Istanbul. Best places to visit in Istanbul

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1 Istanbul Istanbul, historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople, is the largest city in Turkey and fourth largest city proper in the world with a population of 12.8 million, also making it the second largest metropolitan area in Europe by population, and the largest metropolitan city proper. Istanbul is the cultural, economic, and financial centre of Turkey. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and encompasses the natural harbour known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) sides of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents. Throughout its long history, Istanbul has acquired a reputation for being a cultural and ethnic melting pot. As a result, there are many historical mosques, churches, synagogues, palaces, castles and towers to visit in the city. Some of these historical structures, which draw millions to the city every year, reflect the heart and soul of Istanbul. Best places to visit in Istanbul Istanbul's top sights are clustered around Sultanahmet area and it is recommended to visit them in the following order, if you are going to spend only one or two days in Istanbul: Topkapi Palace (seen above at dusk) was the first Ottoman palace to be built ( ) in the newly conquered capital of the Ottoman Empire.Unlike the European palaces, Topkapi is not a single monumental structure but a more organic complex made up of various kiosks, gardens and areas spread over the historical peninsula. Open every day except Tuesdays, between 9 am and 6 pm (4 pm in winter.) To visit the Harem and the Treasury, you need to buy separate tickets. You are not allowed to visit the Harem on your own. There are guided tours in English every 30 minutes. To avoid long lines, go to the Harem first, before it gets crowded. You can count 2-3 hours to visit the palace. Hagia Sophia, the ancient Byzantine church, meaning the Divine Wisdom, was built between AD, later converted to a mosque with the addition of minarets in mid-15th century.this mustto-see museum, in which you see both Christian and Islamic art, is one of the most impressive sights in Istanbul.

2 Open every day except Monday, between 9 am and 4 pm. Make sure to visit the upper galery where you can see the most beautiful mosaics from the Byzantine era. One hour will be enough to visit Hagia Sophia. You can count 1/2 hour to visit Blue Mosque. Blue Mosque, built in 17th century, across from Haghia Sophia, is famous for the beautiful blue tile work ornamenting its walls. Its surrounding six slim minarets distinguish it from other mosques which normally have two or four minarets. It's a working mosque, so it's closed to visitors for a half hour after each call to prayer. It could be interesting to visit the mosque after dark, at night. Visitors are not allowed to enter the mosque with shorts and skirts. Byzantine Hippodrome was the centre of the Constantinople's social life. Huge amounts were bet on chariot races, and the whole city was divided between fans of the Blue and Green chariot racing teams. Frequently rivalry between Blues and Greens became mingled with political or religious factions, and riots which sometimes amounted to civil wars broke out in the city between them. Only the middle part of the Hippodrome (spina) and some walls survived today. To raise the image of his new capital, Constantine and his successors brought works of art from all over the empire to adorn it. Among these was the Tripod of Plataea, cast to celebrate the victory of the Greeks over the Persians during the Persian Wars in the 5th century BC. Constantine ordered the Tripod to be moved from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, and set in middle of the Hippodrome. Most of it was destroyed or stolen when the city was sacked during the Fourth Crusade. All that remains today is part of the base, known as the "Serpentine Column". Some other monuments decorating Byzantine Hippodrome are: 3500-year-old Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius (brought to Constantinople by Emperor Theodosius in 390 AD), The stone core of another obelisk, built by the Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus in 10th century.(it was originally covered with bronze plaques. But these were stolen during the Fourth Crusade, in1204) An octagonal domed fountain donated to the Ottoman Empire by the German Emperor Wilhelm II in 1898 sits at the entrance to the Hippodrome area. You can visit the sights at the Byzantine Hippodrome in 1/2 hour.

3 Yerebatan Cistern (Cistern Basilica) is a Byzantine cistern from the 6th century. It features fine brick vaulting supported by 336 various type of columns. There are also two Medusa friezes brought from the Temple of Apollo in Didyma (Today's Didim) Open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. It can be visited in 1/2 hour. Covered Bazaar (Grand Bazaar) built in the 15th century as a complex of 3,000 shops selling raw materials to be used in clothes manufacturing, still fulfills a viable commercial function today. Grand Bazaar' s fine shops and exotic atmosphere, mingling the ancient and new, make it a "must-see" in Istanbul. It's divided into many sections such as leather, rugs, souvenirs, copper, antiques, textile etc. There are 18 gates and 60 streets inside. Open every day except sunday, between 9 am and 6:30 pm You can visit the bazaar in one hour. If you plan to shop, you will definitely need more time. You can go to a Turkish bath (Hammam) in the evening. There are two old and well-known Turkish baths in Sultanahmet : Cemberlitas Hamami and Cagaloglu Hamami. Since they are open until midnight, we do not recommend you to spend your time in the hammam, during the day.

