City: Sirkeci
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Top 10 Sights & Landmarks in Sirkeci, Turkey
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. Mihrimah Sultan Camii
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 380 reviews
Noted for its interesting construction and exceptionally high dome, this mosque was built in 1557 for the daughter of a Sultan.
Reviewed By Ivankuntara - Jakarta, Indonesia
Must visited mosque in Istanbul, to see the architect of Islam and the beautiful of Bosphorus Straits. You may see "beautiful" of the acoustic and air circulation technology here
3. Rustem Pasha Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,215 reviews
One of the smaller mosques in the city, it was built by Rustem Pasa in 1561 and is noted for the very fine tiles covering the interior and exterior walls.
Reviewed By ferdab_11 - Nanaimo, Canada
A bit tricky to find but worth it! From Yenikapi tram station, head towards the front entrance Egyptian bazar or Spice Market. Don't enter. Stay outside and follow the right hand side (if you are facing the entrance) of the market OUTSIDE past cheese vendors and etc. Continue on until you see (and smell the coffee) Mehmet Efendi Kurukahveci. Pass the coffee shop and turn right down the street before Mehmet Efendi's. Walk straight down for 5 minutes and the mosque will be on the right. You'll turn right to find the entrance I think. It is another masterpiece from Mimar Sinan, the celebrated Turkish architect. The combination of red carpets and the turquoise tiles is breathtakingly beautiful and because it is in a smaller scale than his other mosques, the impact is intensified. Remember women to dress modestly and bring a scarf to cover your head. There's no shortage of beautiful scarves around to buy if need be. This whole area is full of treasures if you are willing to look. I recommend having lunch at Saray Muhallebicisi back towards Yeni Cami. They are very good.
4. Yeni Camii
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,195 reviews
This mosque was positioned on a hill overlooking the harbor at Eminonu. Today, the local pigeons make their home in its graceful domes and arches.
5. Fatih Mosque and Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 697 reviews
Named for the Ottoman conqueror of Istanbul, this mosque was part of a large religious complex atop one of the city's many hills. Among the other original buildings in the complex were a school, library and hospital.
Reviewed By doofvfood
Was gutted when I realised we would miss the Wednesday market near the mosque which the guidebook mentioned. It's a bit further out but worth a visit. On first sight of the mosque, the marble square is really impressive and the interior of the mosque is beautiful. Was interested to learn the architect for the original mosque was not Mimar Sinan but Atik Sinan. The present mosque was rebuilt in 1700s after an earthquake destroyed the original. It was a good view from the women's area in the terrace. Istanbul has no shortage of stunning mosques & Fatih is one of the best we have visited. A visit is definitely recommended.
6. Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 151 reviews
This l6th-century mosque, built on the slope of a hill near Sultanahmet, is one of the most beautiful examples of classical Turkish architecture in the city. Of special interest are the prayer niches and pulpit, which are covered in lovely Iznik tiles.
Reviewed By jayyen93 - Dublin, Ireland
Amazingly, despite being so close to perhaps Istanbul's most popular mosque - the Blue Mosque, this mosque is on the other hand oft-ignored. However, I would argue that Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque is more significant architecturally and historically! The Blue Mosque was designed by the pupil of the master architect Mimar Sinan, who was the designer of this mosque. Although lacking the grandeur of the Blue Mosque, SMP Mosque is nonetheless a masterpiece that reveals Mimar Sinan's perfected skills and trumps even his own famous works like Suleimaniye Mosque! For instance, take a look at the courtyard. Ottoman mosques were designed as a complex to include buildings of various functions like school and hospital, and SMP was no exception. However, while almost every other mosques have these buildings separated and disjointed, all the buildings in SMP were seamlessly integrated by Sinan. The result is a fully functional and harmonious complex! Literally on top of this architectural harmony is the multi-cupola that is an iconic Ottoman mosque element, although on this mosque, the multiple cupolas were designed to complement one another in a harmonious splendor almost as a single multifaceted cupola without the excessive extravagance or redundancy in the works from Sinan's pupils. Long story short, SMP is truly a masterpiece that is worth the (very short) detour from the main tourist path and may be even more worthy to see than the more famous mosques in Istanbul! I highly recommend seeing this beautiful mosque, especially before this becomes an open secret like Rustem Pasa Mosque.
7. Beyoglu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,140 reviews
This neighborhood in the modern section of the city is home to many foreign consulates, and is popular for its restaurants and nightlife.
Reviewed By RicardoR511 - Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil
There are many historical places in Istanbul but Beyoglu is where you should stay. Choose a hotel or hostel in this area ( they are cheaper ) and everytime you go out the door you will be in the most lively streets of Istanbul. Plenty of shopping malls, restaurantys, pubs, those stores selling those delicious turkish candies ( also cheaper in this district ). Beyoglu is where we want to stay.
