One of the greatest marvels of architecture constructed as a Basilica in 532 on the orders Emperor Justinian and considered as the 8th wonder of the world by most art historians. The Basilica, later converted to a mosque by the Ottomans is now a Museum. It is the third largest basilica in the world and its mosaics celebrate the glory of Byzantium as well as of the Emperors and Empresses.
St. Irene is the first church built in Istanbul. It was constructed by Constantine in the 4th century and restored by Justinian. It is a pre-Christian temple.
The building of the museum was originally a palace and the grandest private residences in the Ottoman Empire and was constructed in 1524 by İbrahim Pasa. However, it was destroyed and rebuilt in 1843. The building used as museum today is considered one of the finest collections of Islamic art in the world with a rich display of ceramics, metalwork, miniatures, calligraphy and textiles, as well as some of the oldest carpets in the world.
Mosaics from the 5th and the 6th century (from the Grand Palace of the Byzantine emperors) have been preserved here. If you are interested in mosaics, you should definitely visit here.
The building was the 11th century church of St Saviour in Chora and it is considered to be the most important Byzantine monument in Istanbul, after Aya Sofia. Its fine architecture and the way the mosaics used are definitely to be experienced. There are illustrating scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary. It is absolutely worth to be visited.
It is located by Aya Sofia and is the largest covered cistern in the city, measuring 140 by 70 metres. The structure is a 6th century Byzantine underground Basilica cistern, with 335 massive Corinthian columns supporting the immense chamber’s fine brick vaulting. It is assumed that the cisterns was built in the 4th century by the emperor Constantine, and then enlarged two centuries later. It is also assumed that it was supplied with water from Belgrade Forest and supplied it to the Great Palace and Topkapi Palace.
This buried foundation then restored in 1987.
The museum has two buildings. One is facing the water has seagoing vessels, and the one opposite the road has exhibits relating to maritime history of the Ottoman Empire and Turkish Republic. The most highlighted exhibit is Ataturk’s yacht, the huge wooden figureheads of tigers and swans. It is open everyday except Wednesdays and Thursdays and can be visited between 09.00 and 17.00.
The building is the former residence of Ataturk located in Sisli. His personal belongings are displayed in the museum. It can be visited everyday except Mondays and Tuesdays.
The museum building is in an Ottoman-period factory in which anchors and their chains were produced. The building was recently converted and restored by Rahmi Koc, who is one of Turkey’s most powerful industrialists. The museum displays his private collection of models, machines and vehicles which he had collected from all over Europe, and exhibits include original penny-farthing bicycles, a ship’s bridge, and an engine from the Kalender steam ferry. It is open everyday except Mondays and can be visited between 10.00 and 17.00.
The Palace is the symbolic and political centre of the Ottoman Empire in between the 15th and 19th centuries. It is a big building and takes several hours to explore it properly. The Palace was built in between 1466 and 1478. Its architecture in character is predominantly Middle Eastern.
During Fatih’s period, originally, there were 750 residents which became 5000 during normal days and 10,000 during festivals. There had been some extensions for several reasons. In total it has over 400 rooms. Some highlights in the Palace are as following: the Spoonmaker’s Diamond (the fourth largest diamond in the world), the Topkapi Dagger, (a gift from Mahmut I), a vast collection of paintings and miniatures, and the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle (including a footprint, a tooth and a hair of the Prophet Mohammed). It can be visited everyday, but is closed on Tuesday in winter period and opening hours are 09.00 – 17.00.
It lies along the European coast of the Bosphorus. It was built during the 19th century (in between 1843 and 1856), in the reign of Sultan I Abdulmecit. The structure specifications of the building are as following:
It was built over three levels, and symmetrically planned, with 285 chambers and 43 halls. It has a 600m long pier along the river, with two huge monumental gates. The palace is surrounded by well-maintained and immaculate gardens, with an immense 56-columned greeting hall, with 750 lights illuminated from 4.5 tonnes of crystal chandelier etc.
The palace has a high level of luxury; its walls and ceilings are decorated with gold, top quality silk, top quality wool carpets, crystal candlesticks and so on. Except Monday and Thursday, it can be visited everyday between 09.00 and 16.00.
Ciragan Palace was constructed by architect Serkis Balyan in 1871, as appointed by Sultan Abdul Aziz, from the ruins of the old palace. Its interior construction was rebuilt beginning with covering the ceiling with wood and the walls with marble. Rare carpets, furniture, gold and silver were initials for rooms’ decoration. The sides of the building were decorated with coloured marble.
