Istanbul
Top Tourist Attractions

This beautiful museum in Istanbul was once a Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal cathedral and an Ottoman imperial mosque before it became a home for the artifacts and remnants of the rich history and culture of this Turkish city. Its massive dome is its most notable feature, and it collapsed twice before it stood tall and proud in all its glory.Aya Sofya is a magnificent creation from the outside but wait until you get inside. Marble doors, columns made of Thessalian stone, intricate mosaics, ... Read More

If Greece has the blue domes of Santorini, Turkey has the blue tiles of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. Thus, the name. More importantly, however, it is the tomb of Sultan Ahmed, it's builder and founder, which is why it is also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.What makes the tiles so special is the fact that they were hand-painted, making it a landmark every local would boast about. At night, lights frame the five main domes of the mosques, bathing the entire structure in blue. If you want to witn... Read More

Every tourist attraction has a story to tell, but nothing quite as colorful as that of the Topkapi Palace. It's where everything exciting and thrilling happened during the times of sultans. Intrigue doesn't begin to describe it, and the palace's Harem will definitely fascinate you to no end.This opulent structure has been around since the 15th century and served as a home to many sultans for 400 years. Today, it is a museum that houses treasures from the Ottoman empire.Like many palaces, it has ... Read More

With 4,000 shops spread over 30,700 square meters, the Grand Bazaar is where you can literally shop until you drop. It's a paradise for the consummate shopper and a wonderland for people looking to bring home souvenirs from Istanbul. A trip to one of the world's largest and oldest covered bazaars is an adventure you should not pass up.Shopping here takes a bit of planning too, making it a shopping trip unlike any other. The bazaar has 22 entrances, with each one leading to specific items before ... Read More

At ground level, Istanbul is a magical wonderland filled with architecture and attractions that are steep in history and culture. Underneath it, however, is another world that you should explore.Beneath the city is several hundred of ancient cisterns, the largest of which is the 6th-century Basilica Cistern that was built during Emperor Justinian I's reign. It is called as such because of the basilica that used to stand where the cistern is located.It is home to 336 columns, 98 of which bears th... Read More

Want to travel from Asia to Europe and back just aboard a ferry? This is exactly what you can do at the Bosporus Strait. Connecting the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea, this strategic waterway separates the European and Asian side of Istanbul.Now you see how you can travel between two continents in a matter of minutes. What is even better is that you have the option to cross the strait via any of the three suspension bridges that connect Asia and Europe.The first bridge is the Bosporus Bridge, t... Read More

One of the most glamorous and magnificent palaces in the world, Dolmabahçe Palace used to be the administrative center of the Ottoman empire and was the residence of the last Ottoman sultan. It is also the largest palace in Turkey.Built in the 19th century, the palace has 285 rooms, 68 toilets, 44 halls, and 6 Turkish baths. Gold leaves decorate its ceilings, 14 tons of gold to be exact. And the crystal chandelier that hangs from it was a gift by Queen Victoria of England.But that's not t... Read More

Galata Kulesi in the local language, the Galata Tower is one of Istanbul's highest and oldest towers. You know what that means. Up top, you get a panoramic view of the old town and as far as the eye can see.Did you know that the first flying Turk jumped from the tower and flew over the Bosporus strait?The date was 17th century Ottoman Empire when Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi studied air flow and copied the wings of birds to pull off his stunt. He landed at the Uskudar district of Istanbul's Asian side.... Read More

When in Istanbul, you're mostly surrounded by history and culture. But not if you go to Taksim Square.Known as a modern city center, this is where you'll find hotels, restaurants, movie theaters, bars, night clubs, and other amenities typical of a modern world. It's always busy for almost 24 hours a day with a crowd of young people.Like the Time Square in New York, it is also a place where people meet to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Public concerts, parades, and other shows are also held in t... Read More

One of Istanbul's biggest mosques, Süleymaniye Mosque is built on top of the third hill of the seven hills in the city. It's hard to miss over the Golden Horn, Bosporus’ primary inlet.Its architecture and size are awe-inspiring. It is considered one of the masterpieces of the legendary architect Mimar Sinan. The mosque is the epitome of an impressive design with an emphasis on space and light. Four buttresses are incorporated into the walls of the building, creating that open and airy... Read More