Naturally, there will always be somewhere new to discover in this stunning Turkish center, including museums, palaces, mesquites, stores, and much more.
Visit both Sultanahmet and Taksim for an authentic Turkish experience; take care to bring short clothing with you and always carry some spare money if there are incredible markets nearby that you would like to shop in.
Mezquita Azul
The Blue Mezquita in Istanbul is one of the city’s most outstanding architectural works, located near Santa Sofia and its hippodrome above the Grand Palacio of Bizancista Monarcas. It was ordered to be built by Sultan Ahmed I and completed between 1609 and 1617 by Sedefkar Mehmet Aga (an architect from the Ottoman court who studied under Professor Sinan); Mehmet became a chief architect.
Its design highlights a blend of Eastern and Islamic elements, making it one of the last grand mosques from the Ottoman period of classical classicism. Its size, grandeur, and splendor are striking features of this monument. It stands as a testament to Ottoman architecture at its best!
The Mzquita complex currently houses a hospital, madrasa (Islamic school), hospice, retail spaces, and mausoleums. While not in perfect condition, several rooms contain beautiful furniture and textiles, seating arrangements, green lighting systems, and music.
The Mezquita closes five times daily for prayer, and tourists are not permitted into it during prayer times. Sunrise or sunset are highly recommended as pleasant days to view and pray inside this impressive structure.
This iconic monument is legendary and should be visited upon arriving in Istanbul’s capital city. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Attracting photographers of Istanbul for photography sessions and tourists alike, this exquisite work of art stands out. Valuable carpets of various colors once covered the Mezquita but have since been replaced with more affordable alternatives. We always recommend visiting Mezquita of Estambul to admire and better understand it; its splendid image represents both Istanbul’s heritage and Turkish Muslim civilization. This architectural beauty closes off during prayer times with only tourists allowed inside; during the catholic mass time or Islamic prayers, this landmark closes off altogether, leaving only observers accessing limited entry! This single-eyed monument is a testament to Sultan and Emperor Otoman’s efforts during this era.
Palacio Topkapi
Topkapi Palace was constructed as the hub of the Ottoman Empire during Sultan Mehmed II’s rule in the 15th century. Translating literally as “Cannon Gate Palace” today, this grand structure houses one of the grandest knowledge banks and memoirs of Ottoman glory imaginable, covering an area of 700,000 square meters and welcoming over three million tourists annually.
Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site through its Imperial Gate, once used by Sultans, and witness all its wonders. Take in its treasure trove of robes and weapons, miniature artworks, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts, Islamic calligraphy books, and much more – not forgetting its many rare gems like the Topkapi Dagger!
A large part of the Treasury contains porcelain artifacts. Sultans were particularly fond of Chinese Dynasty porcelains but later switched to European varieties – there are over 5,000 pieces on display here! Additionally, The New Library houses thousands of manuscripts, which include religious texts and court scenes from various sultans’ reigns.
Dassin excelled at crafting brutal, unsentimental films during the noir cycle; his best works included Brute Force, Thieves Highway, and Night and the City. However, Topkapi appears too silly as a comedy film and lacks either fun or suspense like its contemporaries; moreover, it seems more like a historical piece than anything else.
Sultanahmet Camii
At the center of this opulent masterpiece sits a separate museum. La Mezquita Azul, or Sultanahmet Camii as it’s commonly known in Turkish, was constructed during Sultan Ahmed I’s 1609-1617 reign and features four minarets, an educational institute for theology and public seating areas; Turkish people all over the world consider her an incredible work of architecture from Bozance.
The Palace of Topkapi, or, as Turks refer to it, The Ambassador House, represents the power of Ottoman enterprise in Constantinople and was expanded and altered over five centuries by successive Turk governors.
Estambul (in Turkish) has long been considered one of the great world cities. As it served as the capital for three significant empires – Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman – Estambul is a unique and young city.
The Mezquita offers spectacular seaside views from Aya Sofya’s central plaza and from Aya Sofya itself, which it also benefits from through its grandstand seating arrangement and standing arena. Furthermore, its museum is highly significant.
So much so that the Museum of the Mosque is always packed with visitors.
The Museum of the Mosque provides various exhibits throughout the year and has designated visiting hours every day.
In Istanbul, all major credit cards are accepted; however, you should change money to the local currency, the Turkish Lira. Various exchange houses may be found around town for this.
The Beyoglu District of Istanbul is home to its most emblematic location: Beyoglu. Its center has numerous shops, cafes, museums, and security guard posts, such as a mezquita. Also within this barrio can be found Galata Kulesi Tower, also known as Christea Turris Tower – both symbols of history that have made an impactful statement about Turkey today.
Taksim
As one of European Istanbul’s central districts, Taksim is a bustling area filled with hotels and shops, schools and universities (such as Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts) as well as hospitals/healthcare facilities such as Acibadem Hospital that have made this region popular with both business travelers and leisure tourists. Taksim remains an invaluable hub in Istanbul today.
Taksim (or meydan) is a sprawling square in central Istanbul that is an epicenter of theatre, culture, and music. You’ll also be able to spot some of Istanbul’s most picturesque old buildings here – though with so much going on, it may become overwhelming; take your time exploring slowly!
Taksim Metro Station offers the ideal way to navigate this region of Istanbul with ease. Easy to locate and equipped with an excellent system for transporting people throughout the city, the Metro also represents an economical means of transit.
If you prefer walking over taking public transit, Istiklal Street provides plenty of restaurants and cafes; additionally, museums and galleries are nearby, such as Ataturk Cultural Center – recently renovated in 2021!
Gezi Park offers picnicking opportunities or watching soccer games. Additionally, various markets in the area provide shopping services, while bars and clubs remain open late into the night.
This area has long been the site of public protests, demonstrations, and activism. Being present during such times can be highly hazardous; be vigilant at all times and ready to leave quickly should a protest arise – whether against malls, May Day festivities, human rights activism, or anything else. It would be best if you did not ignore the risk of violence present in public spaces.
