Istanbul is a city with at least 2700 years of history, if not more, so there is much to see and experience. Many of the most popular sights and museums are currently undergoing restoration and renovation work, as the city prepares to be named one of the European Capitals of Culture in 2010. Istanbul’s reputation as a city of modern culture has also been enhanced by the contemporary art exhibitions at the International Istanbul Biennial.
Topkapı Palace, the centre of Ottoman Empire’s power for 400 years, is the city’s most popular attraction, known for its sultan’s jewellery and famous Harem. End the tour in the Konyalı restaurant at the end of the Fourth Courtyard.
Hagia Sophia, once the most magnificent church in the ancient world, has served as a museum since 1930’s. In the Ottoman period it was used as a mosque. When Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th Century, the church was renowned for its huge dome and the richness of its interiors.
Grand Bazaar, the colourful
bazaar with over 3000 shops, is an attraction not to be missed – whether you are shopping or not. Shoppers go for gold, silver and jewellery, as well as leather and carpets.
Egyptian Bazaar, or the Spice Bazaar, is a favourite tourist attraction but also very popular among the locals. Locals buy their spices, nuts, coffee, Turkish Delights and dried fruit, while tourists also snap up Iranian caviar and souvenirs.
Blue Mosque, the work of sultan Ahmet I, who strived outdo Hagia Sophia in splendour when he had it built in the 17th Century. It is said that the sultan was so obsessed with the mosque that he worked on the construction himself.
Suleymaniye Mosque, widely accepted as the best work of the famous architect Sinan, still dominates the landscape of the old peninsula, over 450 years after its construction.
Dolmabahçe Palace, the Turkish sultans’
main palace since the 19th Century, built to show the world that the Ottoman Empire was modernising and powerful, although it was living its last century.
Chora Church, once a small rural church outside the Byzantine city walls, it’s famous for its splendid mosaics and frescoes dating back to the 14th Century.
Byzantine City Walls, that used to surround almost the whole city of Constantinople, are still remarkably well-preserved. The Ottoman Turks broke through them in the year 1453, bringing an end to the thousand year old Byzantine Empire.
Turkish baths, scattered around the old city, offer a relaxing experience after a day of sightseeing. The most beautiful Turkish baths (hamams) are
Çemberlitaş Hamamı and
Cagaloglu Hamami, which is also the most expensive one.