8. Balat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 348 reviews
This neighborhood of Istanbul was once known as the Jewish quarter of the city. Today you can still find many synagogues here, as well as a more diverse group of residents.
Reviewed By RamonaGuide - Paris, France
Balat with Öner, licensed Tour Guide I had a great half day tour in Balat, the Fatih district that used to be the traditional Jewish quarter of Istanbul, with a private guide. Balat is considered conservative, but it is full of colour, and even though it was and still is a poor area of the city, today it is a tourist attraction, due to its atmosphere. Cute narrow and cobbled streets, typical houses, small art galleries cafes, restaurants and shops with souvenirs, this is Balat ! I visited the area many years ago and I wanted to see it again. And with Öner it was really different. I enjoyed every moment! He showed me the renovated old Imperial Palace and the former Byzantine churches of Fanar. When I saw the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus years ago (a late 13th-century Byzantine structure called Tekfur Sarayi today), it was just a ruin. They did a good job regarding the restoration, as good as could be done with the few remains, after so many centuries. Öner was a great guide! I even visited a church closed to the public due to his connections. In the winding, tangled alleys of Fanar/Balat, it is really good to go with a local. Öner is a patient person, very attentive and very kind. I highly recommend him and his tour in Balat. Thank you Öner for such a wonderful day!
9. Kucuk Ayasofya Camii (Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,152 reviews
While Istanbul is known for its large mosques like Hagia Sophia, the smaller ones tend to be well worth a visit as well since they are just as beautiful in their own right. Küçük Ayasofya Camii, also known as Little Hagia Sophia (LHS), is one such mosque. The building was originally built as an Eastern Orthodox church and was converted to a mosque during the Ottoman Empire it remains a mosque today. LHS was built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian early in his reign. Some believe it was built to be a model for Hagia Sophia, hence the name Little Hagia Sophia. The building is located in a quiet neighbourhood in the district of Fatih. It actually isn’t too far of a walk from Sultanahmet. In fact, it is only about a 15-20 minute walk from the Blue Mosque/Hagia Sophia area so people really have no excuse not to go see it.
Reviewed By apricot44 - Turkey, null
Little Hagia Sophia Mosque- martyr Sergius and Bacchus Church According to legend, two Roman soldiers, Sergius and Bacchus, were captured by the enemy around the Resafa (Rusafa) fortress on the banks of the Euphrates River in Syria; The first bacchus is killed, Sergius taken prisoner, and the Bacchus spirit tells him not to give up his beliefs (Christian). In the end, Sergius is beheaded, and the legend has been told by all Roman and Byzantine soldiers for centuries. 2 soldiers were declared heroes. It is known that 2 Roman soldiers were 2 officers in the period of Maximianus. 2 to be a tribute to the Roman military hero tare Church (Event, Romans and Sassanids Near Dara in modern Turkey's southeast in a battle in AD 530 / Mardin / Tare is the ancient city) victories. Justinian lived between 518-527 in the Hormisdas Palace, where the church is located. During the Eastern Roman Empire, the church was part of a palace complex and large reception halls used by the imperial palace. Some of the mosaics in the church are known to be victims of Iconoclasm. It is known that Justinianus' wife Theodora hosted and owned some monophysite priests here. While preparing to kill Anastasius I with his uncle Justin I, he was caught and sentenced to death. However, the emperor Anastasius saw two heroic soldiers in his dream and gave up execution. Some sources say that because of this incident, Justinian I built the church in the name of two saint soldiers. Thousands died when the great black plague started in 543. Thanks to the money the emperor donated to the church, the priests of the church saved many lives.
10. KIz Kulesi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,074 reviews
According to Turkish legend, a princess was locked in this tower to protect her from being bitten by a snake. Over the years the tower has been used as a customs station, lighthouse and a residence for retired naval officers.
Reviewed By Wozdemir - Waterford, Ireland
I really cant praise this place enough... we went with slight trepidation due to the some of the scathing reviews on here.. but we need not have worried.. the food was fantastic and to a very high standard.. tasty well prepared dishes bursting with flavour... we were a group of 4 who all chose from the superior menu and every dish we had was excellent. The trip out from and back to Kabataş pier takes about 15 mins on a small private boat and is included in the price . Staff were courteous professional and friendly from beginning to end. The location is original, historical and has amazing views of Istanbul... the trip up to the watchtower at the top is worth the small climb.. there is a lovely bar and seating area in the tower to enough a drink and admire the view
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