Istanbul Destination Guide

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Things to See & Do
Guide to Sightseeing in Istanbul

Aya Sofya

The Byzantine cathedral of Aya Sofya is arguably the most awe-inspiring sight in Istanbul. Built in AD537 when the Byzantine Empire was approaching the height of its power, Aya Sofya was designed as a celebration of an entire culture and its achievements.

The whole interior was originally bedecked with fabulous mosaics and frescoes - some of which still survive today. However, the most impressive feature is the immense dome, in its time the largest ever constructed, a record it held for 1000 years. The building was converted into a museum in the early 20th century and visitors can still see the dizzying Byzantine columns. Ongoing restoration work is uncovering more and more of the ornate mosaics and masonry that went into the original construction.

East side of Sultanahmet Square.
Open: daily 09h00-19h30.
Admission: TRY15.
Tel: +90 (0)212-522-1750.

Topkapi Palace

Built in the late 15th century, Topkapi Palace was for over 350 years home to the Ottoman Sultans and the centre of an Empire, which at its height stretched from the Indian Ocean to the gates of Vienna.

Arranged around three courtyards the palace rooms now house displays ranging from the fifth largest diamond in the world through the furniture and finery of the Sultan's private rooms to the former utensils of the palace kitchens. Of particular interest is the Harem, which comprises a frankly staggering 400 rooms and was home to the Sultan's many wives.

Although visitors are now welcome to tour this most sacred of inner sanctums, when they were in use only eunuchs were allowed to enter the apartments unblindfolded. Allow at least half a day to do the place justice, and go early if you want a place on a tour of the Harem.

Open: Wed-Mon 09h30-17h00.
Admission: TRY40 for entrance to all sections; TRY15 for entrance to main section only, excluding the Harem and the Treasury.
Tel: +90 (0)212-512-0480.

The Sultanahmet Mosque (The Blue Mosque)

Not the most beautiful of Istanbul's imperial mosques, but certainly a truly impressive structure, the Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul's most memorable landmarks.

Its sheer size and location in Sultanahmet Square make it one of the most visited of the city's attractions. From the exterior the mosque's main feature is the unique series of six minarets while the interior is decorated with twenty thousand blue patterned tiles - from where the mosque takes its English name. The whole thing was built between 1609 and 1616 for the Sultan Ahmet, with his tomb lying near to this enduring memorial.

Open: sunrise to late evening.
Admission: free but a donation is expected.
Tel: +90 (0)212-518-1330.

Archaeological Museum

Not the best presented collection in the world but Istanbul's archaeological museum does contain some stupendous exhibits, with the entire collection comprising the Oriental Antiquities Museum and the Tiled Pavilion as well as the archaeological museum itself.

The range of exhibits includes artefacts from the great Empires that held sway in the region over the centuries, most notably the Romans and Persians. Among the items on display is a fabulous collection of jewellery found at Troy and a huge collection of Sarcophagi - including one reputed to have held the bones of Alexander the Great.

Gülhane Park, adjacent to entrance of Topkapi Palace.
Open: Tue-Sun 09h00-16h30.
Admission: TRY5.
Tel: +90 (0)212-520-7740.

Yerebatan Sarayi - The Underground Palace

It isn't every municipal water-works that becomes a tourist attraction. But this 6th-century Byzantine underground water cistern is rather special, having been constructed using hundreds of Greek and Roman columns to support the 20m high brick vaulted ceiling.

Measuring 140m by 70m, there's no hint in the busy road junction above that it even exists. Once inside you're free to wander the raised walkways through the forest of columns. Subtle lighting and piped classical music complete the atmospherics and give the ancient feat of engineering a suitably mystical ambience.

Clearly signposted on the north side of Sultanahmet Square.
Open: daily 09h00-18h00.
Admission: TRY16.50.
Tel: +90 (0)212-522-1259.

The Grand Bazaar

You don't have to want to buy a carpet to visit the Grand Bazaar (or Kapali Çarsi). This vibrant and eclectic mixture of stalls and shops sells just about everything and anything.

One of the world's oldest shopping malls, it was begun in the late 15th century, extended in the 16th, and by the late 18th century had reached labyrinthine proportions. By this time it housed four and a half thousand shops and over two thousand workshops - pretty much what you'll see today. It's not just aimed at tourists, you'll find plenty of Turks there shopping for various items, including clothing, leather goods and gold.

Cemberlitas tram stop.
Open: 08h00-20h00.
Admission: free.

Galata Tower

Built in 1348 and originally known as the Tower of Christ, the Galata Tower once formed part of the fortifications of the Genoese trading city of Galata, founded in the dying centuries of Byzantine rule.

With the Ottoman conquest in the 15th century, Galata became the westernmost end of the "Silk Road" from China, while Galata Tower itself served as a fire-spotting post. These days the tower affords unparalleled views over the city from its galleries, thankfully reached via a thoroughly modern lift rather than 14th-century stairs. Galata Square.

Open: daily 09h30-17h00.
Admission: TRY2.25.

The Land Walls & Yediküle Fortress

Stretching in a long arc from Yediküle on the sea of Marmara to the Golden Horn, Constantinople's land walls saved the city from conquest on more than 20 occasions before finally succumbing to the Ottoman forces in 1453.

Built in the early 5th century, they are still one of the most impressive sights in the city. If you don't feel up to walking the full 7km, Yediküle Fortress, at the Marmara end of the walls offers good views along half the length of the ancient fortifications.

Yediküle train station, bus 80, 80T from Eminönü.
Open: daily 24 hours.
Admission: free.

The Kariye Mosque (Church of St Saviour in Chora)

Unless you're walking the city walls, which pass close by, you're probably best off visiting the Kariye by taxi (Ask for "Kariyer Jarmee").

However you get here though, it's definitely worth the journey as this beautiful 12th-century church contains the best examples of Byzantine mosaics and frescoes anywhere in the city. The majority of them depict the life and works of Christ, with the most spectacular showing him crushing the gates of Hell underfoot at the resurrection. The church was used as a mosque in the 15th century, which meant covering all the mosaics. They were uncovered again when the building was converted into a museum.

Kariya Bostana Sok.
Open: daily 09h00-18h30 (except Wed).
Admission: TRY10.

 

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