Istanbul is a place for people who enjoy culture and history. The city offers a wide variety of landmarks that were built centuries ago. If Europe travel has been your dream, then you must visit Istanbul.
Wondering what to do in Istanbul? Below is a list of the best, most popular places to visit in Istanbul:
The Topkapı Palace
One of the most impressive sights of Istanbul attractions is Topkapı Palace. This Ottoman palace served as a home and office for sultans and their families from the 15th to the 19th centuries and has been decorated and furnished with exceptional luxury and splendour. The palace also contains many works of art from Islamic civilisations.
The Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern is an ancient cistern built in the 6th century initially constructed to store water. It also served as a dungeon, torture chamber, and execution site during the Byzantine era. Today it’s one of the city’s most exotic landmarks and serves as a museum.
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia, meaning Holy Wisdom in Greek, is one of the most famous churches in Istanbul. It was built during the era of the Byzantine and served as an Orthodox patriarchal cathedral. Today it is a museum that showcases ancient architecture with stone walls and six massive dome crowns placed on round drums.
The Blue Mosque
One of the most visited and famous mosques in Istanbul is the Blue Mosque. It’s so named because of its six minarets outlined by blue tiles. This mosque was built during the Ottoman era, and it has an impressive interior with beautiful domes that reach up to 52 meters high. The highlight of this mosque is its Iznik tiles that display a variety of colours and floral patterns.
The Bosphorus
The Bosphorus is one of the unique neighbourhoods in Istanbul, known for its natural beauty and fresh air. There is plenty to see here! The impressive DolmabahƧe Palace to Maiden’s Tower was built during the Byzantine era.
The Golden Horn
This beautiful part of Istanbul is located west of the Bosphorus and has beautiful views. Although there isn’t much in this area to see or do, it’s worth mentioning because you can get a great view of the city in all its beauty during sunset hours. The best place for watching sunsets at Golden Horn is the Galata Bridge, or you can head onto the shoreline.
The Grand Bazaar
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is undoubtedly one of the must-see attractions in Istanbul. The bazaar was built during the Byzantine era, and it has over 4000 shops that sell many different things. From handmade carpets to leather coats, you can be sure to find them here.
The Spice Bazaar
Also known as Egyptian Bazaar, or simply the Spice Market, this bazaar was built in the 17th century, and it’s one of the oldest markets in Istanbul. You will want to check this one out for spices and various types of dried fruits, nuts, and other products.
The Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
Also known as the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, this museum is one of the best places to see in Istanbul. The place is divided into two sections. The first section holds more than 2200 works of art from the Prehistoric, Byzantine, Armenian, Roman, Hellenistic periods through the Ottoman era. At the same time, the second section contains collections from ethnographic museums and the Pergamon Museum, which was in Berlin until 2003.
The Archaeological Museum
Istanbul has a lot to offer for those who enjoy history. There is a museum with an impressive collection of artefacts from civilisations worldwide, such as the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilisations.
Conclusion
When it comes to exploring Istanbul’s famous places, the first thing to do is book the best accommodation. The place offers the best hotels ranging from luxury to budget options. Book your hotel using an online portal and kickstart your Europe travel experience.
