Istanbul

Augusta, Antonina, Nova Roma, Byzantion, Byzantium, Constantinople and finally Istanbul. These exciting names reminds us of the mysterious and enchanting past of this unique city, the only city in the world that straddles two continents, and has been the capital of two empires.

Founded by ancient Greeks, and later capital of the Christian Byzantine Empire, Istanbul blossomed anew at the heart of the Moslem Ottoman Empire following its capture by the Turks in 1453. Both empires bequeathed Istanbul a wealth of superb buildings and monuments such as Roman aqueducts, Byzantine churches, Venetian towers, and Ottoman palaces from the Byzantine, and Ottoman and Turkish periods. Some of the key sights in the city include the Hagia Sophia, Blue, and Suleymaniye mosques, the Grand Bazaar, Topkapi palace, the Basilica Cistern, the largest of several hundred cisterns that lie under the city of Istanbul, and the Galata tower which provides commanding views of the city, the straits of Bosphorus, and the iconic bridge that connects the continents of Europe and Asia.

With 18 million inhabitants, Istanbul is also one of the most lively metropolises in the world with a variety of intercontinental events, international film, music and theater festivals, countless museums and art galleries, colorful fresh food markets, and exquisite restaurants featuring both Turkish and international cuisine. With its exotic blend of history and culture, there is never a dull moment in Istanbul.

Destinations

Key sights to see

Bosphorus

The Bosphorus, also known as the Strait of Istanbul, is a narrow, natural strait that divides Turkey between Anatolia and Thrace, and forms part of the continental boundary between Europe and Asia. It is one of the most important maritime routes in the world as it enables passage from the Black Sea all the way to the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean via Gibraltar, and the Indian Ocean through the Suez Canal.

Hagia Sophia

Built in 537 by the eastern Roman emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia has served as the largest Christian church of the eastern Roman Empire (the Byzantine Empire) and the Eastern Orthodox Church, as a Latin Catholic cathedral from 1204 to 1261, and as a mosque from 1453 to 1935. In 1935, it was established as a museum. However, in 2020, it was re-classified as a mosque. Hagia Sophia is famous for its architecture, works of art, and the mausoleums of several Ottoman sultans.

The Blue Mosque

Sultan Ahmet Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, is an Ottoman-era imperial mosque that was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the reign of Sultan Ahmet I. It is called the Blue Mosque because its interior walls are adorned with hand-painted blue tiles, and at night the mosque is bathed in blue as lights frame its five main domes, six minarets and eight secondary domes. The square on which the Blue Mosque is located is known as Sultanahmet.

The Grand Bazaar

Dating back to 1455, the Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops on a total area of 30,700 square meters. Initially, the Bazaar consisted of small 'dolaps' or 'stalls' showcasing different goods ranging from jewelry to shoes. It was only around 1804 that modern western-style stores were introduced. Today, the Grand Bazaar attracts between 250,000 to 400,000 visitors daily!

The Basilica Cistern

Built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century, the Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. Capable of holding 80,000 cubic meters of water, the cistern today has very little water, to allow public access inside. The interior has 336 marble columns in total, at the base of two of which are sculptures of the head of Medusa, one upside down, and one turned sideways.

Topkapi Palace and Museum

Topkapi Palace was home to all the Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries. Construction began in 1459, on the orders of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. It was only in 1860 that the imperial court moved from Topkapi to the newly constructed Dolmabahçe Palace. In 1924, Topkapi was converted into a museum. The key sights in the museum today are the Harem and the treasury, which houses the Spoonmaker's Diamond and the Topkapi Dagger.

Dolmabahçe Palace

Located on the European coast of the Bosphorus, Dolmabahçe Palace served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1887 and 1909 to 1922. Mainly built to counter the belief that the Ottoman empire was in decline, the palace was exquisitely decorated with gold and the largest collection of Bohemian and Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the world. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the modern Turkish republic, died here on November 10, 1938.

Galata Tower

The Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower just to the north of the Golden Horn's junction with the Bosphorus. The current 220 foot high tower dates back to 1348, when it was the highest point in the city walls of the Genoese colony called Galata. Today, the upper floors of the Galata Tower have a panoramic balcony that offers spectacular views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus, and a nightclub which hosts a Turkish show.

Maiden’s Tower

The Maiden's Tower is located on a small islet at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus. It was once a Byzantine tollbooth, and then an Ottoman lighthouse. Of the many legends associated with the tower, the most popular is that it was built by an emperor to protect his daughter from a prophesy that she would die on her 18th birthday from a snake bite. During the medieval Byzantine period, the tower was known as Leander's Tower, based on the Greek legend of Hero and Leander.

Suleymaniye Mosque

The Süleymaniye Mosque is an Ottoman imperial mosque that was commissioned around 1550 by Süleyman I, known as 'the Magnificent,' and designed by Mimar Sinan, the most famous and talented of all the imperial architects. Located on one of the seven hills of Istanbul, the mosque's four minarets, with their ten beautiful serefes (balconies) dominate the skyline near the Golden Horn.

Sultanahmet Square

Sultanahmet Square was once the Hippodrome of Constantinople, which was used as a public arena for chariot races, gladiatorial games, and large social events. Today, the square is surrounded by the most iconic buildings in Istanbul including the Haga Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace and Museum. The square itself has several famous monuments including the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column, the Colossus, and the German Fountain.

Kariye Mosque (Chora Church)

The Kariye mosque in Chora was once the Church of the Holy Saviour, a medieval Greek Orthodox church that was originally part of a 4th century monastery. The name Chora is derived from the Greek word Chora, which means 'outside land,' a reference to the fact that the monastery was located outside the city walls of Constantinople. The mosaics and frescoes in the Chora are the most beautiful examples dating from the last period of Byzantine painting (14th century).

Kadikoy Food Market

The bustling food markets of Kadikoy, located on Güneșli bahçe Street on the Asian side of Istanbul, offer a broad variety of colorful, fresh foods ranging from seafood to fruit and vegetables, spices, cheeses, and baked goods. With an abundance of famous eating places, the market is increasingly becoming a must-visit for foodies. There are also several stores where visitors can buy gifts including sweets like lokum (Turkish delight), and various herbal products.

Activities

Exciting and memorable things to do

The Imperial City – Part 1

Explore key sights in Istanbul including Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, Sultanahmet Square (the Hippodrome), Kariye Mosque/Chora Church, Karakoy and the Arab Mosque, then take a ferry to the Asian side of Istanbul and visit a food market in Kadikoy…

The Imperial City – Part 2

Visit Topkapi Palace and the Harem, the Archaelogical Museum, and Dolmabahce palace before ending the tour with a cruise on the Bosphorus and an evening at the Galata tower, where you can enjoy a traditional Turkish show and spectacular views…

Accommodations

Great places to stay

Four Seasons, Bosphorus

Located on the shores of the scenic Bosphorus strait, this fully restored, 19th-century Ottoman palace…

Shangri-La, Bosphorus

Anchored on the European shores of the Bosphorus strait in a historical building from the…

Istanbul

Destinations

Activities

Accommodations

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