THE BEST 30 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN ISTANBUL

There are cities that inevitably make you dream, they transport you to remote times and distant worlds, they invite you to imagine what the day to day life of the people who lived there during their golden years was like. There are cities that must be visited at least once in a lifetime and Istanbul without any doubt is one of them. Place of separation, or rather of union, between east and west, with an exciting history and a present full of life and color, of bazaars and delicious flavors ... If you are one of those travelers who enjoy authentic and different places, you will fall in love quickly from the most populous city in Turkey. In this post we tell you 30 things to see and do in Istanbul.

1. Perhaps the fascination I feel for this building leads me to start this list with him, but it is that visiting the imposing and beautiful Hagia Sophia It is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Istanbul. Although it was born as a Byzantine basilica and is now a museum, for 500 years it was the main mosque in Istanbul. There are no words that express exactly what it feels like the first time one sees it closely ... its long history and the indelible mark left by all who have passed through it, make it a unique place in the world and truly special If you want to enjoy a guided tour of Santa Sofia, look here.

2. Right in front of Santa Sofía you will find the Sultanahmet Mosque or Blue Mosque, for many the most beautiful in the whole city. Do not miss the wonderful interior mosaics made with nothing more and nothing less than 20,000 ceramic tiles from Iznik. To visit it you have to keep in mind that it closes in each of the 5 prayers (see visiting hours here) and you must dress appropriately. Entrance is free.

3. With privileged views of the Bosphorus Strait, located between the Golden Horn and the Marmara Sea, you will find the Topkapi Palace. You will run the risk of getting lost traveling through its multiple buildings, gardens and rooms that occupy a total space of 700,000 square meters! Ticket office costs 60 lira (about € 10, more information), although you can book your ticket online without a fee, or also include a guided tour (in English) for € 15 here.

4. The colorful ones fruit street stalls that you will find throughout Istanbul will surely get your attention. Pay attention to your senses and taste the delicious freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, the perfect dose of vitamins to continue strongly your visit to the city.

5. Strength you will need to deal with the sellers of the bazaars in the bargaining game… and it doesn't matter if the shopping is not your thing, because visiting two of the bazaars The oldest in the city is an experience that you cannot miss during your trip to Istanbul:

• The Grand Bazaar, an authentic small city with its 64 avenues and streets where you will find articles of all kinds
• The Egyptian or Spice Bazaar, in which, as the name implies, you can buy spices and other typical products such as sweets and nuts.

Blue Mosque at sunset

6. In addition to these two famous bazaars, you will run into many other markets throughout the city (they are called pazar). If you are one of those who, like me, think that there is no better way to really know a place than to visit the markets where the locals buy, get lost by some less known as the Fatih Market (Carsamba Pazari) held on Wednesdays, the Kadiköy Market (Salı Pazarı) every Tuesday in the Asian part of the city, or the fish markets of Kumkapi, Besiktas or that of Galatasaray Balik Pazar.

7. Walk through the busy pedestrian avenue of Istiklal, historically inhabited by religious minorities, and that has a character closer to that of the great boulevards of other European cities. Do not be startled when you hear the bell announcing the passage of mythical tram and continue your journey until you reach the Taksim Square, nerve center of modern Istanbul. Sign up for this free tour in Taksim to get to know the area better.

8. Know the Basilica Cistern (In turkish: Yerebatan Sarayı, “Submerged Palace”) will be the perfect excuse to take refuge from the heat if you travel to Istanbul during the summer months. Although the place deserves a visit at any time of the year! It is an old water cistern in the underground of the city dating from its Byzantine era. Do not forget to look between the 336 columns that support the roof of the Cistern the two Medusa heads that serve as the basis for two of them. Access costs 20 lira (€ 3). More information.

9. And to get warm in the colder months do not miss the opportunity to try the experience of Turkish bath. It will leave you as new after an intense day of tourism ... and very clean! One option is the Ağa Hamamı.

10. Cross the Galata Bridge that crosses the estuary of the Golden Horn and do not overlook its lower part, where you will find restaurants and cafes. In addition to enjoying the fun coming and going of boats and fishermen looking to sell the catch of the day.

Medusa detail in one of the columns of the Basilica Cistern

11. Sharing name with the famous bridge, walk to the Galata Tower an impressive Genoese construction of the 14th century, and goes up to its viewpoint to have beautiful views of the city. The price is 25 lira (about € 4).

12. And speaking of views, treat yourself and have dinner at one of the many restaurants with panoramic terrace You will find in the city. Double pleasure: breathtaking views and happy stomach. Some are 5.Kat, Roof Mezze 360 ​​or 360 Istanbul.

13. If there is something I remember from my days in Istanbul it is the prayer call. For obvious reasons, it is something that you will experience whether you want it or not, but I advise you to at least once stop to enjoy it consciously. Listening suddenly to the imposing song from the top of the ubiquitous minarets, summoning the faithful to perform their prayers is a unique experience and in a city as special as Istanbul, much more.

14. Known as the city of a thousand mosques, it is clear that you will not have time to see them all. Visit the Suleiman Mosque (Süleymaniye), the largest in the entire city and one of the most famous images of Istanbul. In addition, in the garden behind the main part of the mosque, you will find the mausoleum where Suleiman I the Magnificent, his wife and daughter are buried. Open from 9 to 18, access is interrupted during prayer hours, and admission is free.

