Things To Do Istanbul

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Places To Visit In Istanbul

Basilica Cistern

Basilica Cistern is the largest cistern in the city of Istanbul, built underneath the Stoa Basilica. It has hundreds of decorated columns and is a simply breathtaking piece of architecture. There is only a few feet of water in the cistern today, above which platforms are built for people to tour it. Built in 532 by Justinian, this is the largest surviving cistern in the city. It was built to provide water supply to the Great Palace and the complex surrounding it, and it could hold 80,000 cubic metres of water. The astonishing thing about this cistern is the amount of precision that has gone into it's construction. It has a total of 336 marble columns, engraved with various symbols, organised into 12 rows of 28 columns, each spaced by exactly 4.9 metres. There is only a few feet of water in the cistern today, above which platforms were built for people to tour it. Another interesting feature here is that two columns actually have bases that depict the head of Medusa. Located in the north-western corner, it is widely believed they were brought here from a building of the Roman period, and that they are placed upside down to reduce the effectiveness of the lethal gaze of Medusa. After several restorations, mostly relating to cleaning, it was opened to the public in 1987 and fast became one of Istanbul's prime attractions. Read More

The Bosphorus Strait is the dividing waterway between Europe and Asia. With Europe on one side and Asia on the other, it makes for an ideal cruise for some scenic views of most of Istanbul's landmarks. The Hagia Sofia and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque are also visible from the cruise. The Bosphorus is an international strait of huge strategic importance. Along the coast, you can also witness the old wooden houses from Ottoman times. There are two suspension bridges connecting the two continents across the strait as well. The Bosphorus Strait cruises are considered to be one of the best and the most scenic tours of Istanbul. Read More

Chora Museum, also known as Kariye Museum, is located in Edirnekapı neighbourhood of Istanbul. It is popular as one of the most beautiful Byzantine churches of the 16th-century which was converted into a mosque and finally a museum in 1948. The interior of the building is covered in stunning mosaics depicting the life of Christ and Mary. These mosaics can be followed like a graphic novel. For many, the importance of the Chora Museum is as great as Hagia Sophia. The best way to get to this part of town is to catch the Golden Horn ferry from Karaköy. Read More

The Dolmabahce Palace was the main residence of operation for the Ottomans after the Topkapi. It is built along the Bosphorus Strait and is another stunning imperial structure which today serves as a major tourist attraction. It is home to the largest collection of Bohemian and Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the world. This imperial structure was completed in 1856, and used elements from the Baroque, Neoclassical and Rococo styles. It was the final residence of the Ottomans in Turkey and is the largest palace in the country. The palace is extravagantly decorated. More than 14 tonnes of gold were used in the ceiling itself! Furthermore, the palace is home to the largest collection of Bohemian and Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the world. In fact, the stunning Bohemian crystal chandelier hanging in the Ceremonial Hall is the largest such chandelier in the world! And it doesn't stop there, there is also a crystal staircase, and precious stones such as Marmara marble, Porphyry and onyx marble are used extensively in the decorations. The palace also has on display a huge collection of oil paintings by many European and Turkish artists. The palace can only be accessed via a guided tour, which will take you through the breathtaking Medhal Hall, the rooms of the secretariat, and the bedroom of Kemal Ataturk, where he spent his final years. Read More

This sprawling park of more than a 117 acres is a splendid example of the Turkish gardens from the Ottoman empire. This spectacular park is another large public park of Istanbul. It's laid out with colourful flowers and trees, as well as ponds and makes for encapsulating scenery. Just like the Gulhane Park, the Emirgan too is a fabulous location during the Tulip Festival. It is popular among joggers and families during weekends especially. There are also three historic pavilions in the park, namely the Yellow Pavilion, the Pink Pavilion and the White pavilion. All three of them are brilliant buildings reflecting the architecture from the Ottoman era, and all three are used as cafeterias today. Read More