4 Other Highlights of Istanbul Bosphorus Strait is unique to Istanbul and one should not miss it! It is the 32 km (20 miles) long strait between Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, separating Europe and Asia. The best way to enjoy Boshorus Strait is by boat. We recommend you to take the public boat, leaving from Eminonu, everyday at 10:30 am. You are better off going on this cruise during the week, if you can.on weekends boats get quite crowded. The trip takes approximately one and a half hour, from Eminonu to the last stop, Anadolu Kavagi, which is a small village near the Black Sea end of Bosphorus. The first boat ( 10:30 am boat ) leaves from there at 2:00 pm. ( The others at 3 pm and 5 pm.) There are fish restaurants where you can have your lunch. After lunch, you can have a walk to the ruins of a Genoise castle, from where you can see the Black Sea. However, you can get off at Yenikoy, the first stop on the European side, after you pass the second Bosphorus bridge. You can take a taxi southward stopping at different places along the way. For example, if you are interested in paintings and calligraphy, do not miss Sabanci Museum, in Emirgan. You can stop by in RumeliHisar to have your lunch. RumeliHisar Iskele Fish Restaurant would be a good option. It is an old small ferry dock, restored as a restaurant...you can have a table on the wooden pier and enjoy the Bosphorus breeze in hot summer days, while you have your sea food. After you have your lunch, you can visit the Ottoman Castle built in preparation for the siege of Istanbul,by Mehmet the Conqueror, in ( closed on wednesday ) Then, walk to Bebek, which is another small town near Bosphorus. You can also consider having your lunch in Bebek, where there are many fish restaurants. Ortakoy is also a cosy neighborhood worth visiting, near the first bridge. Istiklal Street is one of the most popular streets of Istanbul, reserved for pedestrians. It is the heart of Beyoglu, being once the newer, more European part of Istanbul. Today, it is lined with boutiques, movie theatres, consulates, restaurants, book&music stores.

5 Suleymaniye Camii ( Mosque of Soliman ) is an outstanding piece of architecture, built in the 16th century by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, for Sultan Soliman the Magnificient. It is the largest mosque of Istanbul with four minarets. Dolmabahce Palace was built on Bosphorus shore in European style and when it was finished in 1856, the Ottoman imperial family moved out of medieval Topkapi Palace to live in Dolmabahce Palace. It housed Sultans and their families before the Republic, and it was then used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk during his visits to Istanbul. Atatürk died here on the 10th of November, The palace now serves as a museum. Chora Church is an ancient Byzantine church, originally built in the 4th century, later converted into a mosque in the 15th century AD. Today, it is a must-to-see museum with the most beautiful mosaics in Istanbul. (closed on wednesday) The Archeological Museum is in the first court of Topkapi Palace. It is an award-winning museum, holding outstanding collections of artifacts and works of art that belong to ancient Greek, Roman and other Anatolian civilizations dating back to the 6th century BC. The Sarcophagus of Alexander the Great and ancient pieces found in the Sidon excavation are among its most interesting pieces. Also you shouldn't miss the "Istanbul Throughout the Centuries" section... Open daily between 9:30-5:00 p.m. except Mondays. The Turkish & Islamic Arts Museum houses a fine collection of art and ethnography in the lovely setting of Ibrahim Pasa Palace in the old Hippodrome area. Open daily between 9:30-5:00 p.m. except Mondays. The Great Palace Mosaics Museum consists of the remains of the Great Palace of the Byzantine Empire built by Constantine the Great ( ). It is very close to Sari Konak.. Open daily between 9:00-5:30 p.m. except Tuesdays Istanbul Modern is the first private museum devoted to modern and contemporary art in Turkey. Located beside the Bosphorus, the museum brings together the Istanbul cityscape with the production of arts ranging from painting,sculpture and photography to video and new media. Museum hours are Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-18:00. Closed Mondays, on January 1st and on the first day of religious holidays. To get more information about the current exhibitions and events, you can visit The Pera Museum, which opened its doors in early June 2005, is the first step of a comprehensive cultural endeavor that the Suna and Inan Kiraç Foundation has launched at this distinguished venue in the city for the purpose of providing cultural service on a variety of levels.

6 Visiting hours are Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-19:00, Sunday 12:00-18:00. Closed Mondays, on January 1st and on the first day of religious holidays. To get more information about the current exhibitions and events, you can visit Military Museum would be interesting to visit. The Mehter band ( the Jannissary Band ) holds concerts there between and on the days when the museum is open to visitors. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays Beylerbeyi Palace was built as a royal palace in the mid-19th century on the Asian side of the Bosphorus and served as the summer residence of the sultans. Many important guests, such as French Empress Eugenie, Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph, Persian Shah Nasireddin were received in this palace. Open every day between 9:00 am - 5:00 p.m. except Mondays & Thursdays Galata Tower is a 55 meter long tower providing a panoramic view of the old town. It was built by the Genoese as part of the wall surrounding their district of Galata directly opposite Byzantium (Constantinopolis) and used for the surveillance of the Harbor in the Golden Horn. After the conquest of Constantinople by Mehmet II it served to detect fires in the city. There is a narrow balcony all around the tower and we would suggest to go upstairs to enjoy the view. Especially in the evening, around sunset. Spice Bazaar, built in the 17th century, is the second largest covered bazaar in Istanbul. Spice Bazaar, also called Egyptian Market, continues to fulfill its original function. It is filled by many shops selling spices, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, cheese and honey. The Bazaar is closed on sundays. You can stroll in the market, as well as in its surroundings... Rustem Pasha Mosque, built by the famous architect Sinan, is worth visiting with its beautiful tiles, as well as Yeni Camii (the New Mosque).