1. The People.
It is no accident that the People of Istanbul are No. 1 on my list. Turkish people are honest, ever helpful and surprising in their quirkiness.
Vendor at the Talarbasi Sunday Market, Istanbul.
2. The Mosques.
The imposing Blue Mosque has deserved top billing amongst the more than 3000 Mosques in Istanbul, while the diminutive hidden Rustem Pasha Mosque is prone to stealing hearts.
The mosque shown below, presiding atop one of the famed seven hills and overlooking the Golden Horn was built for Suleyman the Magnificent between 1550 and 1557 and it truly is magnificent. Entry is free to all Mosques but they cannot be visited during prayers.
The Suleymaniye Mosque.
3. Istiklal Caddesi.
Both modern and traditional at the same time, Istiklal Caddesi is the street that embraces locals and tourists equally. Istiklal means Independence in Turkish but before assuming this name, it was known as the Grand Rue de Pera. The atmosphere of pedestrian bustle, iconic trams and Dondurma vendors is addictive, especially in the early evening when the festive lights work their magic.
I suggest staying in the Beyoglu District so that a stroll down Istiklal becomes a twice daily event, providing twice the entertainment.
4. The Food.
The renowned Turkish Village breakfast is too good to pass up and this rather special one was found at Cafe Privato in the Galata District, the rendezvous for a blogger’s brunch. Our co-conspirators for the feast being Jenny from A Taste of Travel, Jo from Frugal First Class Travel. Is there anything better than a group of bloggers meeting up on the road with an endless supply of food and chatter? I think not.
I would not class Cafe Privato as a budget option, but the Turkish breakfast is superb and worth the money.
5. The Galata Bridge and Tower.
Sydney is the most well-known city in our home country of Australia and the Sydney Harbour Bridge the most well known and loved feature of that city (hand in hand with the Opera House of course). In parallel, Istanbul is certainly Turkey’s most celebrated city, even though like Sydney it is not the Capital.
The Galata Bridge and Tower, that’s it shown below, are what I associate with and love most about Istanbul. Galata is a great place to stay in Istanbul for first timers. We stayed there and each day offered a jaunt across the Galata Bridge passing the ever-hopeful fishermen and for one week we lived in the shadow of that enchanting Rapunzel like tower – Galata Tower.
As early morning fades, the restaurants below Galata Bridge fill up with patrons eager for Balik Emek, the traditional Turkish fish sandwich.
Entrance Fees. Bridge Free. Tower 12tl. Balik Emek 6tl.
Galata Bridge joining historical Sultanahmet with the trending district of Beyoglu, with the waters of the Golden Horn flowing beneath.
6. The Basilica Cistern.
It takes a while for the eyes to adjust when first entering this cool damp Byzantine cistern (532). It was rediscovered in 1545 when locals revealed they could retrieve water by simply lowering buckets beneath their floorboards, neglected by the Ottomans and finally restored in 1985 and opened to the public in 1987. It originally held 80,000 cu m of water delivered by 20km of aqueducts from a reservoir on the Black Sea coast. Peer into the pools of reflected light at the schools of carp, and don’t forget to locate the Medusa Head pillars (just follow the crowds).
Entrance 10tl. The cool factor on a hot day – priceless.
7. Hagia Sophia.
Designed by a mathematician and a physicist originally as a Greek Basilica (537), changing into a Mosque (1453-1935) and then a Museum (1935 till today) – how many lives can one building have?
Considered the perfect example of Byzantine architecture, the huge dome had forty windows inserted beneath, giving it the illusion from within of floating on light.
Emperor Justinian spared no expense in the then basilica’s construction – columns were pilfered from Ephesus, and coloured stone and marble brought from as far as Syria and Egypt. Byzantine emperors were crowned here on the marble square in the main floor. I loved the muted pink of the exterior walls, but the interior expanse needs to be seen to be appreciated.
Entrance 25tl.
8. The Palaces.
The Topkapi Palace sprawls beside the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia on a hill in Sultanahmet, strategically overlooking the Bosphorus Straits.
The Sultans, Courtiers, Eunuchs and concubines of the Ottoman Court lived a life of intrigue at Topkapi between the 15th and 19th Centuries. Go for the Harem, gold treasures, multiple decorated pavilions and unforgettable views from the Treasury Terrace. The huge Palace Kitchens house Chinese porcelain that reportedly changes colour if tainted by poison – a handy thing to possess in treacherous times. The Iznik Tiles, Gilded Mirrors, Jewels, Costumes, pools and exotic furnishings of the Topkapi palace are impressive. HERE are some more Istanbul Palaces.
Palace 25tl, Harem 15tl. Purchase both at the main entrance.
Topkapi Palace taken from the Kadikoy Ferry.
The Topkapi Palace Harem interior with it’s striking tiles, patterns and glazing.
9. The Markets.
A visit to the Grand Bazaar is traditionally Istanbul’s tantamount shopping experience, but today many save their gift buying for the Arasta Bazaar, hidden away near the Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet which supposedly offers a more peaceful experience. Why not try both?
We purchased some fresh dates at the Spice Market (priced according to quality) and although ours was not a budget buy they were the best dates I have ever eaten.
The Spice Market.
10. Water Views and Ferries.
It is said that the Bosphorus divides Europe and Asia – splitting Istanbul between the two. Before we arrived I imagined that the European side of Istanbul would be more European in flavour than the Asian, but the difference is purely geographical – all of Istanbul is distinctly Turkish.
Once visited, Istanbul can not be thought of without envisaging water, ferries, fishermen and gulls.
