Istanbul (Turkish: İstanbul) is Turkey’s most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both literally and figuratively. Istanbul’s population is variously estimated between 12 and 19 million people, making it also one of the largest cities in Europe.
Founded by Constantine the Great in 324 AD on the site of ancient Byzantium (going back to 650 BC), Istanbul was the capital, successively, of the Eastern Roman Empire (324-476), the Byzantine Empire (476-1453) and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922) – this almost unrivalled heritage, as well as its dynamic modern existence, makes Istanbul a fantastic destination for many travellers.
The European Side
There are many historical places in Istanbul.
Hagia Sofia
Inside Hagia SofiaHagia Sophia (Aya Sofya), Sultanahmet Square (by tram: Sultanahmet), 0212 5221750. Tu-Su 9:00AM-7:30PM. Dating from the sixth century, originally a basilica constructed for the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. A masterwork of Byzantine engineering, the huge 30 m diameter dome covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world. The basilica was looted in 1204 during the fourth Crusade, and became a mosque in the 15th century when the minarets were added. It was turned into a museum in 1930’s. Don’t miss the excellent mosaics, including those in the gallery, reached by a stone ramp to the left of the entrance. 10 YTL (no concessions, no cards accepted). NOTE: the inside is undergoing a major refurbishment and there is a huge amount of scaffolding in a gigantic tower going up to the top of the dome.
Topkapı Palace (Topkapı Sarayı), Bab-i Hümayün Caddesi (by tram: Gülhane/Sultanahmet), 0212 5120480. M,W-Su 9:00AM-5:00PM. The imperial enclave of the Ottoman emperors for three centuries. Lavishly decorated, with four courts of increasing grandeur. In the second court in the entrance to the Harem (admission extra, only by joining a guided tour) and the State Treasury, housing a weaponry display. The third court has the Imperial Treasury. Both Islamic and Christian relics, rugs, china. The views from the Fourth Court over the Bosphorus are spectacular. 10 YTL (no concessions, cards accepted, Harem 10 YTL extra).
Sultanahmet Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii, aka Blue Mosque), At Meydam Sokak 17, Sultanahmet (by tram: Sultanahmet), 0212 5181319. May-Oct 9:00AM-9:00PM, Nov-Apr:9:00AM-7:00PM. With its six minarets and sweeping architecture the Sultanahmet or ‘Blue’ Mosque impresses from the outside. Unlike Haghia Sophia, this is still a working mosque, entry is through the courtyard on the SW side. No shorts or bare shoulders (shawls are provided) and you will need to remove your footwear. Free.
Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici). Yerebatan Cad., Sultanahmet, [7]. It doesn’t sound like much, but this giant underground cistern built by Justinian in 532 to provide water to the city in cases of siege, and later consecrated as a basilica, is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Istanbul. A wooden walkway winds between the pillars, and lights and piped music add to the eerie atmosphere. Bring some type of fish food as you’ll see enormous fish swimming below your feet. 10 YTL (no concessions).
Hippodrome, adjacent to the Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. This was the center of Roman and Byzantine Constantinople, and is a great place to begin one’s tour and to people watch. The building no longer stands, but the obelisks and sculptures that have been collected here since Theodosius’ time in the fourth century remain.
Galata Tower from across the Golden HornGalata Whirling Dervish Hall (Galata Mevlevihanesi). Galipdede Caddesi (near Tünel’s Galata station). A dancing hall of the mystical Mevlevi order, shut down in 1925 along with all other ‘reactionary’ movements in Turkey. Today the building houses the Museum of Divan Literature, but the best time to come is Sundays between 3 to 5 pm when sema dervish ceremonies are staged. (Buy tickets in advance, as space is limited.) Also check out the small graveyard next door, where the carved fez perched upon the gravestone indicates the occupant’s rank in the dervish hierarchy.
Ortaköy. A shore line of the Bosphorus beside the Ortaköy mosque. This artsy neighborhood is filled with nice cafes and a perfect view crowded and fun.
The Museum of Archeology, Close to Sultanahmet, [8]. A must see! One of the best, including a great collection of Sumerian tablets, pieces of the wall of Babylon and Roman marble statues! Tickets stop being sold at 4PM. 5 YTL. edit
Museum of Modern Art, At Karaköy, [9]. 10AM-6PM, Thursday until 8PM, Closed Monday. A nice, organized museum with contemporary installations. Including a cafe with a top notch menu and view. 5 YTL (free on Thursday). edit
Dolmabahçe Palace. See the Ottoman Palace centered close to Taksim at the Dolmabahçe shore. Build on 110,000 meter square ground with 285 rooms and 43 halls where the Ottoman empire was administered in the last 150 years. Visits only in guided tours (45 min) in major spoken languages. Extra fee for Harem, the part of the palace the residents lived. Ask student reduction.
Galata Tower. Ride an elevator to the top, then walk the parapet for a 360 degree view of Istanbul, including the entire Sultanahmet peninsula: crowned by Topkapı Palace, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. A beautiful spot for using up a lot of film!
Chora Church, at Edirnekapı (open every day except Wednesday). A 1000 year old Byzantine church, with precious mosaic frescoes and a captivating mood inside. The early church frescoes had been covered with plaster for nearly 500 years, as the building had been converted to a mosque, but were uncovered in the mid-twentieth century and have been partially restored.
[edit] The Asian (Anatolian) Side
Beylerbeyi Palace
View of Istanbul from Camlica Hill, at nightBeylerbeyi Palace Lying under the legs of the Bosphorus Bridge, the palace was built between 1861-1865 by Sultan Abdulaziz. Guided tours in major spoken languages available.
Camlica Hill. One of the highest hills of Istanbul (268 metres high) and almost all major broadcasting antennas are located on this hill, since the hill dominates a great part of the city. On the top of the hill, a public park with cafes remind the visitors of an Ottoman atmosphere.
The Princes’ Islands. Located just to the southeast of Istanbul, and consists of 8 islands, Büyükada being the largest of them all. All motor vehicles used to be forbidden on the islands. Great place to get away from crowds and noise of the city. Enjoy swimming (water is not that clean though), old wooden villas that have mostly disappeared from other parts of Istanbul, and have a picnic in a scenic spot. Rent a bike or take a horse carriage route around Büyükada or Heybeliada. Büyükada is also the highest island among the others; its peak reaches to 202 metres (Yucetepe) where the ruins of a monastery remains. The rest of the islands are; Heybeliada, Burgazada, Kinaliada, Yassiada, Sivriada, Tavsan Adası and Yassiada. Büyükada and Heybeliada both have a limited range of hotels, some of which serve in a boutique style, preferred by many tourists but not spectacularly clean. Islands and ferries are crowded especially on weekends during summer months.
The Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi), [10]. A Tower in the Üsküdar coast where you can drink tea during day or dine (mid-expensive) inside the tower itself. There is also a tour that tells the legend of the maiden where the tower’s name comes from. edit