15. Like Santa Sofia, San Salvador de Chora It was built as a church, later became a mosque and is now a Museum (45 lira, about € 7). It may be difficult to find it, because it is somewhat far from the center, but the mosaics and frescoes that this building houses inside are considered one of the most important legacies of Byzantine artists. So do not hesitate to visit it because the effort to get there will be rewarded!

Galata Tower from the old part of Istanbul

16. Visit Istanbul and not eat kebab It would be like going to Italy and not eating pizza: absolutely incomprehensible, and I even dare to say unacceptable (unless you're not vegetarian or vegan!;)) So you know, one of the best things you can do on your visit to the Turkish city is to taste this tasty dish consisting of different types of meat or fish roasted on a grill and that has little to do with the donors we are so used to in Europe ...

17.… And after a typical dish, nothing better than trying a typical drink: the intense and aromatic turkish tea, symbol of friendship and hospitality.

18. What was formerly the Constantinople racecourse, is currently the Sultanahmet Meydanı Square. Little is left of the great aspect that it should have had in its glory days, but visiting its remains (and the Egyptian obelisk that you will also find there) is one of the best things you can do in Istanbul.

19. Surrounded by legends about its construction and its strange location, you will have to leave the mainland and enter the waters of the Bosphorus to visit the Maiden's Tower, also known as Leandro Tower (or Maiden's Tower in English). Now it houses a museum (entrance 30 lire, less than € 5) and to arrive there are boat services every 15 minutes from the jetty in the Salacak neighborhood. More information.

20. If the short boat trip to the Maiden's Tower leaves you wanting more, do not think about it and encourage yourself to do a Bosphorus cruise. Not every day you can sail while contemplating two continents! You can book it here.

Bosphorus Cruises

Tired? Noooooo! If you still have to know 10 of the best things to see and do in Istanbul!

21. One of the best known prints in Istanbul is that of the New Mosque or Yeni Camii. That his name does not deceive you, because this building is almost 400 years old and with its sixty-six vaults and an interior full of stained glass, Iznik tiles, gold and marble, deserves to be contemplated in detail. You will find it in the Golden Horn south of the Galata Bridge and it is free.

22. Another of the Byzantine buildings that you should not miss on your visit to Istanbul is the Church of San Sergio and San Baco, known as Little Hagia Sophia, dubbed in this way because it was the model they were inspired to build the "great" Hagia Sophia.

23. I don't usually like to use the word “authentic” to describe places, but perhaps in this case this adjective serves to make the personality of the Usküdar neighborhood, in the Asian part of Istanbul. Outside the typical tourist route, you will find a very different face of the city ... don't forget that you are in another continent! Ottoman architecture at every step, popular food and spice markets, street vendors ... go for this interesting neighborhood.

24. Traditional coffee shops, tea shops and shops will make their way through the streets of the Beyazit neighborhood. The heart of the neighborhood is the square of the same name, where in addition to the coming and going of tourists and locals, you will find the beautiful University gateway.

25. And again a mosque among the best things to see and do in Istanbul, this time the little jewel of Rüstem Paşa. It is easy to ignore it because it is built on business arcades, so you may have to ask the merchants in the area to get to the front door. Even if you don't give up on the search because it's one of the most beautiful mosques in the entire city!

Interior of the Rüstem Paşa Mosque

26. See the sunset It is always a magical moment, but in a scenario as wonderful as Istanbul it is even more so. Choose your favorite place among terraces, viewpoints and hills and enjoy the show. A special way to do it is on a romantic cruise from the waters of the Bosphorus.

27. Much luxury and beautiful gardens you will find in the Dolmabahçe Palace. Located on the European coast of the Bosphorus, many travelers are content to see it from afar while they cruise through the waters of the strait ... but if you have time it is worth knowing it also inside. It costs 60 lira (about € 9) and be careful because it closes on Mondays.

28. Following on the European side of Istanbul but quite north is the Rumeli Castle (Rumeli Hisarı), an example of Ottoman military architecture, built in the year 1452 and from which its 3 defensive towers stand out. Both this and the Anatolia Castle which is right in front of him, on the other side of the Bosphorus Strait, were built to block access to the Black Sea of ​​the Byzantine Empire. The access price is 15 lira (€ 2) and you can arrive by bus.

29. Contemplate the hypnotic dance of the Giróvagos Dervishes, loaded with symbolism and spiritual energy. You can book your show here.

30. One of the biggest attractions of the eastern part of Istanbul is the Beylerbeyi Palace, used as a summer residence for the Ottoman sultans. It is not one of the oldest buildings in the city, but one of the most beautiful, with its white marble, especially if viewed from the Bosphorus water. We recommend you visit it with this excursion in Spanish, which also takes you to the Üsküdar neighborhood. Although you can always visit it for free: the entrance costs 40 lira (about € 6).

Facade of the Dolmabahçe Palace

30 + 1. Istanbul is full of surprises at every step, so one of the best things you can and should do is wander ... explore ... lose yourself... and open all your senses to this great city ... Believe me, you will not regret it!

Here we leave you a map with all the points that we recommend to visit on your trip to Istanbul:

So far the 30 best things to see and do in Istanbul... but there are many more! Dare to discover them and enjoy all that this incredible city has to offer!

* Photocredit: Shutterstock

Video: Top 15 Places to See in Istanbul, Turkey (April 2024).