Ten things to see and do in Istanbul

In this article we are going to propose ten things to see and do in Istanbul, the largest city in Türkiye, although the administrative capital of the country is Ankara. It is located on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait, That separates Europe de Asia, which is why, perhaps, it is the only city in the world that belongs to two continents.

Founded as Byzantium in the 7th century BC and renamed Constantinople in the IV of our era, it has a history as long as it is rich. It has been the capital of several empires such as the Byzantine and the Ottoman and its oldest areas are classified as Heritage. For all this, there is a lot you have to see and do in Istanbul. Next, we propose ten essential things.

What you can't miss if you go to Istanbul

Firstly, there are so many and so spectacular monuments in the city that it is difficult to recommend just a few. Among them, of course, must be their impressive mosques. Later, we will stop at two of them. But we could also talk to you about that of Çamlica, which is among the largest in the world as it has capacity for more than 37 people. Or the Fatih mosque, which is one of the best exponents of classical Turkish-Islamic architecture.

Also, you have to see the galata tower, which belongs to the Byzantine era, and the Rumelia castle, called in the native language Rumeli hisar. The latter is a spectacular 15th century fortress built by the sultan  Mehmed II and is made up of three main towers and more than ten complementary watchtowers, all joined by high walls. In addition, it had housing for soldiers, a small mosque and other facilities.

Anyway, the Beyazit tower, Dolmabahce Palace or Mosaic Museum These are other wonders that you can visit in Istanbul. But now we must focus on the greatest monuments of the Bosphorus city. We go with them.

Hagia Sophia

Probably, it is the great symbol of Istanbul. In fact, it appears in all the panoramic photographs taken of the city. It was inaugurated in the year 537 as a Byzantine Orthodox cathedral, although it had a period of approximately fifty years when it became a Roman Catholic church. Later, after the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans, it was converted into a mosque.

To give you an idea of ​​its colossal dimensions, we will tell you that it was the largest cathedral in the world until the one in Sevilla. A good example of them is its enormous dome which has a diameter of almost thirty-two meters and which in its time was considered the best exponent of Byzantine architecture.

But, if it is spectacular on the outside, it houses no less beauty on the inside. They stand out its impressive mosaics and other elements like the mihrab, indicator of Mecca and, therefore, where the prayer should go. Likewise, it is flanked by two enormous candelabras taken during the conquest of Hungary.

The blue Mosque

It is located opposite the previous one, only a beautiful garden separates them, and it is also known for Sultan Ahmed I Mosque, since it was this 17th century ruler who ordered its construction. It is also among the ten things to see and do in Istanbul because it is an impressive monument.

In fact, until just eight years ago it was the only one that had six minarets, as many as the temple of Mecca. Likewise, its dome has a diameter of 23 meters and a height of 43. All this will give you an idea of ​​how spectacular the Blue Mosque is.

But even more you will be surprised by what you will find inside. It owes its name to the 20 000 blue ceramic tiles that adorn its ceiling. They arrived from Nice and they were made by hand. But they also stand out its more than 200 stained glass windows and its beautiful mihrab.

As we have told you, this name is given to the place of the temple that indicates the Qibla or direction of Mecca. The one in the Blue Mosque is made of marble and is finely sculpted. In addition, tiles also surround it. On the other hand, the construction has the Royal Pavilion.

Topkapi Palace, another visit among the ten things to see and do in Istanbul

Built by the sultan Mehmed II In the 15th century, it was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire until 1853, when another sultan, Abdulmecid, moved to the Dolmabahce palace. You will find it on the promontory of Seraglio, which separates the Golden Horn and the Sea of ​​Marmara. Therefore, it offers you unparalleled views of the Bosphorus.

It is made up of several buildings that, together with the gardens, make up a total area of ​​700 square meters, which will give you an idea of ​​its magnificence. Likewise, it is surrounded by a Byzantine wall that is overcome through beautiful doors like the Imperial or the Reception.

Among its rooms are the harem, the royal stables and kitchens, pavilions such as the mantle and the Sacred Relics or the Council Room. But one of the most important elements is the treasure, which has several rooms where unique pieces in the world are exhibited. For example, him Spooner's Diamond, which has 88 carats, or the Topkapi dagger, which, with its encrusted emeralds, is considered the most expensive weapon in the world.