The Bosphorus on it’s way through Istanbul links the inland Black Sea with the Sea Of Marmara and then on through the Dardanelles (the straits near the Gallipoli Peninsula) to the Agean Sea. The Princes Islands in the Sea of Marmara can be reached by Ferry from Istanbul and are a popular day trip.
In the photo below the Bosphorus is directly ahead, the Sea of Marmara on the right and to the left (unseen) is the Golden Horn.
Photo taken from the Topkapi Palace Treasury terrace.
Cengelkoy a district of Istanbul on the Asian shore. ThIs photo is taken looking back toward the Topkapi Palace positioned on the central distant hill.
The waters of the Golden Horn inlet from the hill district of EYUP.
Ferries are vital for commuting workers but should also be on every tourists’ to do list. The Kadikoy Ferry is one ferry that links The European and Asian shores providing a different view of the sights for only 3tl. For a lot more, dedicated cruises ply the 31km length of the Bosphorus complete with commentary.
The Real Reason to Visit Istanbul.
Despite the terrain, much of this City built on seven hills (in Turkish Yedi tepeli şehir) is walkable, and what better excuse – than that of screaming calf muscles – is there to stop for that tulip glass of tea, or nostalgic turkish coffee, or to partake in a Dondurma Magic Act. After all is said and done, the only reason anyone needs to visit Istanbul are those everyday yet exotic sights, sounds, smells and tastes that are just waiting to be discovered.
This post is linked to Nancie’s Budget Travelers Sandbox Travel Photo Thursday.
Hey! Where’s “my” map, Jan?? 🙂 How ironic because since you put up your first post about Istanbul I didn’t know where it was located on the map. I told you I’m a map “addict”. So back then with your first post on Istanbul (at least that I read since I’ve followed you) I pulled up and I found The Bosphorus with Bing Maps. NOW a picture of it from you! This MADE my day and thank you, our friend!! 🙂 I wish I had been able to join you, Jenny, Jo and Megan at Cafe Privato!! OMG that looks incredible! Great post!
I totally forgot it Mike – I thought I would never get that post finished 🙂 You would have loved the turkish breakfast and if we sat at the streetside balcony Phoenix could even have joined us I guess.
I’ve wanted to go to Istanbul for so long – this post just pushed it a bit further up the list! It looks like such an amazing city – the sights, the sounds, the smells….and, of course, the food. That Turkish breakfast looks wonderful!
I hoped to convey how wonderful I think it is Molly S, so I am glad you think so too.
Stunning images … Turkey is one of the places I would love to visit, this post pushes Istanbul waaaay up my bucket list 🙂
Great to hear Rachel – you wont be disappointed.
All great reasons to visit Istanbul Jan. it really is such an exciting city and I agree..the people are so friendly. I can’t wait to go back later in the year though going back to Cafe Privato will not be the same without you, Jo and Megan!
Doing this post makes me feel like I am back there Jenny. I’ll be with you in spirit 🙂
You’re doing a great job of sharing how wonderful Turkey is. I’m not surprised you spent so long there. For some reason, I was surprised by all the women in the photos wearing tank tops. I think I expected them to be more covered up since there are so many beautiful mosques in the city.
It depends on where you are in Turkey Michele. Some places nearly everyone is covered, but Istanbul is more progressive.
I’ll be bookmarking this post, Jan, so that when I do get to Turkey I won’t miss any of these highlights. Though I’m not sure which of your 10 I’d want to see first – they all sound like they should be top of your list. I always thought Morocco was the place to rev all five senses into overdrive but now I think Turkey’s up there as well. Thanks for this post.
Turkey is not as raw as Morocco but it is a great country to visit.
Hi Jan! What a fantastic post. Your photographs are gorgeous (as always). That breakfast spread is out of this world. I love the shot of the cistern. You should apply for a job with the Turkish tourist bureau. You could write some awesome travel brochures for them.
Thanks Nancie, Turkish breakfasts are certainly unique.
Oh, this post really makes me regret canceling my trip to Istanbul this summer! My friend and I were in doubt whether to go to Tuscany or Istanbul. In the end we chose for Tuscany, which I am also really looking forward too of course! But I’ve wanted to go to Istanbul for ages. I am especially looking forward to the bazaars and mosques. And eating some delicious foods 🙂
You will love Tuscany Sacha. Istanbul will be waiting for you on your next trip 🙂
Hi Jan, great post! You captured the essence of one of my favorite cities. I completely agree that these are top reasons to visit. If I may add one thing – the Turkish Bath! It’s great to virtually revisit Istanbul through your post.
Hi and thanks Marisol, Ah yes the turkish bath. I had one in Cannakale but not in Istanbul 🙂
These photos are so beautiful and so inviting, Jan. I have longed to go to Istanbul for a long time. If only I can convince my husband to go sooner rather than later. Glad to see there’s so much to do here but most especially that the shopping, food and people just as great reasons to visit as the architecture and history.
Never mind if you don’t get there soon Mary, somehow I don’t see Istanbul changing in the immediate future. 🙂 I know how pesky husband’s can be 🙂
i love visiting markets when travelling, and istanbuls look amazing. I cant wait to visit Turkey later this year, and these beautiful photos make me want to visit even sooner !! 🙂
The Food! The Food Every Time!
Jan, you’ve given me 10 reasons to move Istanbul higher up my list! Your photos are gorgeous! The food, oh the food, looks amazing! And to share it with other bloggers? That’s really special!
Hi Amy, fast track Istanbul up to the top of your list, I would 🙂
Stopping for a tulip glass of tea sound lovely. What a greay list of reasons to visit Turkey … yes to exotic sights, sounds, smells and tastes..
I always drink tea with milk in Australia, but in Turkey I drank black tea from tulip glasses and loved it!