City: Istanbul
Top Things to do in Istanbul
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Things to do in Istanbul, Turkey: The Best Sights & Landmarks
The mosques, bazaars, and Turkish baths of Istanbul could keep you happily occupied for your entire trip: an eyeful of breathtaking architecture here, a good-natured haggle over a carpet there. Kick your trip off at the awe-inspiring Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), which is visible from many points of the city. Stroll the Galata Bridge and stop by the Miniaturk Park to see its tiny artifacts. The Grand Bazaar has thousands of shops to browse, while the Egyptian Bazaar is a fragrant trove of spices and fruits.
Restaurants in Istanbul
1. Historic Areas of Istanbul
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10,677 reviews
Reviewed By titizel - Istanbul, Turkey
While you are visiting İstanbul, there are landmarks to visit. Sultan Ahmet Area, Blue Mosque, Galata Tower, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace and Dolmabahçe Palace. That are most populer places. But I advise you to add Maiden Tower and take a Bosphorus Tour.
2. Serefiye Sarnici
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 272 reviews
Reviewed By luke265
Super nice and well maintained, Most importantly its free and way fewer visitors compared to the famous Basilica Cistern,
3. Blue Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34,581 reviews
Built between 1609-1616, this impressive mosque has six minarets. Why is it called "Blue Mosque?" There are two stories: the first, more common one is that the interior is covered in Blue İznik tiles. The second is: many years ago, ancient sailors who sailed by the mosque on the Marmara Sea saw the blue colors of the sea reflected in the mosque.
Reviewed By TravelApopediatravel - Istanbul, Turkey
Blue mosque was built in the 1616 such a easy date to remember! It was built by architect Sefefkar Mehmet Agha who was the student of master architect Sinan who built around 400 buildings including Süleymaniye Mosque. So literally Architect Sinan is like Michelangelo of the Ottomans built Süleymaniye a true master piece and His student so student of Michelangelo has built Blue mosque and wanted to rival Hagia Sophia in terms of architecture. Hagia Sophia also inspired all the world but it was not constructed by Ottomans but by Romans so Ottomans always wanted to built amazing works, imperial mosques to surpass the Hagia Sophia so master Architect Sinan built Süleymaniye Mosque which is the biggest in İstanbul but it was not enough so after Architect Sinan died his student became the master Architect and built Blue mosque as the most beautiful work just infront of Hagia Sophia to rival it and decorated it with the best,highest quality blue tiles so that it was called as Blue mosque and has a great Architecture, perfect symmetry and harmony!!! Definitely Must see place!! But at the moment there is restoration you can just see a part of it!!!
4. Eyup Sultan Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,832 reviews
This mosque stands outside the city walls at the location where Hz Eyyubu El-Ensari, a noted Islamic individual, died in the assault on Constantinople in 670 AD.
Reviewed By istanbul455 - Ettalong Beach, Australia
A truly Tranquil garden, I actually visit this garden on all my visits, it’s on the route to the Bazzar up from all the local attractions, like blue mosque and Aya Sophia .
5. Hagia Sophia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43,620 reviews
This architectural marvel displays 30 million gold tiles throughout its interior, and a wide, flat dome which was a bold engineering feat at the time it was constructed in the 6th century.
Reviewed By AnLily
The Hagia Sophia Church-turned Mosque deserves a second look. Often, you need to look up & behind (at the exit and corner of upstairs former chapel) to spot the beauty that Islamic conquerors forgot or ignored in stripping its decor. Sadly, they plastered over the pure gold & silver Byzantine mosaics, which are only palely visible now. (The glowing ceiling and radiant upper walls of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem shows what the Hagia Sophia once would have looked like by brilliant candlelight inside.) The Byzantine influence of the Hagia Sophia is great; its architecture was copied by Ottomans and can be seen at the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet) in Istanbul and in Cairo (“Blue Mosque” as well) at the Fortress governed by Mohamed Ali. Aside from the similarities, including windows and dome at the succeeding blue mosques, differences to the mosque-cathedrals revised by North African Caliphates in Cordoba also astound visitors. Whereas the archways and simplicity of Spanish architecture on the conquered Iberian peninsula resemble ancient Egyptian Coptic churches, the Hagia Sophia has an intricacy that dimly appears after centuries of contest. You miss the most impressive views by not taking the ancient Roman uneven ramp to the upper gallery (with jewellery stand!); it closes early and is only accessible until approximately 6 p.m. Beyond the Empress Lodge upstairs is the 6th century marble door, behind which is a handrail with 9th c. Viking graffiti. On the arches above are mosaic stars of David flanking emblems of crosses. If you proceed to the far wall and look back there’s an impressive Byzantine image of Jesus retained in gold. However, the marble was largely damaged by Ottomans and the statuary looted by Crusaders and Venetians. A portion of the mosaics (6-13 c) are being uncovered from behind imposing scaffolding. This Hagia Sophia beside Sultanahmet in Iznik (Nicaea) was built during the reign of Emperor