City: Sirkeci
Top Things to do in Sirkeci
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What to do and see in Sirkeci, Turkey: The Best Things to do
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. Arif Yasa - Private Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 191 reviews
Authentic high quality private and small group tours focusing on history,culture and food in Istanbul and Turkey to experience real Turkey by experienced, qualified and enthusiastic tour guides and travel specialists. Arif Yasa has got 18 years experience of organizing and leading tours in Istanbul and all around Turkey.
2. Rahmi M. Koc Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,568 reviews
The Rahmi M Koç Museum is the first major museum in Turkey dedicated to the history of Transport, Industry and Communications. Housed in magnificent buildings - themselves prime examples of industrial archaeology - on the shore of the historic Golden Horn, the collection contains thousands of items from gramophone needles to full size ships and aircraft.
Reviewed By Da-ndy1989 - Guildford, United Kingdom
So pleased with visited this mostly transport museum which has so much more on display. Everything is beautifully presented and well kept in this old Shipyard and it's very easy to spend quite a few hours here for a very cheap entry fee. It's a MUST visit when in Istanbul but a little out of the way from the centre, there's also a delicious bakery nearby for lovely treats. We loved that you could enter the fantastic old airplanes. There's English translations too for a wealth of knowledge about most on display. Very educational and incredibly interesting.
3. 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.
4. Felicity Spa & Wellness
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 358 reviews
We service Turkish Bath, Oil massagges, Face Care treatments in our Spa. We are located in 4 Stars Askoç Hotel
Reviewed By Joannabajk
We never understood how our time was going in there. It's been a long time since I've had such a pleasant time. The staff is concerned and friendly. The massages and skin treatments were great. I loved the decrease in black spots after skincare, i decided to go once a week and relax both my skin and my body. If you want to go with your friends or spouse, I can definitely recommend it.
5. 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
6. 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.
7. Halic
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 790 reviews
This river separates the old and new sections of Istanbul. The commercial center of the city for 2000 years, many markets and the Chamber of Commerce still line its shores today.
Reviewed By Indiana_Jonesse - San Francisco, United States
Halic is a major waterway, the primary inlet of the Bosphorus of Istanbul. Here, there are many ships on the slip from private owners and tour operators. We docked and left the harbor, overlooking the different ports. There is a maiden tower that is very visible on the island that is a major icon along the waters. This is the main port go get to the Bosphorus boat tours.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
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