Galata Tower is one of the most popular attractions of not just Istanbul but Turkey itself. This centuries old medieval monument erects straight in the middle of the capital and provides a panoramic view of the city. Also known as Galata Kulesi in Turkish, it makes its place in the skyline of Istanbul as one of the oldest and tallest towers in the city. Galata Tower is a nine-storeyed building having a height of 67 metres. A restaurant and a cafe sits on the top floors of the building from where you can enjoy your meal with the spectacular view of the city. The tower features a restaurant and a cafe that can be accessed from the elevator inside the building. A souvenir shop is also located beside the ticketing centre. To go to the top for a panoramic view of the city, you would have to take a life and then climb three flights of stairs. The cafe gives a very relaxing and lively atmosphere, and you can enjoy the best view of Istanbul while having your favourite drink. Read More

Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is one of the oldest and largest markets in the world. The Bazaar encompasses 64 streets, 4000 shops, restaurants, and banks, making it almost its own little city. It is often considered to be among the very first shopping malls in the world. It can be reached through the Beyazıt-Kapalıçarşı tram station. The market has been renovated countless times throughout its long history. The walls of the bazaar are adorned with lovely detailing, and several columns are laid out throughout. The shops cover absolutely all of your requirements, with dedicated areas of the market for gold, carpets, leather and so on. The Cehavir Bedestan in the centre is home to antique wares from ancient times. The market attracts around 250,000 to 400,000 visitors daily! Its origin can be traced back to 1461 and it has grown steadily since then. It is the hub of the city’s commerce but a visit here is more than about shopping. It is a way to experience the Turkish way of life. Read More

Gulhane Park is one of the biggest and most beautiful parks in Istanbul, popular among locals for picnics and recreation. It's especially known for its tulips and attracts many during the Istanbul Tulip Festival. The Gulhane Park once used to be a royal park, part of the outer garden of the Topkapi Palace and accessible only to the members of the royal family. It was opened as a public park in 1912. Since its opening, the park has had many additions and omissions. Today, it is a huge open space for people to come and relax, children to play around and families to picnic on the weekends after a busy week. The park is lined with tons and tons of trees and lovely flowerbeds. The Istanbul Museum of the History of Science & Technology in Islam was also opened on the western edge of the park. This wonderful park also offers great views of the Bosphorus and is just the place for you to have some time with nature after a busy day. Read More

Arguably the most spectacular example of Byzantine architecture, Hagia Sophia has been a cathedral, a mosque, and today is a museum and one of the country's biggest attractions. The intricate mosaics and frescoes throughout this majestic mosque are marvellous. The Hagia Sophia is one of the most overwhelming pieces of architecture you will ever see. It is widely considered to be the epitome of Byzantine architecture. The huge structure has several elements that are noteworthy, and the moment you step inside you are surrounded by a huge collection of mosaics, marble pillars and coverings. When it was built back in 532, it became the largest cathedral in the world and remained so for the next millennium, when the Seville Cathedral was completed in 1520. In its long history, the church has served as a cathedral of the Greek Orthodoxy, the Roman Catholics and also as a mosque. It was converted into the Ayasofya Museum in 1935 by president Kemal Ataturk. The removal of the carpets revealed the detailed marble floors for the first time in centuries. There are several points of interest here, such as the Lustration Urns, the supposedly supernatural Wishing Column, the Marble Door, and the Loge of the Empress. There are continuous restoration works going on in the building since it deteriorated due to neglect over the years, but nevertheless, it is Turkey's busiest museum. Read More

Sultanahmet Square, also known as the Hippodrome, is the centrepiece of Istanbul's Historical Peninsula. It is located a few minutes' walk away from the Sultanahmet tram station. It leads to the city's most fantastic attractions, including the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia and Ibrahim Pasa Palace. Sultanahmet Square is also lined with hotels, restaurants and other places of accommodation and leisure. Hippodrome of Constantinople was a public area for various activities like chariot races, gladiator fights and many wars in the past. It was the hub of different social and cultural meetings in Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. It was constructed by Constantine the Great. The word ‘hippodrome’ comes from the Greek words hippos meaning horse, and dromos meaning path, as it was a racing platform for the horses. Today, it is home to relics like the Egyptian Obelisk, the Colossus and the Kaiser Wilhelm II fountain. Read More