Theodosius and burned in the fire of Nika Revolt (532 AD) before being rebuilt. It was the site of the 7th ecumenical Church council in 787 CE (the first was also held there in 325 CE). It became strictly used as a mosque from 1331 under order of Orhan Gazi and modified with medallions or script of Koran inspiration by the architect Mimar Sinan. The remains of a 1,600-year old Byzantine basilica, St. Neophytos, is nearby--preserved as a museum under Iznik Lake as an inspiration of the original Hagia Sophia cathedral. In 1453 Mahmud II made severe changes to Hagia Sophia, the ancient base of the Orthodox Church, when he forced out the local Ecumenical faithful and hung the Greek patriarch George V—as well as executing the leading Orthodox bishops. Subsequent Muslim renovations continued 1847-49 during Abdulmecit’s reign. The Hagia Sophia was reconstituted as Museum under secularized state control after Ataturk ascended to power in postwar Turkey. General admission to the museum costs 60 TL/person. The ticket office accepts visa, as does the gift- and coffee shop. You can purchase a 5-day pass for 185 TL to save 169 TL on other attractions as well. Headsets are limited and available only for large groups. The last daily entry time is 6 p.m, and snack counters sell expensive refreshments outside the public washrooms (wood huts) on the museum grounds. If you have time and cash-only, the Basilica cistern is kitty corner to the Hagia Sophia entrance across the street /tram tracks. Combining these venues and/or the Blue Mosque nearby can be simply enjoyed with or without a guide. Tourist pamphlets in multiple languages are oddly placed beside the exit gates, not at the front of the former church and basilica.
6. Basilica Cistern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31,242 reviews
The Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns beneath the city that provided a water filtration system for the buildings nearby. This underground chamber measures approximately 138 meters (453 ft) by 64.6 meters (212 ft) and is capable of holding 80,000 cubic meters (2,800,000 cu ft) of water. The ceiling is supported by 336 marble columns.
Reviewed By IvanaM2363
Truly interesting place and if you're there during a hot summer, this is a great place to visit, because it's cool and you get break from the heat :) I loved the dark atmosphere. It was magical. The head of Medusa was also lovely. There are still fish swimming around and that makes it even more interesting. If you have great guides like I had my Turkish friends, who told me so much about the history, etc., you will love every little place in Turkey :) When in Basilica Cistern, please be careful, it is slippery, but on the other hand, you're sightseeing so you most probably will not be running around :)
7. Sultanahmet District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,447 reviews
The old section of Istanbul where you can find many attractions including Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque.
Reviewed By ColinMc1951 - Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom
This area is the location of the most historic places and buildings in Istanbul. And all within walking distance of each other - the Blue Mosque, Aya Sophia, Topkapi Palace and a number of Sultans tombs (found at the side of Aya Sophia and entrance is free). The area has nice gardens to sit and rest and look around at the beauty of the buildings. It is truly an amazing area to explore. I have visited many times and consider Istanbul to be a safe place for tourists.
8. Dolmabahce Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,833 reviews
This palace was built in the mid 1800s to replace an earlier structure that was made of wood. The new palace incorporated sixteen separate buildings with stables, a flour mill and a clock tower among them.
Reviewed By muratm660 - Fethiye, Turkey
In order to visit Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı) you must take one or both of the guided tours. The Selamlık tour takes you through the quarters reserved for men, while the Harem tour shows you the apartments of the sultan’s family. Only a limited amount of people are allowed into each section per day, so make sure to check out the opening hours. If you only want to go on one tour, visit the Selamlık. I have used Fizytur Ultra vip minibus to void İstanbul's traffic trouble and enjoyed with my netflix, minibar and silence.
9. Rumeli Fortress
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 864 reviews
This three-towered fortress was built in 1452 on the Bosphorus to protect the narrow waterway from advancing ships.
Reviewed By shellbee44 - Istanbul, Turkey
This site is definitely worth visiting! Located right on the water with views of Faith Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü bridge, this fortress stands out amongst the surrounding modern architecture. We spent about 1 hour walking around the inside. Cool views from inside the fortress looking out at the water (can see in attached photos). Also lovely to see from outside the fortress!
10. Ortakoy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,786 reviews
This charming neighborhood of renovated old buildings is home to many restaurants, shops and artist galleries.
Reviewed By SpotBoy
You can never tire of the mosques in the city, and the one in Ortakoy is special, located on the water, it glistens as the sun starts to set. Some lovely markets to pick up gifts, souvenirs, trinkets etc, but the star attraction are the fantastic waffles, piled with as many toppings as you can handle, and the really enthusuastic sellers... Then take your waffles (or savoury potatoes if you fancy) and enjoy them under the Bosphorus Bridge!
