Are you going on vacation or city trip to Istanbul in Turkey? This metropolis should certainly not be missing on your bucket list. In this blog you will find the top 10 with places in Istanbul that you should definitely see!
1. Sultan Ahmed Mosque
Considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period, one Istanbul landmark that you shouldn’t miss out on is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles which adorn its interior walls. Incorporating Byzantine elements with traditional Islamic architecture, Its design is the culmination of two centuries of Ottoman mosque development. Regardless of your religious background, paying this place a visit will be a memorable experience. Other cities in Turkey with great Mosques are Ankara, Izmir and Antalya.
2. Hagia Sophia
If you are interested in Byzantine architecture, then make sure you don’t miss out on this, one of its greatest surviving examples, its interior being decorated with mosaics and marble pillars and coverings of great artistic value. Hagia Sophia was originally a Greek Orthodox patriarchal basilica, then an imperial mosque and is now a museum. When on a trip to Istanbul, a visit is warranted not just by its architectural beauty, but also by its atmosphere.
3. Topkapi Palace
The Topkapı Palace was, for roughly 400 years, the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans. It was also a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments. It still contains important holy relics of the Muslim world, including Mohammed’s cloak and sword. This magnificent Palace will make your family trip even more exciting and worthwhile, so make add it to your itinerary of must-visit places.
4. Grand Bazaar
Located inside the walled city of Istanbul, it is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Being one of the major landmarks of Istanbul, the Grand Bazaar provides a traditional shopping experience; make sure you add it to your list of must visit places.
5. Galata Tower
The Galata Tower is a nine storey medieval stone tower and is one of Istanbul’s most striking landmarks, It offers a panoramic vista of Istanbul’s historic peninsula and its environs and, when it was built, it was the city’s tallest structure. On its upper floors, there are a restaurant, a café and a night club which hosts a Turkish show. Two elevators carry visitors from the lower to the upper levels. When on your trip to Istanbul, make sure to add it to your itinerary.
6. Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace served almost continuously as the main administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1922. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of modern Turkey, died in a bedroom that is now part of the museum at 9:05 a.m. on November 10, 1938; the clock in this room still points to 9:05 a.m. The palace is amongst the finest tourist destinations and attractions in Istanbul. If you are interested in architecturally beautiful landmarks, this is the go-to place for you and your family.
7. Istanbul Archaeology Museums
This is a group of three museums located near Gülhane Park and Topkapı Palace: the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the Ancient Orient and the Museum of Islamic Art. Overall, it houses over one million objects representing almost all the eras and civilizations in world history. You can look forward to these great museums.
8. Miniaturk
Miniatürk is a miniature park containing 122 models in 1/25 scale. 58 of the structures are from Istanbul, 52 are from Anatolia, and 12 are from the Ottoman territories that today lie outside of Turkey. It is a very popular tourist attraction. If you are planning a trip to Istanbul, this park will certainly prove to be an ideal place to visit.
9. New Mosque
The New Mosque is an Ottoman imperial mosque and is one of the famous architectural landmarks of Istanbul. The exterior boasts 66 domes and semi domes in a pyramidal arrangement, as well as two minarets. The interior is decorated with blue, green and white İznik tiles. The place offers an ideal example of the cultural and traditional history of the region, which is something every tourist travelling to Istanbul should experience.
10. Walls of Constantinople
A series of defensive stone walls have surrounded and protected the city of Istanbul since its founding as Constantinople. With the many additions and modifications added to them over time, they were the last great fortification system of the ancient world, and one of the most elaborate ever. Make sure to visit them during your trip to Istanbul, as they convey a vivid image of a world long gone.