Top Sites to See in Istanbul

Gokce Nacar

Oct 14 923 read

Top Sites to See in Istanbul

History enthusiasts and culture hunters might spend weeks seeing Istanbul's magnificent places of worship and palaces. The Fatih neighborhood has the most attractions, although areas like Beyoglu (home to Taksim Square) and Besiktas (home to Ortaköy and Dolmabahçe Palace) are also fascinating. The Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Museum are must-sees, but just walking down the street and watching the locals go about their everyday lives is as interesting. Because food is such an important aspect of culture, menus should be examined just as carefully as a map (which is also a must). When searching for gifts, you should visit the numerous bazaars throughout town, but if you only have time for one, make it the biggest and most famous: the Grand Bazaar.

Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar is one of the world's largest and oldest covered retail marketplaces, located within walking distance of must-see attractions such as the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, and the Süleymaniye Mosque. Its 60 streets of 5,000+ stores, each accompanied by an enthusiastic seller, frequently overwhelm tourists. Restaurants, cafés, and even two hammams (or Turkish baths) may be found here, with products ranging from carpets and clothes to paintings and chessboards.

Despite the bazaar's vastness and bustle, customers say you'll feel oddly at home with the market's pace, due in part to the sellers' politeness, who are far from aggressive. However, keep in mind that Westerners are often charged higher prices for goods in this country, so be prepared to haggle. When a client refuses to pay full price, most businesses will reduce their prices by up to 50%. Furthermore, while most merchants accept credit cards, extra discounts are often offered to individuals who pay with cash.

Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia Museum attracts a large number of visitors because to its beautiful architecture, breathtaking interior vistas, and historical importance. The structure was built between 532 and 537 and served as a church for almost a thousand years. From 1453 until 1935, it was a mosque before becoming the secular museum that it is today.

The Hagia Sophia, formerly the world's largest church, is considered the pinnacle of Byzantine architecture. Some tourists believe the structure represents Istanbul's diverse past, with stunning Christian mosaics and dazzling Islamic calligraphy. Others just call it a "must-see" destination. However, others warn that the property's outside is undergoing repairs at the moment, so scaffolding may show in your pictures. Another disadvantage is the lengthy queues to enter.

Suleymaniye Mosque

Süleymaniye Mosque, located between the Golden Horn, Istanbul University, and the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul's ancient Fatih district, is one of the city's most magnificent Ottoman mosques. Süleyman I commissioned this magnificent building, which was built between 1550 and 1557 and includes numerous gardens, a massive dome, and high-end embellishments like mother-of-pearl window shutters, painted corbels, traditional ceramic tiles, and stained-glass windows.

This mosque has been characterized as "wonderful" and "calm" by recent visitors, who also noted that it is equally as beautiful as the Blue Mosque and should not be missed. Furthermore, since this site is not as well-known as others such as the Hagia Sophia Museum, you will not have to share the space with a large number of visitors. However, keep in mind that, like other religious buildings in the neighborhood, Süleymaniye Mosque conducts six daily prayer sessions, so anticipate closures and dress modestly. If you fail to bring long trousers or a scarf to cover your head, you may borrow one at the mosque's entrance.