Friendly disclaimer! We want to be as accurate as possible, but given these challenging times, we urge you to recheck that the venues are open when you decide to visit.
It’s easy to lose yourself In Istanbul’s grandiose history, but modern Istanbul is a simmering metropolis, well worth a visit in its own right. The shopping is world class and the nightlife pulsates around Taksim Square. Even though Istanbul is no longer the capital, it’s still the country’s business and cultural centre, still the city where new trends are created.
Turkish Baths
It’s said that if you’ve never tried a Turkish bath then you’ve never been really clean. The visitor moves through several hot rooms and finally arrives at the massage table for a real going over. Men and women bathe separately, exceptions are made at certain times for tourists. Here is one recommended bathhouse:
Çemberlitas Hamam. Situated near the Bazaar, this is the oldest hamam in town and was reputedly built by the master architect Sinan.
Useful Info:
- Location: Vezirhan Cad. 8, Çemberlitaş, Istanbul
- Website: www.cemberlitashamami.com.tr
- Timings: Everyday: 06.00am – 12.00am.
Topkapi Palace
The palace of the sultans with its many courtyards and gates brings on a nostalgia for times forgone. There are several special museums in the area; highlights include the Treasure Chamber, where the famous dagger and Spoonmaker’s diamond are true stars of the collection, and the harem, where the sultan’s wives and children lived (the two are not included in the ticket price to the palace).
Useful Info:
- Location: Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
- Website: www.topkapisarayi.gov.tr
- Timings: Everyday, except Tuesday: 9:00am – 5:00pm.
Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia)
Aya Sofya is a remarkable mixture of Christianity and Islam, a church with minarets and a mosque with pictures of the Virgin Mary. The building is one of the wonders of world architecture which was only surpassed after a thousand years by St. Peter’s church in the 16th-century.
Useful Info:
- Location: Sultan Ahmet Mah., Yerebatan Cad., Sultanahmet, Istanbul
- Website: www.ayasofyamuzesi.gov.tr
- Timings: 15th April – 25th October: 09.00am – 07.00pm. 25th October – 15th April: 09.00am – 05.00pm.
Sultanahmet or The Blue Mosque
Built at the beginning of the 16th-century, this is the only mosque in Istanbul with six minarets. The building was given its name by the 20.000 blue Iznik tiles used in its construction.
Useful Info:
- Location: Hippodromen, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
- Website: www.bluemosque.co
Süleymaniye Mosque
Süleymaniye is the largest mosque dating from 1557 and also contains the mausoleum of sultan Süleymaniye and his wife Roxelane. The master architect Sinan built many of Istanbul’s mosques during the 1500s and is buried next to the mosque.
Useful Info:
- Location: Prof Siddik Sami Onar Cad., Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Chora Monastery / Kariye Camii
The Monastery was founded in the 5th century and contains wonderfully beautiful frescos and mosaics dating from 1000-1300 representing the Virgin Mary and the life of Jesus.
Useful Info:
- Location: Kariye Cami Sokak 26, Istanbul
- Website: kariye.muze.gov.tr/en
- Timings: Summer: 09.00am – 07.00pm. Winter: 09.00am – 04.30pm.
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar attracts many people ‚ far too many if you come at rush hour. It’s a good idea to arrive early in the morning and enjoy a cup of tea in one of the cafés whilst the bazaar comes to life. There are thousands of stalls, selling virtually everything, carpets, gold, cloth, spices. The bazaar is a world of its own and it’s easy, but fun, to get lost in the teeming alleyways.
Useful Info:
- Location: Kalpakçılar Cad., Beyazıt, Sultanahmet, Istanbul
- Website: www.grandbazaarshopping.com/
Boat trips
Boats travel along the shores of the Bosporus from Eminönü, they chug quietly under the bridges that connect Europe and Asia. One hour away is Anadolukavagi, a little Asian fishing village with lots of pleasant restaurants.
You can travel to the largest of the Prince Islands with a Seabus, departing from Kabatas below the Dolmabahçe Palace. If you want to visit more of these islands, you can take the ordinary boat from Eminönü.
Useful Info:
- Location: Eminonu, Istanbul
Sakip Sabanci Museum
A private mansion turned into a museum, a place where you can admire works from Turkish artists created between 1850 and 1950. There are also excellent collection of calligraphy and its history, classical Turkish furniture and a nice garden. The museum is beautifully located on a hilltop, overlooking the Bosphorus.
Useful Info:
- Location: Sakıp Sabancı Cad. 42, Istanbul
- Website: www.sakipsabancimuzesi.org/en
- Timings: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – Sunday: 10.00am – 06.00pm. Wednesday: 10.00am – 08.00pm.
Istanbul Museum of Modern Art
This is the first private museum to organize modern and contemporary art exhibitions in the city. It was founded in 2004 and is located in an old warehouse by the harbour. Istanbul Modern Museum offers two main exhibition halls; the museum’s permanent collection is displayed on the upper floor and the temporary exhibition hall and photography gallery on the lower floor.
Useful Info:
- Location: Meclis-i Mebusan Cad., Istanbul
- Website: www.istanbulmodern.org/en
- Timings: Tuesday – Wednesday, Friday: 10.00am – 06.00pm. Thursday: 10.00am – 08.00pm.
Hodjapasha Cultural Centre
For best local authentic events, head over to this Cultural Centre, housed in a old historical Turkish bath (over 500 years). It has two sections, first is an exhibition and foyer area, the other section is the performance area. This is a great place to enjoy belly dancing and other traditional dance performances with live music.
Useful Info:
- Location: Hocapaşa Hamamı Sokak 3, Istanbul
- Website: www.hodjapasha.com
Emirgan Park
Emirgan Park is one of the oldest and largest parks in Istanbul. There are several playgrounds for children, trails for hiking and picnic tables. Every April there is a Tulip Festival, a period when the park is surrounded by blossomed tulips.
Useful Info:
- Location: Korusu Emirgan, Sariyer, Istanbul
Eminonu Pier
Eminonu Pier is a busy place but reflects the true Istanbul. This is a great place to take a stroll by the sea and see locals fishing every day. There are also plenty of fish restaurants that offers the traditional fish sandwiches. Eminonu Pier has the real Turkish atmosphere and claimed to be the heart of Old Istanbul.
Useful Info:
- Location: Eminonu Pier, Istanbul
Istanbul Aquarium
This is a well organised aquarium with species from all over the world and is a great family attraction as well as a popular tourist sight. It offers approximately 1.500 species, 15.000 land and sea creatures in total. When you are feeling hungry or thirsty you will find a café inside.
Useful Info:
- Location: Yeşilköy Halkalı Cad. 93, Istanbul
- Website: istanbulakvaryum.com/en
- Timings: Monday – Friday: 10.00am – 07.00pm. Weekend: 10.00am – 08.00pm.
Rahmi M. Koc Museum
The first museum in Turkey dedicated to the history of transport. The collection contains of full size ships, aircrafts, trains and cars. This is a great place to explore and learn something new, both for children and adults.
Useful Info:
- Location: Hasköy Cad. 5, Istanbul
- Website: www.rmk-museum.org.tr/en/index.htm
- Timings: Tuesday – Friday: 10.00am – 05.00pm. Weekend: 1st October – 31st March: 10.00am – 06.00pm. 1st April – 30th September: 10.00am – 07.00pm.
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