It was destroyed by a fire in 1910 and was only rebuilt in 1991. It is now Istanbul’s premier luxury hotel, and still retains of its former glory.
The Palace was built in the reign of Sultan Abdulaziz between 1861 and 1865. Eastern and Turkish motifs are used with Western design elements, on the sides and for internal decoration.
The building has three floors and contains 26 rooms and 6 halls. The interior is decorated with Bohemian chandeliers, valuable tiles and ceramic vases, silver-edged furniture and luxurious carpets. Almost all furniture, carpets, curtains and other property have been well preserved. It can be visited everyday except Monday and Thursday.
It is the second largest palace in Istanbul. The main structure of the Palace was built in the old Ottoman style and the pavilions which are dotted around the park were transformed into a power base. The most highlighted remaining building is Sale Kosk (Open everyday except Monday and Thursday and can be visited between 09.30 and 17.00).
Its park consists of mansions, gardens and lakes and is surrounded by high walls. It is popular at weekends and holidays with locals and it is a great place for walking, relaxing and eating. The Park is open daily in between 09.00 and 17.30.
The palace also has a Museum, City Museum. It is located inside the gardens of Yıldız Palace. It preserves and documents the history of Istanbul since the Ottoman conquest. There are also the Yildiz Palace Theatre, and the Yıldız Sarayı Theatre (Museum of Historical Stage Costumes) within the gardens. It is closed Mondays and can be visited between 09.00 and 16.30.
Built by Abdulmecit I in the mid-19th century, it was used as a summer residence.
It is closed for its visitors on Mondays and Thursdays.
It was built in the early 18th century and it restored several times. It is located in the Hasksoy district, on the Karakoy side of the Golden Horn. It is famous for its mirrors, which were gifts from the Venetians and installed in 1718. The composition room is also mostly highlighted exhibit of the Pavilion. It is a private room of Ahmet III where he used to compose music, includes a central brazier and low divans - typical interior of the era. It also has exhibition of old Turkish musical instruments. It is closed Mondays and Thursdays and can be visited between 09.00 and 16.00.
The building was constructed as a mansion in 1472. Its interior is well decorated with Selcuk art. The building now hosts the Museum of Turkish Ceramics, exhibits examples of 16th century tiles from Iznik, as well as other renowned examples of art and pottery from Selcuk and Ottoman times. It is closed Mondays.
Anadolu Hisari is located on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. It is a small castle built during the 1390s by Sultan Beyazit. Together with Rumeli the two fortresses had complete control of passing transport between the Black Sea and the Marmara. Rumeli. It was constructed for preventing the city from the enemies.
Today, Rumeli has a small open-air theatre showing concerts and plays in summer and Anadolu is always open to explore the walls. There is also a popular café on the top, summer evenings for tea, served from great samovars, and light meals. Both fortresses have, of course, a great panoramic view of the Bosphorus.
Both of them have museum. Rumelihisarı Museum is 0pen between 09.00 and16.30 and can be visited everyday except Wednesdays.
Address: Yahya Kemal cad. No: 42 80830 Rumelihisarı-Istanbul
Tel: 0-212-2635305
Fax: 0-212-2650410
It is located on the south of city and is one of the important buildings of Istanbul. The walls of Yedikule are in shape of stars. There is one door on city side. No building was made adjacent to walls.
It also has a museum. which is open between 9.00 and 16.30 and can be visited everyday except Wednesdays.
Address: Kule Meydanı No:4 Yedikule-ISTANBUL
Tel: 0-212-5858933
It was built by the Genoese in 1348 for the purpose to prevent attacks. There is a spiral rock staircase ascending to the top viewing platform, which today offers visitors spectacular 360 degree panorama of the entire city. In 1967, it was restored and an elevator was installed. There is also a restaurant on the top floor.
It is located within the grounds of the central building of Istanbul University. This wooden tower was built for fire watchers, and remains a landmark throughout the city. It is 50m in height and accessible via wooden staircase. The tower offers a great overview of the city.
Polonezköy
It is 25 km. away from Istanbul. The village is founded at Asia coast by Polish immigrants during 19th century. The village has become a popular place Since the 1970s. Highlighted attraction of Polonezkoy is its vast green expanse, which was designated Istanbul’s first national park. Due to the popularity, it gets crowded at weekends and the hotels are usually full.
