WHERE TO VISIT?

Having been the capital city of world's largest ancient civilizations, Istanbul inhabits world culture's most precious relics and historic venues. Due to it's remarkable background and geography Istanbul has become one of the most important cities in the world. Here are some suggestions for historic buildings, structures and museums as well as other landmarks portraying the new modern Istanbul listed according to their location.

Sultanahmet Region:

• Sultanahmet Square (Sultanahmet Meydanı)

The Sultanahmet Square was called "The Hippodrome of Constantinople", and was a circus, which was also used as a social center until 324. When the capital was moved to Istanbul, the hippodrome was renovated and enlarged, and became the center of city's social life. Currently the district is the heart of historic Old Istanbul.

• Haghia Sophia (Ayasofya)

Considered to "change the history of architecture", Haghia Sophia is a former Orthodox Patriarchal Basilica, which was then turned into a mosque. Until the construction of the Seville Cathedral in 1520, it was considered to be the largest cathedral in the world.

• The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)

The Blue Mosque is another historical mosque in Istanbul, and also known as Sultan Ahmed Mosque. It was built between 1609 and 1616, under the orders of Sultan Ahmed I.

• Topkapı Palace (Topkapı Sarayı)

Topkapı palace contains the most holy relics of the Muslim world and for 200 years, it was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in 1921, Topkapı Palace was turned into a museum of the imperial era. From the hundreds of rooms and chambers of the Palace, only the most important are accessible to the public today.

• The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı)

Located South West of the Hagia Sophia, the cistern is the largest of many ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul and used to provide water to the Topkapi Palace after the Ottoman conquest in 1453 and into modern times.

• Istanbul Archaeology Museums (Istanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri)

The Istanbul Archaeology Museums are located near the Gülhane Park/Topkapı Palace and houses over one million objects that represent almost all of the eras and civilizations in world history. It consists of of three museums; The Archaeological Museum, Museum of the Ancient Orient and the Museum of Islamic Art.

Beyoğlu Region:

• Mevlevi Monastery (Dervişhane)

The Mevlevi order was founded in 13th century, and is named after Celaleddin Rumi, the great Sufi mystic and poet, also known as Mevlana (meaning our leader). The monastery contains Sufi musical instruments, dervish accessories and manuscripts of Turkish Mevlevi Poetry. Twice every month, there are concerts and/or performances of sema, the ritual of the Mevlevi sect.

• The Fish Market and The Flower Passage (Balık Pazarı ve Çiçek Pasajı)

The Fish Market is a bazaar, where the finest fish, exotic spices, fruits, and vegetables are sold. The fish sold there comes from all around the country, including such delicacies as octopus from Bodrum, calamari from Antalya, and prawns from Çanakkale. Down at the Flower Passage, there are not flowers, but small fish restaurants.

• St. Anthony of Padua Church (St. Antuan Kilisesi)

Run by Italian priests, the largest Catholic Church in Istanbul is located on Istiklal Avenue in Beyoğlu. The local Italian community built the original church in 1725, but it was rebuilt on the same location. 

• Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi)

Located in the Galata district, Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower, and has a panoramic vista of the Old Istanbul. It was built in 1348, during the expansion of the Genoese colony in Constantinople. There is a restaurant and café on its top floor.

• Pera Palace Hotel (Hotel Pera Palas)

Located in Tepebaşı, Hotel Pera Palace is a famous four-star hotel, which was built in 1892. It is considered to be the oldest European hotel of Turkey.

• French Street (Fransız Sokağı)

Located behind the Galatasaray High School, also known as the Algeria Street, the French Street has tented buildings, street musicians, cafés, bars and street lamps from the Municipality of Paris. This street is very popular; the number of daily visitors is around 6.500, and is a great place to rest and enjoy the city.

• Tünel

The Tünel is a short underground railway line and is the second-oldest subterranean urban rail line in the world. It connects the quarters of Karaköy and Beyoğlu

• Taksim Square (Taksim Meydanı)

Taksim Square is a major shopping, tourist and leisure district famed for its restaurants, shops and hotels. It is considered to be the heart of modern Istanbul, and is the location of the Cumhuriyet Anıtı (Republic Monument), which was built in 1928 and commemorates the formation of the Turkish Republic.

• Church of Panaghia Mouchliotissa

Also knows as St Mary of the Mongols Church, Church of Panaghia Mouchliotissa was built in the 13th century, to honor Emperor Michael VIII's daughter Princess Maria, who was married to the Khan of the Mongols.

Sirkeci Region, and Ortaköy:

• Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı)

Constructed in the 15th century, the Grand Bazaar is known to be one of the largest and oldest markets in the world, with more than 1.200 shops and 58 streets. The bazaar has four gates, and is the best place for shopping for souvenirs, jewellery, carpets and basically all traditional Turkish products.

• Spice Bazaar/ Egyptian Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)

The Spice bazaar is the center for spice trade in Istanbul and is known to be the second largest bazaar of the city. The interesting L-shape of the building was constructed by Koca Kasım Ağa and was completed in 1660.

• Tahtakale and Sultanhamamı

Being the old and authentic trade centers of Istanbul, both Tahtakale and Sultanhamam are worth visiting. Sultanhamam is famous for its beautiful and rich collection of jewelers, and the atmosphere there is said to be a great example of Middle-Eastern culture.

• Ortaköy

Ortaköy is a district right next to the sea, on the European side of Istanbul. With its beautiful mosque (The Ortaköy Mosque), cafés, bars, the "intellectual" bazaar, and baked jacket potato parlors, Ortaköy is the greatest place to enjoy the view of Bosporus while breathing the Turkish air.

• Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı)

The Dolmabahçe Palace served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1922. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey, spent the last days of his life in the palace.

Asian Side:

• Bağdat Avenue (Bağdat Caddesi)

Bağdat Avenue is a main street shopping district which runs 6 km from Bostancı to Kızıltoprak. The one way avenue is filled with shopping malls and departments store offering world famous brands. Most of the retail stores are open all week.