Istanbul
Istanbul is a city that’s brimming with attractions and culture, and the rich cultural heritage of the destination means that there is so much to see and do. With all this available, it’s easy to miss out on some of the best attractions that Istanbul has to offer, simply because you can’t fit it all into your visit. For this reason, we’ve done our best to ensure that you don’t miss out on the best of Istanbul by putting together a list of attractions and things that you simply can’t afford to miss.
The Blue Mosque
Often referred to as the Blue Mosque due to the blue tiling on its interior walls, the Sultan Ahmet Camii is one of Istanbul’s most popular tourist attractions, and an absolute must see for anybody planning a trip to Istanbul. For 90 minutes during the day the mosque is closed for prayer time, however it is open to the public at all other times. If you’re planning to visit the Blue Mosque, you’ll need to remove your shoes – they provide plastic shoe bags, and ladies are politely asked to cover their hair and will provide you with a free head scarf if needed.
Hagia Sophia
This building was once a church, then a mosque, and is now a museum. Today, the mighty and iconic Hagia Sophia stands as a symbol of both the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires. Originally built by order of the Roman Emperor Justinian in the 6th Century AD, the Hagia Sophia stands on the foundations of a Pagan temple, and is a treasure trove of ancient symbolism.
Maiden’s Tower
Just a short drive away from a number of Istanbul’s best hotels such as those by IHG.com, Maiden’s Tower is a tourist attraction that has a number of different legends attached to it. One such story is that the tower was built by an emperor in order to protect his daughter against a prophecy that a snake bite would kill her. Another tale renames the tower Leander’s Tower, and associates it with a priestess of Aphrodite and Leander and their doomed love affair. Today, tourists can enjoy a café and restaurant at the top of the tower.
Spice Bazaar
If you really want to get an authentic experience of the sights, smells and sounds of the city, the Spice Bazaar or Egyptian Bazaar located in the city’s Faith district is a must visit. It is one of the city’s largest bazaars, and there are around eighty five different shops and stalls which sell everything from spices and dried fruit to expensive jewellery. The bazaar is open from 9am to 7pm on weekdays, and 10am to 6pm on weekends. It’s also a great place to pick up a number of authentic and even handmade souvenirs.
Where are your favourite places to visit in Istanbul? If you’d like to add any more must see attractions to this list for first time travellers to Istanbul, we’d love to hear from you – leave your response in the comments below.
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