Nestled between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, Istanbul is a bubbling destination at the crossroads of East and West that is full of treasures.
We discover its history by visiting the palaces of the Ottoman sultans, we immerse ourselves in the daily life of ancient civilizations at the archaeological museum and we revel in its tasty local cuisine, known far beyond the borders of Turkey.
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Discover the Hagia Sophia
The Hagia Sophia is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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We walk through the Sultanahmet district towards the Hagia Sophia, born a Byzantine basilica in 537 under the Emperor Justinian, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-stop in Istanbul.
Perfect representation of the historical and religious heritage of the city, this building was successively converted into a mosque, then a museum before becoming a mosque again in July 2020 by decision of the Head of State Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
We admire its gigantic dome, its four pillars, its arches, its golden mosaics and colorful frescoes.
Then, we go up to the second floor to enjoy the superb view of the Blue Mosque.
GUIDED TOUR OF THE BASILICA
Marvel at the Blue Mosque
More than 20,000 blue ceramic tiles adorn the central dome of the mosque.
Luciano Mortula
After discovering the Hagia Sophia, we take the time to explore the lively Sultanahmet district, considered the historic heart of the city.
We stop on the eponymous square, and contemplate the majestic Blue Mosque with its six minarets.
Once inside, we raise our heads to look at the more than 20,000 blue ceramic tiles that adorn the central dome, the myriad of chandeliers and the 200 stained glass windows that offer a resplendent light.
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Visit the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Istanbul
This former palace will delight lovers of antiquities.
Yakov Filimonov
We continue the discoveries by going to the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, an old palace that will delight lovers of antiquities.
We walk through the rooms and admire the works of art, wooden objects or sculptures and ceramics.
We do not fail to observe the collections of handwritten calligraphy, the Korans and the collection of 1,700 carpets, one of the largest in the world.
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Enter the Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern is a sublime vestige of the Byzantine era.
Luciano Mortula
We pass the charming Sultanahmet Park to reach the Basilica Cistern of Emperor Justinian, a sublime vestige of the Byzantine era.
We enter this impressive underground cistern with the air of a basilica and let ourselves be transported by the mystical atmosphere.
We pass the some 336 columns, we walk on the footbridges which overhang the water and we stop in front of the heads of Medusa sculpted in the columns, at the north-west corner.
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Explore Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace immerses visitors in the history of Constantinople.
Nikolaeva Svetlana (Zzvet)
We walk a few minutes to the tip of the Serail to reach Topkapi Palace, a 700,000 m² site once inhabited by Ottoman sultans.
Now it is a museum that delves into the history of Constantinople.
We walk in the four courtyards, we visit the Sainte-Irene church and the old stables.
Then, we enter the extraordinary Treasury, a room that houses precious objects, before going to the harem, with its superb tiled rooms.
Ideally, the palace should be visited in the early morning to avoid too many travelers.
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Visit Suleymaniye Mosque
The Suleymaniye Mosque sits on a hill.
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We discover the district of Suleymaniye and we enter the eponymous mosque, majestically placed on a hill.
An architectural masterpiece with its large dimensions and central dome, it was built by the famous architect Mimar Sinan.
We walk on the esplanade with the pretty fountain and we let ourselves be captivated by the fascinating details of the interior, such as the 138 windows which filter the outside light.
Moreover, the 4 minarets underline the fact that Suleiman the Magnificent was the fourth sultan of Istanbul.
VISIT THE MOSQUES OF ISTANBUL
Antiquing in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar
Istanbul Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
MELNYK BOHDANBohdan Melnyk
We walk in the old town in the heart of the Faith district and we enter the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul (closed on Sundays), a huge market of 45,000 m² which makes it one of the largest in the world.
We get lost in this festival of colors and smells, we stroll through the aisles with thousands of stalls and we let ourselves be tempted by local gems such as carpets, jewelry or even handmade ceramics.
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Stroll through the Jewish quarter of Balat
The houses with colorful facades of Balat, the old Jewish quarter of Istanbul.
Maria Kasimova
We head west of the city, towards Balat, the old Jewish quarter on the banks of the Golden Horn.
We walk through the maze of cobbled streets, we contemplate the unique character of the colorful houses, we visit the synagogues and we linger in one of the adorable cafes.
Here, we take advantage of the ambient calm, the absence of tourists and we let ourselves be carried away by the authentic historical atmosphere.
EXPLORE THE DISTRICT WITH A GUIDE
Reach Ortaköy Square and its mosque
The Ortaköy Mosque is located on the banks of the Bosphorus.
Ilhan Balta
We discover another facet of the city by exploring Ortaköy, nestled in the district of Beşiktaş.
We immerse ourselves in the animation of this lively and trendy district, we walk the cobbled streets and we visit the Ortaköy mosque, on the banks of the Bosphorus.
We land on one of the terraces of the Ortaköy square and we taste a local specialty, such as borek, a puff pastry, or balik ekmek, a fish sandwich.
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Take a cruise on the Bosphorus
Discover the city on a floating promenade.
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We take advantage of the splendor of the shores of the Bosphorus to take a cruise on this strait with turquoise water.
We board a boat, cruise around the city on a floating promenade, observe the Galata Bridge up close and admire the mosques, palaces, mansions and other monuments along the water.
Some cruises are offered at dusk to better admire the sun setting over the Bosphorus, an unforgettable sight.
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