Location
Aya Sofya
Location
Built in 537AD, this monumental building has a tremendous history. Aya Sofya was originally intended to be a Christian church. Crowning of Byzantine emperors was taking place there until 1453, when the whole city of Constantinople fell under the Ottoman Empire. With its capital under Ottoman Turk, the Byzantine Empire fell apart. Constantinople became Istanbul and the Aya Sofya church had become a mosque. Almost five centuries later, in 1935, Turkish government led by Kemal Ataturk turned Aya Sofya into a museum, which today is one of the greatest monuments of the world’s civilization and is protected by UNESCO.
Topkapi Palace
Location
For almost 4 centuries, Torkapi Palace was the main headquarters of Ottoman emperors. The name Torkapi translates from Turkish as ‘Cannon Gate’. Its construction started in 1459, on the spot where the walls of Constantinople were destroyed by the Ottoman artillery five years before.
Grand Bazaar
Location
With estimated 400,000 visitors per day, the Grand Bazaar is one of the biggest covered markets in the world. It has 60 streets and more than 5,000 shops organized by categories. From tropical fruit, homemade souvenirs to designer clothing and fast food, the Grand Bazaar merchants have it. And it’s been like that for more than five centuries.
Blue Mosque
Location
The Sultan Ahmet Mosque is truly an impressive building. It has six minarets and its domes are placed to form a pyramidal structure. The ceramics used on the facade are blue, giving this building a nickname, the Blue Mosque. The inside of the mosque is rich with many works of art of famous artists from the Ottoman period.
Unlike Aya Sofya, the Blue Mosque is still used as a place of worship. Hundreds of believers come five times a day to pray in this mosque, so it’s closed for tourists during those periods. Also, being a holy place for Muslims, the dress codes are strict. Everyone must take their shoes off before entering the Blue Mosque and women should wear head coverings.
Galata Tower (views)
Location
On the top of the Galata hill raises the medieval tower, making the panoramic view of the Istanbul utterly impressive. The Galata tower is tall more than 60 meters and on its top is located a restaurant and a night club. As the Tower is built near the Bosporus canal, on the very border between Europe and Asia, the view from it gives you Istanbul from a 360° angle.
Bosporus Boat Tour
Location
Crossing the Bosporus canal means getting from one continent to another. This canal is the separator between Europe and Asia. The 31 kilometers long canal connects the Black and the Marmara Sea, cutting on its way right through the city of Istanbul. That is why sometimes the Bosporus canal is referred as the Istanbul Strait.
The ferry goes along the Bosporus every day at 10.35am. You can watch from the boat some of the most recognizable attractions of Istanbul. Torkapi Palace is on the waterfront, so you’ll have a unique opportunity to see it in its all beauty. With the guidance of ferry staff, you’ll find about some interesting stories from the city’s past.
Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami
Location
In the times of Suleiman the Magnificent, the Ottoman Empire extended to the Central Europe. With such wealth in their hands, the warlords from this period could afford extensive luxury.
Kilik means sword in Turkish and that was the nickname Ali Pasa earning in his military endeavors. In his honor, the greatest architect of the time Sinan, constructed these Turkish baths. Locals call this type of baths Hamami, so the name Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami stayed linked to this place forever.
Sultanahmet Buhara Kebab House
Location
Although the roots of kebab recipe reach to the Ancient times, the form we nowadays know and like was created by a Turkish cook. It would be a real shame coming to Istanbul and not tasting the meal the whole world is talking about.
The city is filled with hundreds of fast-food stands. It’s impossible to decide which one is the best, but one of our biggest favorites is Sultanahmet Buhara Kebab House. Located in the city center, but away from the crowds, this restaurant offers a pleasant atmosphere, chatty employees, and most importantly delicious food.
Leb-i Derya
Location
One of the top-rated restaurants in Istanbul is Leb-i Derya. Located on the rooftop in the Galata area of Istanbul, this place offers a wonderful outlook of the city. Panoramic view of the Old City and the Bosporus strain on one side and modern city center on the other make this restaurant one of the most visited, so sometimes reservation is needed.
The city view is not the only thing that attracts visitors to the Leb-i Derya. World-class chefs and pleasant decoration make this restaurant the favorite dining place of many tourists.
Kadirga Hamam
Location
Hamam is a type of baths, all around the world known as Turkish baths. During the Ottoman era, these were one of the most important parts of their culture. Nowadays, hamams remain an important part of social life in Turkey.
Kadirga Hamam is located in the very center of Istanbul, in the Sultanahmet area. It’s a perfect place for relaxing after long walks around the old city. Besides improving your mood, this type of sauna has all kinds of health benefits.