Üsküdar
It is one of the most cute holiday places of Istanbul. It also is pretty popular within locals. Uskudar is one of the most attractive suburbs. In the town’s background, it is religiously conservative. It has some fine examples of imperial and domestic architecture. The Iskele (Mihrimah Camii), Yeni Valide Camii (built in 1710), The Cinili Mosque (built in 1640) are mostly known mosques. Beside, Uskudar is also well-known shopping area. Its old market streets are full of shops selling traditional local products, and a good fleamarket with second hand furniture. There are several good restaurants and cafes with a great view of the Bosphorus.
Kilyos Beach
It is located at European side of Black Sea at 25th km. outside the Istanbul and is rather popular within Istanbul residents during summer months. It is the nearest beach resort to the city
Şile
Şile is located 50km from Üsküdar on the Black Sea coast and a pleasant and small holiday town. It has white sandy beaches that are easy to access from the main highway, lying on the west, as well as a series of small beaches at the east end.
There are several restaurants, bars and hotels at Şile.
Prince’s Islands/ Istanbul Islands
There are eight islands within one hour from the city and they are in the Marmara Sea. It is easy to find boats to the islands from Sirkeci, Kabatas and Bostanci, with more services during the summer. Buyukada is the largest and most popular one in Istanbul. Its most famous guest being on the island is Leon Trotsky, who stayed for four years to write ‘The History of the Russian Revolution’. Burgazada is smaller than Buyukada. Sait Faik Abasıyanık, a famous Turkish novelist, lived there and his house has been turned into a museum dedicated to his work. Heybeliada is wonderful for its natural beauty and beaches. It also has a highly prestigious and fashionable water sports club. The Naval High School, is located on the east side of the waterfront near the jetty is a high school since 1985. Activities to be done here are walking and cycling and visiting isolated beaches. There are plenty of good local restaurants and tea houses.
Regular ferry voyages and rapid sea bus service from Kabataş is available during summers.
Bayramoğlu - Darıca Bird Paradise and Botanic Park
It is 38 km. away from Istanbul. This gargantuan park with its trekking roads, restaurants is full of bird species and plants, coming from various parts of the world.
Silivri
It is a popular holiday place and located 65 km. away from Istanbul. There are magnificent restaurants, sports and health centres. There is also a conference center which attracts businessmen, who are escaping rapid tempo of urban life for "cultural tourism" and business - holiday mixed activities.
Golden Horn (Halic)
Halic divides European Istanbul and it is one of the best natural harbours in the world. It was the centre for the Byzantine and Ottoman navies and commercial shipping interests. It is a good location for walking and visiting the attractive parks, watching the sun set. Fener and Balat, by the Golden Horn, have several historical monuments; old wooden houses, churches, and synagogues dating from Byzantine and Ottoman times.
Beyoğlu and Taksim
Here is the centre of Istanbul and is an interesting example of a district with European-influenced architecture. District also has the second oldest subway of Europe, which was built by French in 1875. Here is one of the vital points for shopping entertainment and urban promenading of the city and even the country. It has to be definitely visited to feel the atmosphere of the centre. Its good and all kinds of restaurants, bars and night clubs, all kind of shops, Taksim and Beyoglu is a place to experience.
Sultanahmet
Highlighted areas of Sultanahmet are: Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofia, Sultan Ahmet Camii (the Blue Mosque), the Hippodrome, Kapali Carsi (Covered Market), Yerebatan Sarnici and the Museum of Islamic Art. It also has several carpet and souvenir shops, hotels and guesthouses, cafes, bars and restaurants, and travel agents.
Ortaköy
It has an attractive location on the Bosphorus, and very popular for residents and visitors. It has several kinds of historical monuments: mosque, church and synagogue, Ciragan Palace, Feriye, Princess Hotel.
Sarıyer
Sariyer is a place where the Bosphorus connects with the Black Sea, after the bend in the river after Tarabya. Old summer houses, embassies and fish restaurants line the river, and a narrow road which separates it from Buyukdere, continues along to the beaches of Kilyos.
Kadıköy
Kadıköy, located in the Anatolian side of Istanbul, has developed into a lively area with shopping, eating and entertainment. Kadikoy is one of the most enhanced districts of Istanbul.
Bagdat Caddesi (Bagdat Street), which is one of the most trendy and well known fashion shopping streets, is located in Kadikoy. Beside, the Gen Azim Gunduz Caddesi is the best place for clothes, and the bit pazari on Ozelellik Sokak is good for browsing through junk.
Belgrade Forest
It is located inside from Black Sea, at European Side and is the widest forest around Istanbul. Istanbul residents visit here for family picnics. Some natural resources in the region compose a different atmosphere.