The Basilica Cistern

Your visit is, without a doubt, another of the ten things to see and do in Istanbul. To give you an idea of ​​its spectacular nature, we will tell you that it is also known as the Sunken Palace. This is because it was a water tank. But, specifically, it was located under a mosque and supplied the Byzantine Palace and was in keeping with their beauty. In fact, it was built by order of the emperor Justinian I 532 the year.

It has dimensions of 140 meters long by 70 meters wide and nine meters high. Likewise, it consists of 336 columns of the most varied architectural styles. But among them two stand out that are based on paths Medusa heads.

Suleiman Mosque

Named after the sultan Suleiman I, who ordered its construction in the mid-2019th century. It was the largest in the city until XNUMX, when it was surpassed by Çamlica. Its designer was Architect Sinan, imperial architect, who, curiously, conceived it with contrasting criteria to Hagia Sophia. As a result, this is much simpler, rational and symmetrical.

Externally, it stands out its spectacular peristyle or gallery of marble columns joined by arches and their four minarets. But also its imposing dome, almost 27 meters in diameter, 53 meters high and flanked by semidomes. As for the interior, the decoration is achieved based on Iznik tiles, marble and woodwork. Also, as with almost all large mosques, Suleiman's has several annex buildings. This is what is called the the complex and is made up, among others, of a hamman (set of baths), madrassas (Koranic schools), caravansaray (inn) and gardens.

Don't return from Istanbul without…

But the beautiful city of the Bosphorus offers you many other attractions, in addition to its wonderful monuments. There is a large number of activities What you can do on your visit to the ancient capital of Türkiye and that they will leave you an indelible memory. Below, we propose some of the most fun and unforgettable ones.

Finding peace in a hammam

As we just indicated, hammam is the name given to famous people Turkish baths. Its origin is probably in the Roman terms, since they have the same purpose, apart from cleanliness: to relax and cleanse the body of impurities.

It would be impossible for us to mention all those that exist in Istanbul because there are hundreds. But, so that you can choose the one you prefer, we will tell you that the most famous are those of But Hammam, located near Taksim Square, and Cemberlites, next to the Grand Bazaar, which we will tell you about below.

Shop at the Grand Bazaar

Located in the heart of the old city, it is one of the largest bazaars on the planet. The figures will confirm it: it has about 36 useful square meters, 000 streets, around 64 shops and receives around 4000 visitors a day.

In it you can find almost everything, but, mainly, jewelry, goldsmithing, textiles and spices. To find your way around such a large space, it is important that you know that its streets are named after the unions that work in them. For example, Kalpakçilar It is the street of the leather sellers Jewelers It is that of the jewelers.

Taking a boat ride on the Bosphorus, sailing along it is another of the ten things to see and do in Istanbul

As we have already told you, the Bosphorus It is the strait that separates Europe from Asia, connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of ​​Marmara. Its length is 30 kilometers and its maximum width is four. Likewise, it has two bridges: that of Bogazici and that of Sultan Mehmed.

You can choose between two types of cruises. The simplest one reaches the height of the aforementioned Rumelia castle, which dominates the strait. But, if you have more time, you can do the longest one by taking the boat to Bogaz Ikelesi, which lasts about three hours round trip and allows you to visit that town.

Watch the sunset from Üsküdar

We have already mentioned in passing the Golden horn. It is an estuary at the entrance to the Bosphorus Strait. Sailing through it you will reach the district of Uskudar, located in the Anatolian area of ​​Istanbul. But the most important thing is that it offers you one of the best sunsets What you can see in the area. In fact, in ancient times this district was known as Crysopolis, that is, City of Gold. And many point out that it was due to the reflection that the sun caused in the sea at sunset. Therefore, seeing it in Üsküdar is another of the ten things to see and do in Istanbul.

Eat a kebab at the Spice Market

This market is located in the neighborhood of Eminonu and it is the second largest in Istanbul after the Grand Bazaar, which we have already told you about. It is also one of the oldest, dating back to the mid-17th century. But, above all, it is one of the best places for you to eat a tasty kebab. Not in vain, there are all kinds of spices to season it.

In conclusion, we have shown you ten things to see and do in Istanbul. But, inevitably, we have left other visits and activities in the pipeline. For example, among the first, the church of Saint Irene, which was the first temple of Byzantium and today is a museum, or the mosques of Arap and Zeyrek. Come and discover this beautiful city of Türkiye.