Highlights of Istanbul

1) Hagia Sofia - the ‘Church of Holy Wisdom’ is Turkey’s greatest treasure and is among the world’s greatest architectural achievements. During its long and eventful history, it has been a church, a mosque and finally a museum.


2) Topkapi Palace is another absolute ‘must-see’ in Istanbul.  This opulent Ottoman palace complex was home to generations of sultans and their wives, concubines and courtiers between 1465 and 1830.

 

3) Basilica Cistern:  This extraordinary underground cistern was built in the 6th century and is located opposite Hagia Sofia and features 336 columns that support the ceiling, mysterious carved Medusa-head capitals and fish that swim around the bases of the columns.

4) Suleymaniye Mosque:  Unmissable if you stand on the busy Galata Bridge and look up at the Old City skyline, Suleyman the Magnificent’s most notable architectural legacy certainly lives up to its patron’s name.

5) Blue Mosque:  With its wonderfully curvaceous exterior features, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque) is one of very few mosques in the world to boast six minarets.  The inside walls of this early 17th Century Mosque are decorated with thousands of the blue Iznik tiles that give the building its unofficial name.

6) Galata Tower:  From the balcony at the top of the Galata Tower, you can get a great view of Istanbul.  Located in Beyoğlu in the modern part of old Istanbul, the tower was built in 1348 and once formed part of a sub-city belonging to the Genoese that stretched down to the Bosphorus.

7) Kariye Museum:  Also known as Chora Church, this is a tiny Byzantine building in the old city walls, that is adorned with glittering mosaics and breath-taking frescoes from the 14th century.   


8) Shopping in the Grand Bazaar:  Explore the labyrinthine lanes of the colourful and chaotic Grand Bazaar, the  best-known shopping destination on the Historic Peninsula.  Make sure to round off your trip with a visit to the seductively scented Spice Bazaar.

9) Wining & Dining in Beyoglu:  The centre of the city for eating and entertainment, Beyoglu is not to be missed.  Sample modern Turkish cuisine and see fantastic views of the Bosphorous and the Old City from the rooftop terraces of the many sophisticated bistros, cafes and clubs on offer.  


10) Bosphorous Ferry Trip:  Climb aboard one of the city’s famous ferries for the quintessential Istanbul experience and travel across the Bosphorous Strait from Europe to Asia. 




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In this issue
Highlights of Istanbul
Historic Aegean Coast
Antalya & Mediterranean
Turkey's Top Attractions
Turkey's Mediterranean Coast
Turkey's Aegean Coast Region
Highlights of Istanbul
Visit Turkey - Home of History, Great Beaches & More

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