Best Attractions in Istanbul, According to Insiders

Gokce Nacar

Sep 30 669 read

Best Attractions in Istanbul, According to Insiders

With this pick-and-choose guide to Istanbul's best sites, you can strike a balance between touring and immersing yourself in the city.

It may be difficult to decide how to spend your time in a city like Istanbul, which has a population of nearly 14 million people. It is critical to strike the appropriate balance between touring and learning about a city's cultural offers and activities. This book presents Istanbul's most significant attractions, allowing you to pick and select which ones appeal to you the most. That way, you'll have plenty of time to explore other attractions, such as eating at restaurants, cafés, and pubs, meeting people, and immersing yourself in Turkish culture.

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace is Turkey's biggest palace and served as the Ottoman Sultans' main home. Over 4000 sultans and military officials lived here with their families throughout the empire. Many holy Islamic artifacts are on display inside the walls, as well as comprehensive exhibits and a museum. You can discover everything about this country's love of coffee at their current exhibition, "A drop of Pleasure: 500 Years of Turkish Coffee," which runs through June 15.

Basilica Cistern

Step inside the Basilica Cistern, also known as the Sunken Palace, and be awestruck by the enormity of this subterranean realm under Istanbul. The entryway, which is adjacent to Hagia Sophia, is extremely small. When you enter the rooms, you'll see towering ceilings and nearly 300 beautiful pillars. Visitors are attracted to the cistern's two Medusa heads and the mystery surrounding their meaning. There are also wishing ponds and fish down here.

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia, built between 532 and 7 AD, was the world's biggest Orthodox Cathedral until 1520. For almost 900 years, it was a church, and for 400 years, it was an imperial mosque. Ataturk, Turkey's first President, turned it into a museum in 1935, and it remains a significant icon for both Muslims and Christians. The ceiling and walls are adorned with magnificent mosaics, including the renowned seraphim, a six-winged angel, and the Deesis mosaic. A tour here will see Viking runic graffiti, a wishing column, five Ottoman Sultan tombs, and Queen Sofia's tomb. Keep an eye out for Gli, the friendly local cat who enjoys cuddling with guests.

Galata Tower

The medieval Galata Tower, said to be one of Istanbul's oldest, is a prominent landmark of the Galata skyline. It is said that in the 17th century, an early flyer, Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi, flew from here across the Bosphorus using artificial gliding wings, a trip of almost six kilometers. Climb to the observation deck (51 meters) to take in 3600 panoramic views and relive the journey.

Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar must be experienced firsthand. It is one of the world's oldest covered marketplaces, as well as one of the biggest. Over 60 tiny alleys, steeped in antiquity, provide over 5,000 shops, hammams, a mosque, as well as cafés and eateries. Inside, you may taste local products and buy furniture, antiques, ancient coins, jewelry, decorations, watches, textiles, and other items. This fantastic market draws between 250,000 and 400,000 people.

Bonus: Hammams

Taking a Turkish bath is a must-do while visiting Turkey. Cemberlitas Bath and Cagaloglu Hammam, both situated in the Old Town, are regarded as two of the finest in the nation. Discover the therapeutic benefits of these historic hammams by selecting from a variety of bathing choices and treatment packages.