Istanbul is one of those iconic cities that is on the travel list of the world’s most passionate travelers. If you want to travel to Istanbul this year, surely you want to know more about this fascinating city, including its history, the places you must visit, what the city is like today to prepare you to travel this beautiful city and get to know Istanbul.
Let’s start at the beginning: a little history of Istanbul and Turkey.
What to wear?
Istanbul one of the most fascinating cities in the world, and also one of the oldest. During its more than 2,500 years of history, this city has been conquered by various empires, has changed its name and has been destroyed and rebuilt many times until it has become the fascinating megalopolis that it is today. For many centuries this city was known by the name of Constantinople , in honor of Constantine I, who conquered the city and converted it to Christianity.
The privileged location in which Istanbul is located, on the Bosphorus Strait, right at the junction between Asia and Europe, caused this city to be invaded on numerous occasions, therefore, Istanbul has been home to many empires, with different Cultures, religions and customs that have been mixed for centuries in this city, the result is much more than the sum of its parts: if you decide to visit Istanbul you will notice that the city has its own identity. Read more
What is Istanbul and Turkey like today?
Currently, Istanbul is the most important city in Turkey, it is not only the most populated city in the country, it is also the economic and cultural center. Thanks to this, in the last decades the city has been expanding and now includes many of the towns around it, forming a large metropolitan area.
There are many monuments, architectural works and other important historical places for tourism in Istanbul and Turkey , many of these areas were declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1985 for their historical importance.
Crowded and sometimes chaotic, the city is full of youthful energy despite its millenary history, today the city of Istanbul is synonymous with fascinating markets, excellent cafes, bars and restaurants and most of all, many places to visit. you must know.
Istanbul Travel Guide: Places you must know in Istanbul
All travel guides to Istanbul agree on the same thing: there are numerous mosques, churches, synagogues and historical palaces worth visiting throughout the city. Here we highlight only the best places you should visit in Istanbul :
The Blue Mosque , almost in front of Hagia Sophia, we find the Blue Mosque, built by order of Sultan Ahmet I at the beginning of the 17th century. This mosque continues to be used as a place of worship and prayer and has the capacity to host up to 10,000 people. Admission is free and you must respect Muslim dress rules .
Topkapi Palace : as expected there are several palaces to visit in Istanbul, but the most famous is Topkapi, it was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and residence of Sultans for almost four centuries, it is currently a museum open to the public.
Santa Sofia : this church is one of the masterpieces of Byzantine art, it was built in the 6th century, in the 13th century it was the Pope’s church, and after the Turkish invasion it was converted into a mosque. Santa Sofia is located at the highest point of the city, ideal for taking the best panoramic views. This is a place that you cannot miss when visiting Istanbul.
The Basilica Cistern: No Istanbul travel guide is complete without a visit to the Basilica Cistern, also known as the “Submerged Palace”, it is one of the cisterns that the Romans used to store water in case of war or siege. Today it is a museum with walkways at the water’s edge. Several movies have filmed scenes within this imposing work.
The Grand Bazaar : If you like to go shopping, or enjoy seeing curiosities, you cannot miss the Grand Bazaar when you travel to Istanbul. In this market you will find everything from jewelry, souvenirs, food, carpets and of course imitation clothing. A recommendation, go prepared to walk, do not forget to haggle.
Navigating the Bosphorus : You should not miss visiting the Bosphorus when traveling to Istanbul, this iconic strait, not only divides the city in two, but also separates two continents Asia and Europe. This tour will allow you to see the city from another point of view. The trip is not very expensive and is available all day.
Definitely, ancient Constantinople has a lot to offer. If you decide to visit Istanbul, you have to know these places and many others. Istanbul is a captivating city that offers visitors a part of modern Turkish life along with an immersion in history.