As a country situated at the crossroad of Europe and Asia, Istanbul represents a wide range of historical architecture, and glamorous and distinctive culture. Nowadays, Istanbul becomes one of the most tourist attractions places in the world. There are plenty of places to visit in Istanbul.
In this Article, as Manolya Tours, we are going to suggest the top most sightseeing places in Istanbul.
Hagia Sophia Mosque
It is one of Istanbul’s excellent historical places. First, it was constructed for the Christian church in the 500s. Then during the Ottoman Era, it transferred into a mosque.
Nowadays, it is a museum and people from all over the world come to see this authentic structural masterpiece.
So, if you visit Hagia Sophia Mosque, you will have the chance to witness the extremely beautiful architecture that was left over from the Byzantine and Ottoman Empire eras.
Hagia Sophia Mosque can be considered a mystical symbol of Turkey, which shows Turkey’s link with Islam and Christianity.
Therefore, under the name of Manolya Tours, we highly recommend Hagia Sophia to be counted as the first tourist place in Istanbul.Hagia Sophia Mosque is one of the Sightseeing places in Istanbul
Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)
Sultanahmet Mosque was built in 1609-1617. It is known as Blue Mosque, but the official name of the mosque is Sultanahmet Mosque.
There are 21 thousand blue ceramic tiles adorning the interior of the mosque with 260 windows. When the sunlight came into the mosque, it takes blue colour.
The Mosque is closed during prayer hours and needs to obey some rules before you visit this mosque. If you join one of our tours, being Manolya Tours, we will be glad to help you and give you information about this famous mosque.
Topkapi Palace
The Topkapi Palace is the biggest and one of the most popular museums in Istanbul. It was built with the order of Fatih Sultan Mehmet who conquered İstanbul in the 15th century on top of a hill in the Historical Peninsula. Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayı) is a complex of kiosks and pavilions contained by four courtyards.
The Palace was the political center of the Ottoman Empire from the 15th to the 19th century. Many Ottoman Sultans lived here for 380 years and later on moved to Dolmabahce Palace.
It is a museum today and pretty busy during the high season. If you join one of our Daily Fast Track Topkapi Palace Tours, which is included on the Manolya Tours website, you can skip the line of the museum and get enough information about the museum. Topkapi Palace is one of the Sightseeing places in Istanbul.
Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace is one of the most beautiful Ottoman Palaces and the biggest royal residence of the sultans and the imperial family of the Ottoman Empire. If you want to visit Istanbul, this palace must be on the list of your visit places.
The Palace has 285 rooms and 43 salons. It was built in 1843-1856 by Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid. They spend a lot of money to build it and used tons of gold for inner decoration. The ceremonial hall is so impressive with its 4.5-ton chandelier.
After the foundation of the Turkish Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed at the Palace during his visit to İstanbul and died there on November 10, 1938, at 09:05.
Dolmabahce Palace is pretty busy during high season and may take a long time to visit this Palace. If you join one of our Daily Dolmabahce Palace Tours addressed on the Manolya Tours website, you can skip the line of the museum and get information about it.
If you want to visit this museum, please keep in mind that it is closed on Monday.
Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern (Underground Cistern, Yerebatan) is one of the most famous cisterns in Istanbul. It was built during Byzantine Empire and later on not used by Ottoman Empire. It is a museum since 1988.
You will also see Medusa Heads at the end of Cistern as well. It is really busy during high season. As Manolya Tours, we recommend you to join one of our Fast Track Basilica Cistern Tours, you can skip the line of cistern and get enough information.
Basilica Cistern is one of the Sightseeing places in Istanbul.
Hippodrome
The Hippodrome originally was built by Roman Emperor Septimius Severus in 203 and was a horse-racing track. But it was not only used for Chariot Races during the Byzantine Empire.
They used to organize Court Ceremonies, Coronations and Parades also took place at the Hippodrome, too. But it got its final shape with the order of Emperor Constantine the Great in 324.
German Fountain
The German Fountain is a fountain styled as a gazebo and is the central cornerstone of Sultanahmet Square (old hippodrome). To mark the second anniversary of German Emperor Wilhelm II’s trip to Istanbul in 1898, it was constructed in Germany, shipped piece by piece, and put together in 1900 in its present location.
The octagonal dome of the Neo-Byzantine fountain is supported by eight marble columns, and its interior is decorated with golden mosaics. German Fountain is one of the Sightseeing places in Istanbul.
Hagia Irene Church
Hagia Irene Church is an Eastern Orthodox church also familiar as Saint Irene situated in the exterior part of the courtyard of Topkapi Palace. Nowadays this church functions as a museum and auditorium.
Little Hagia Sophia Mosque
Once Little Hagia Sophia Mosque (church) is known as the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus. It was constructed between the years 532 and 536, and then at the time of the Ottoman Empire, it was transformed into a mosque.
Taksim Square (Taksim Meydan)
Taksim Square is one of the most known city centers of Istanbul and many famous hotels, restaurants are located nearby the Square or on the famous Istiklal Street. Istiklal Pedestrian Street has many bars, nightclubs and movie theaters. Cars are not allowed to enter this street.
