoman rulers, since 15th century. It has been reconstructed and upgraded several times since, and today it holds some of most valued relicts of islamic culture: robe and sward of Muhamed Prophet. Palace in one period was home of several thousand people, and had numerous objects of different purpose (sultan quarters, common quarters, hospital, large kitchen quarters, harem, etc). One of interesting sites in palace is fountain that symbolizes course of human life.
You can make a break and rest in one of numerous cafes on the square in front of the mosques, or even better, in Aya Sophia park, that looks magical with all its greenery and fountain.
Galata Tower is another magnificent site and one of most visited sites on Istanbul sightseeing tours. One can definitely not miss it as it rises over entrance to newer part of the city, northern from Golden Horn. First version of this Tower was built back on the beginning of 6th century and had function of lighthouse. History says that during one period it served as dungeon, and today it is sightseeing spot and restaurant (with reservation). It is interesting that first men who ever flew was Hezeraf Ahmet Celebi, and he jumped from Galata Tower (and with wooden wings!) and flew to Uskudar, on Asian side of Istanbul. Ticket for Galata Tower costs 10 turkish lira.
You can drink wake-up coffee in cafe with probably most beautiful sights in Istanbul, called "Pierre Lotti". Its location is amazing and you will definitely need lot of snapshots to capture amazing sight under your feet. So take hot baggel from seller, drink coffee and smile widely while taking pictures. This is unique opportunity to see entire city and Golden Horn under you.
Istanbul is divided with water on three separate parts. Bosphorus strait divides Istanbul on European and Asian part, while Golden Horn Channel cuts through European part. This is exactly where the most beautiful; part of Istanbul is located: Sultan Ahmet square, located south from Golden Horn Channel. This is great starting point for sightseeing of most significant historical sites of Istanbul.
Aya Sophia was formerly orthodox church, built during Byzantine empire, that Ottomans after taking over city turned into mosque. They added minarets, painted over frescoes and wrote quotes from Kuran over the wakks, Aya Sophia is magnificently large. With Republican Decree from 1920s, Aya Sophia was turned into museum.
Blue Mosque is located right across Aya Sophia on the same square. It is actually called Sultan Ahmed Mosque, after sultan who ordered its building, but people call it Blue mosque because of number of blue tiles used in its decoration. It is impressive object, large as Aya Sophia, but with six minarets.Religious service is still held here, so choose carefully when to visit it, and dress appropriately. This means that if you are woman you should cover hair and shoulders, and wear long skirt. Also, you will have to take of your shoes while entering it.
Dolmabahche Palace was last residence of Ottoman sultans, lavishly decorated palace with ornaments made of marble and gold. After Ottoman empire fall, this was residence of Turkish president Kemal Pasha Ataturk. It is interesting because it has separate female and male quarters-women were not allowed to be present during receptions, but watched events through windows located so they could see what is happening in large halls.
Cisterna Bazilica (Yerebatan Sarayi or Yerebatan Sarnici, i.e. Sunken Palace or Sunken Cistern) is largest of several hundred undercity cisterns. This is underground chamber supported with strong pillars. It was underground water tank to provide city water supply. It was built in 6th century and looks incredible thanks to its sheer size, with 336 pillars. One of these pillars has Medusa head turned upside down, which was supposedly there both for decoration and for protection from evil spirits.
Historic-archological Museum is amazing site of history of region and to thoroughly look through it, you will need at least one day. It holds significant relicts of all important historic periods: earliest ancient times, egyptian kingdom, hellenic culture, byzantine and long period of Ottoman empire. Supposedly, this museum also holds sarcophagus of Alexander the Great. In museum is large chain that was used to cover entrance to Golden Horn channel.
Next interesting sightseeing location is part of city called Eminonu. You can pass next to Gulhan park and exit to Bosphorus. This part of city is very colorful and probably pictures Istanbul image in a best way. When you reach Bosphorus you can walk little bit back along the shore and reach Sirkeci Station, one of interesting sightseeing sites of Istanbul, which is last station of famous Orient Express, that connected Paris and Istanbul. If you continue walking along tram line, you will come to Galata Bridge, which is one of central traffic locations so it feels and looks like beehive. In front of bridge is large plateau that is dominated by New Mosque, one of most beautiful mosque in Istanbul.
Lower level of Galata bridge is covered with restaurants, in which you should definitely try ekmek or fish doner, one of Istanbul specialities, that is fresh caught fish in warm bread with lots of gravy and costs 4 turkish lira.
When you cross Galata Bridge you will enter Beyoglu, most European part of city. First destination there is most famouas Istanbul street Istiklal Caddesi. Route from bridge to this street is very steep, so it is better to take a ride (the best option is underground metro called Tunnel. This is second oldest subway in Europe, built by french in 19th century, and it has just one station). As soon as you go over Galata Bridge, cross street diagonally and you will come to Tunnel station. Price of ticket is 2,5 lira and you will reach Tunnel square in few minutes. That is beginning of Istiklal street, central walking area of the citz. Street goes for 3,5 kilometers and ends on most famous city square called Taksim. You can walk in one direction to see all the sites and then come back with nostalgic tram that has stations along entire street. This street and entire district is filled with cafes and restaurants, sou you can take a break whenever you feel tired.
