Istanbul needs no introduction. For 16 centuries it was a great imperial capital, first of the Byzantine Empire and then of the Ottoman sultans. Nowadays, Istanbul is a frenetic city filled with a wealth of culture, history, monuments and nightlife. There are more than 100 places worth visiting in Istanbul, thus one should spend not less than 4 days to give more justice to this magnificient place. If you are short of time, perhaps you could concentrate on the famous places around the Sultanahmet area as shown below.
Haghia Sofia a.k.a the church of holy wisdom. More than 1,400 years old, a testament to the 6th century Byzantine Capital. In 15th Century, the Ottoman converted it into a mosque. Has spectacular patterned mosaic ceilings.
Blue mosque, the most famous landmark built between ( 1609-1616). Personally I find it a bit over-rated but worth visiting. Tour guide is not necessary to visit this place. Interesting light and sound show in the evening.
The interior of Blue Mosque.
The bridge spanning the Bosphorus, the straits separating Asia and Europe, which join the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. Cruising Bosphorus straits is one of the must-to-do trips in Istanbul . Usually half day tour.
Shopping frenzy at Grand Bazaar. Everywhere goods tumble out of shops onto the pavement. Lots and lots of jewellery, leather products, souvenir items, imitation goods, textile etc. Bargain is a must. Dont be tempted by their persuasive skills.
Entrace to the Topkapi Palace. The principal Palace of Sultan Mehmet II, a big compound with enormous pavilions and courtyards. Dont miss the Harem, the section where sultans' wives and concubines lived. At it height, the Harem used to accommodate 1000 concubines. The tour guide told me that all the concubines were not turkish but from the countries conquered during the Ottoman empire. Can be on guided tour or as an option, visitors can also rent a listening device in order to have their own tour. Dont forget to visit the Treasury where all the gifts and jewellery of the Sultans are kept. The biggest diamond in the world is on display too.
Ritual spinning dance of Mevlevi Sufi. It is believed to be a form of meditative ritual to bring the practitioner into direct communication with god. 30 minutes show performed at a hall in the train station in downtown.
Istanbul needs no introduction. For 16 centuries it was a great imperial capital, first of the Byzantine Empire and then of the Ottoman sultans. Nowadays, Istanbul is a frenetic city filled with a wealth of culture, history, monuments and nightlife. There are more than 100 places worth visiting in Istanbul, thus one should spend not less than 4 days to give more justice to this magnificient place. If you are short of time, perhaps you could concentrate on the famous places around the Sultanahmet area as shown below.
Haghia Sofia a.k.a the church of holy wisdom. More than 1,400 years old, a testament to the 6th century Byzantine Capital. In 15th Century, the Ottoman converted it into a mosque. Has spectacular patterned mosaic ceilings.
Blue mosque, the most famous landmark built between ( 1609-1616). Personally I find it a bit over-rated but worth visiting. Tour guide is not necessary to visit this place. Interesting light and sound show in the evening.
The interior of Blue Mosque.
The bridge spanning the Bosphorus, the straits separating Asia and Europe, which join the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. Cruising Bosphorus straits is one of the must-to-do trips in Istanbul . Usually half day tour.
Shopping frenzy at Grand Bazaar. Everywhere goods tumble out of shops onto the pavement. Lots and lots of jewellery, leather products, souvenir items, imitation goods, textile etc. Bargain is a must. Dont be tempted by their persuasive skills.
Entrace to the Topkapi Palace. The principal Palace of Sultan Mehmet II, a big compound with enormous pavilions and courtyards. Dont miss the Harem, the section where sultans' wives and concubines lived. At it height, the Harem used to accommodate 1000 concubines. The tour guide told me that all the concubines were not turkish but from the countries conquered during the Ottoman empire. Can be on guided tour or as an option, visitors can also rent a listening device in order to have their own tour. Dont forget to visit the Treasury where all the gifts and jewellery of the Sultans are kept. The biggest diamond in the world is on display too. 
Ritual spinning dance of Mevlevi Sufi. It is believed to be a form of meditative ritual to bring the practitioner into direct communication with god. 30 minutes show performed at a hall in the train station in downtown.
Did u try the turkish bath??? Love the turkish tea! mmm ...
ReplyDeleteyes i did including the massage at one of the oldest hammams in sultanahmet but didnt like it that much. The massage was torturing for me.
ReplyDeleteiya ka?? kesian u ... he he.. But, I can recall my experience masa Turkish bath tu .. We were young, early 20s, rasa cultural shock sgt .... bila the girl at the reception area tu suruh "open all" ... ha ha
ReplyDeleteThe single: some people might resort "to get out from the closet" over such shocking experience! i'm glad youre just culturally Shocked!
ReplyDelete