That is why it’s always busy with people almost 24 hours a day. Taksim Square is the meeting place to celebrate New Year’s Eve Parties, parades and some public concerts. So, if you visit this place, you will experience a different environment over there.
The Independence Monument is standing at the beginning of Istiklal pedestrian street. There is an Old Tram which is the only vehicle permitted on Istiklal Street besides official (police and government) cars.
Therefore, As Manolya Tours, we advise that if you come to Istanbul, you must walk on this street. There are many nice old buildings, cafes, famous brand shops, bars, clubs, restaurants and churches. Taksim Square is one of the Sightseeing places in Istanbul.
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is one of the biggest and most ancient concealed markets in the world including 61 roads and more than 4,000 shops. It is also considered one of the earliest marketplaces in the world. That is why you need to put it on your list even if you don’t do shopping.
Grand Bazaar is over 500 years old and very famous for its carpets, leather, ceramics, souvenirs and jewelry. There are about 60 restaurants, 18 fountains, 12 mosques and even a school.
You should check the number of the Gate which you entered inside to not get lost in this chaos. Because there are 22 gates for the bazaar. Even Our guides from Manolya Tours will help you to make bargain in the bazaar. Grand bazaar is one of the Sightseeing places in Istanbul.
Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)
It was built in 1660 and products were shipped from everywhere within and outside of Ottoman lands. The name “Mısır” meaning Egypt was given to the market. Because the market was built with the funds of incoming Egyptian taxes. The market displays a source full of Turkish Breakfast.
You will explore a breakfast market in the morning and will assemble several collections of Turkish breakfast items encompassing honey, olives, fresh cheeses, buffalo cream, hazelnut paste, dried beef pastrami, fresh simit, fresh poğaça, and will taste those items with popular Turkish tea and Menemen (scrambled eggs in Turkish style) at a traditional tea house.
Have the pleasure of hearing from your guide fascinating and compelling stories about culture and the way of life in Turkey, and at the same time thinking about whether it could be the most beloved breakfast for you ever.
Istanbul Old City Walls
The City Walls are built by Constantine the Great. They have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople for long years.
Bosphorus Strait
During the Istanbul food tour, you will pass over the magnificent Bosphorus by ferry to visit the modernized and fashionable places of Kadıköy in part of Asia. Kadıköy is a place of one of the finest restaurants in Istanbul.
Bosphorus Cruise by Boat
Bosphorus By Boat is an amazing cruise between Europe and Asia. You can see very nice places, mosques, and fortresses on the Bosphorus such as Ciragan Palace, Ortakoy Mosque, Military High School, and Rumeli Fortress.
Golden Horn
The Golden Horn is a main metropolitan waterway and the major inlet of the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul.
Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges
The Bosphorus Bridge is unofficially known as the First Bridge, combining Europe and Asia. From the sea level, the bridge is 64 m high.
After the building of the Bosphorus Bridge in 1973, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge also familiar as the Second Bosphorus Bridge constructed in 1988, is titled after the Ottoman Empire Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. It also combines Europe and Asia together.
Kadikoy Bazaar
In this area, you will have the chance to bite, drink and chew while walking through the local Kadıköy market as your guide describes the vibrant and multicolored shops and products.
It will be an opportunity for you to bring your cameras and capture all the colorful and lively parts of the Kadikoy Bazaar that creates the aura of famous Turkish cuisine.
Pierre Loti Hill
The name of this hill is named after the legendary French writer who lived in Istanbul for many years and was very affectionate for Istanbul. First, we will climb the hill by bus, then you can visit the place and take photos of the excellent scenery of the Golden Horn.
Camlica Hill
It is 268 meters above sea level. On the hill, there are 18 radio and tv towers. There are many nice restaurants and cafes.
Çırağan Palace
This was an ancient Ottoman mansion, today it becomes a five-star hotel in the group of Kempinski Hotels, situated on the European coast of the Bosphorus.
Beylerbeyi Palace
The Beylereyi Palace is situated on the Asian coast of the Bosphorus. This beautiful place represents the last period of the Ottoman Empire, and French Empress Eugenie visited and was charmed by the beauty of this place.
Rumeli and Anatolian Fortresses
Rumeli Fortress also called Rumelian Castle is a medieval and antique fortress, situated on a range of hillsides on the European border of the Bosphorus in Istanbul.
Anatolian Fortress is called Anatolian Castle and the Beauteous castle is an antique fortress of the Ottoman, placed on the Asian border of the Bosphorus.
Girl’s Tower (Maiden’s Tower)
This tower is also called Leander’s Tower in the Byzantine era, located on a tiny isle in the south part of the Bosphorus strait, 200 m from the shore of Üsküdar, İstanbul.
Heybeliada Island
Heybeliada is one of the second biggest of the Princes’ Islands in the Marmara Sea close to Istanbul. The Turkish meaning of the island’s name refers to the valley between two hillsides.
Buyukada Island
The Turkish meaning of Buyukada is Big Island and is the most famous and the biggest of the Princes’ Islands in the Marmara Sea close to Istanbul, including the territory of approximately 2 square miles.