Feel free to wonder of the street to neighbouring ones, because they also have some interesting sites, like for example hotel Pera Palace, first European type hotel in Istanbul, where passengers of Orient Express usually stayed.
Grand Bazaar is site that will bring you back 300 years as long as you step there. This is great market where you can find anything: clothes made of leather and fur, hand/made carpets, gold jewelry, turkish desserts, beautiful scarfs, souvenirs from wood and semiprecious stones, nargillas... Turkish tradesmen are very cheerful and in mood to bargain for price, so never accept their first offer. For them, setting price is something like a game, so feel free to take part in it, with respect of just one important rule: bargain only if you plan to buy their goods. Otherwise you will make seller mad, if you bargain and then in the end leave. In other words, f you entered the store and are ready to purchase, then bargain over price, but don't do that if you have entered the store just to look around.
Salesmen on Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar will give their best to get your attention and offer you their goods. You will enjoy looking colorful goods, and if you love good food make sure to thoroughly look throug Spice Bazaar where you will surely spend lots of money on any kind of spice you can imagine-you can find any world spice here, without a doubt. You will surely not be able to resist turkish delights, especially ratluk, ethnic dessert that is prepared in thousand varieties. Your smell will enjoz in aromas of tea, spices, kana..and all the sellers will offer you their tea and ratluk. Shops with sweet treats are treasuries of endless colorful display of candz with amazing combination of tastes and colors, not just ratluk but other ethnic desserts.
After exhausting shopping, you will have to decide where to go for a lunch. Amazing number of restaurants will put big dilemma in front of you. Don't forget, this is city with 27 districts. One of our first recommendations would be to stop dolmus and tell driver to take you to Dogatepe restaurant. You will not regret this choice. Restaurant is located on hill above Bosphorus and from amazingly decorated terace you will have breathtaking overview of entire Istanbul and Bosphorus. Restaurant menu is rich in local specialities that you can enjoy in at very affordable price, considering that this is really great restaurant.
If you love city rush, then tell your driver to take you to Taksim square. Walking from there by colorful windows of shops and numerous other walkers you will arrive to Flower Passage where there are number of restaurants one next to other. This Passage is particularly beautiful because there is countless display of all kinds of flowers displayed from restaurant ceilings, lamps are lit in windows, which all gives impression of some hidden royal mansion.
After you enjoy in great, spicy meal, you can continue your sightseeing of Istanbul streets. If you love scent of sea, old myths and beautiful panorama view, it is great to take a boat ride to Princess island that holds many secrets from old times.
Beshiktas District will display you number of old buildings, beautiful hotells and sturdy gates.
Then you will arrive to Ortakoy and after you pass numerous cafes you will arrive to amazing mosque, with beautiful architecture that seems like its rising from water.
After taking pictures and enjoying on one of benches you can sit in one of local cafes and try national drink yeni raki, while enjoying endless panorama of Istanbul. Sunset here is almost epic and it is impossible to describe it in words.
From Ortakoy you can walk to Bebek. Architecture of Arnavutakoy street is amazing, and with small ships and larger yachts tied to Bebek docks it will seem like you have entered paradise. While walking there you will enjoy in sea breeze and screams of gulls looking for food. Time for dinner will come fast, and after you eat you should go to one of night clubs to round-up your good time in Istanbul.
For dinner, we shall suggest Gelik restaurant that has two separate parts: one for preparation and serving of meat dishes, and other for fish foods. Entire ambience of this restaurant is amazing and leaves an impression of large wooden shack with modern interior.
If you want to feel true national atmosphere and cuisine, you should visit Ziya restuant, and if you like almost family atmosphere you should go to Pasha restaurant. You will not make a mistake with visit to Kosova restaurant that offers large choice of specialities, and you can choose to dine under stars in their garden.
Another choice must be made after dinner. You can choose cruise over Bosphorus that will show you night lights of Istanbul and city at it's greatest, or you can choose to visit one of eminent night clubs such as Sortie or Reina. Hell, why not go to both?
While taking Bosphorus cruise, you will see Galata Bridge, Rumeli Hisari Fortress... and program on the boat will also get your attention, because ride is usually accompanied with belly dancer program and ethno music.
Show you shouldn't miss while in Istanbul is Sufi music and whirling dervishes show. You can see this show over and over again, it will charm you every time with its mysticism and melodic beauty.
You will meet end of day in Istanbul fallin in sweet sleep in one of numerous Istanbul hotels. There are so many of them and it is hard to recommend just one. Whichever you choose, you will surely get one of Istanbul traditional qualities: hospitality and courteous attention.
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