Top 10 Places To Visit in Istanbul

Istanbul is the only city in the world which is situated on two separate continents. It is located on both sides of the Bosphorus, which separates Asia and Europe and is, at the same time, the single passageway connecting the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea. The first settlement of the area was in the 7th century BC. In 627 BC Byzas, the commander of Megara, came from Greece and, settling strategically in what is now Sarayburnu, founded an important trade center, Byzantium. More »

Hagia Sophia

Typical examples of the unique qualities of Byzantine architecture arc found in Istanbul, the capital of ancient Byzantium. Architects, created a new style inspired by ancient nonuments.

Blue Mosque

One of the most famous monuments of the Turkish and Islamic world is the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, which enchants visitors of Istanbul. An example of classical Turkish art and architecture, it is the only mosque with six minarets. It is surrounded by two thousand year old historical monuments.

Topkapi Palace

After the conquest of Istanbul in 1453 Faith (the Conqueror) Sultan Ahmet moved the throne of the Ottoman Empire to this city. Me first palace he set up was in the middle of the city. The second was built in 1470 and has been called Topkapi Palace since recent history. Topkapi is a classical palace as all historical Turkish palaces are.

Grand Bazaar

This market place was built by Safiye Sultan, mother of Mehmet HI, in the year 166.3 as 0 part of the New Mosque which inclutled the mosque, shops, a till, two water kiosks, a hadith school and an elementary school.

Suleymaniye Mosque

The most impressive of the mosques which form the famous Istanbul silhouette is the mosque of Sfileymaniye. The well-proportioned and neat esthetics of its exterior and Only the three walls of the fountain's courtyard, the fountain, the crown doors, the mihrab, up to the first balcony of the minarets, and a part of the surrounding wall remain from the original construction.

Dolmabahce Palace

Until the 17th century the area where t the palace is today was one of the bays along the Bosphorus the legendary sailing vessel, ARGOS on which the Argonauts set off to find the Golden Fleece, anchored here.

The Cistern Basilica

One of the most marvelous historical structures of Istanbul is the Cistern Basilica, located at the southwest of St. Sophia. Built by Emperor Justinian (527-565) the seemingly countless columns rising from the water of this underground cistern have given it the name "Underground Palace." In the era of the "Young Rome," probably in the 3rd or 4th century, there was a big Basilica where the cistern is now, used as a trade and law center and for science and art projects.

Kariye, Chora Church

Some were made to protect Istanbul and some to protect the Bosphorus. Some were built as wartocks and some were built to fight. These castles, which have survived many bad events and even saw war, are all historical works. Historical castles of Istanbul are the subject of this article.

Istanbul Archaeological Museum

The Archeological Museum, under the jurisdiction of the Directorship of the Turkish Ministry of Culture, for Monuments, and Museums, is in the district of Sultanahmet, to the right of the entrance of Gulhane Park on Osman Hamdi Bey Yokusu, which leads to Topkapi Palace.

Galata Tower

The Galata Tower was constructed in 1384 on the highest point of the ramparts surrounding the Genoese colony, known as Galata. In the early times of the Ottomans, the tower was used by the Janissary corps. In the 16th century prisoners from the fleets were kept here.

Istanbul City Tour

Want to explore Byzantium and Ottoman Relics? We have designed a fully day Istanbul city tour, on which you can see highlights of Istanbul with a professional tour guide. Click to see Istanbul City Tour details.