11 THINGS TO DO IN ISTANBUL
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1. Visit Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia [Holy Wisdom] is a 1400 years-old heritage that served as a Orthodox cathedral of Constantinople, Roman Catholic Cathedral under the Latin Empire, Imperial Mosque during Ottoman Empire and finally due to its great history as a world heritage became the most visited museum of historic peninsula in Istanbul. Apart from being a temple of two religions Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest example of Byzantine Architecture with its particular dome and marble pillars and great mosaics.
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| Hagia Sophia Interior Dome [image source: http://inspirationseek.com/] |
Once you enter you will see that the view of the dome and lots of different mosaics are breath taking but after you discover the main floor don´t forget to go to upper gallery to see a preserved grafitti from 9th century and the contuniuation of mosaics.
Comenius Mosaic
2. Visit Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace was one of the major residences of Ottoman Sultans for 400 year and a home to almost 4000 people. Topkapi Palace is 5 minutes far by walking from Hagia Sophia in historic peninsula. When you enter from the Imperial gate you ll wall through a beautiful garden which is known as the first courtyard.[You can buy your tickets in here] Once you pass through the second gate you will arrive the second courtyard where you can see : imperial carriages, palace kitchens, imperial treasury, dormitories, tower of justice and lots of other interesting details that can open the mysterious world of Ottoman Emperors for you.
3. Visit Sultan Ahmet Mosque / Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmet Mosque is also known as Blue Mosque because of its blue tiles in the interior walls.It was built between 1609 -1616 in the time if Sultan Ahmet I. The mosque has 5 main domes, 8 secondary domes and 6 minarets.2000 handmade Iznik tiles that lines the interior of the mosque is worth to see. Blue Mosque is also located walking distance from Hagia Sophia so you can visit this 3 heritage at the same day.
4.Visit The Maiden's Tower
The Maiden's Tower, also known as Leander's Tower since the medieval Byzantine period, is a tower lying on a small islet located at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus strait 200 m from the coast of Üsküdar in Istanbul, Turkey. You can arrive the tower with the boats living from Uskudar every 10 minutes.When you climb through the stairs you can read lots of different legends has been told for years about the tower and once you arrive the top you can enjoy the bosphorus view from another perspective. If you are interested to spend more time here you can make dinner reservation for the night before arriving.
5.Boshphorus Tour
Since Istanbul is famous for its bosphorus I highly recommend you to take one of the bosphorus tours. The tour is taking around an hour and leting you see lots of mansions both at the asian and european side of and historical silhouette of Istanbul.
6.Istiklal Avenue
Istiklal Avenue is the most famous street of Istanbul visited over 3million people every day for its otantic shops, historical buildings from lots of different style,restaurants and vivid night life.The 1.4 street starts with Taksim Square and ends with Tunel Square. I suggest you to walk to enjoy the street better however historic tramway is another option to visit.
7.French Street
French Street is the perfect way to spend a good night where you can have dinner and enjoy live music in various restaurants.The texture of the street is giving you a warm feeling the moment you arrive with colourfull houses and little terraces of the restourants at both side of the stairs.
8.Turkish Coffee
Since you are in Turkey dont´t go back without trying Turkish Coffee. It is always better to try in a local coffee shop. To give a quick tip; more bublles = better coffee
9.Iskender
As you know there is lots of traditional kebap in Turkey but in my opinion between all of those the best is Iskender. So don´t forget to save one meal to taste this delicious dish.
10.Baklava
The last but not least! Baklava is a traditional Turkish desert and a very good way to spoil yourself after lunch if I were you I would also have a pack on the way home.
11. Grand Bazaar
If you are interested in having some traditional items for yourself and the loved ones on the way back home. Grand Bazaar[Kapali Carsi] is the best option for you. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shops.
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