Places to See

GRAND BAZAAR

Istanbul's grand old bazaar with an estimated 4400 shops lined along covered walkways. It is said to be the world's oldest shopping mall, covers several blocks and features a labrynth of side streets to keep you lost for the better part of a day. The shops are organized around their wares, e.g. the silver jewelers are clustered together, the carpet shops are clustered elsewhere and the shoe shops are bunched together somewhere else. Parts of it now rather touristy and you're likely to pay a little more for your purchase than elsewhere but with the vast selection you'll find what you're looking for and it's one of Istanbul's character pieces.

HAGHIA SOFIA (AYA SOFYA)

Sultanahmet Square
(by tram: Sultanahmet)
Tu-Su 9:00am-7:30pm. Dating from the sixth century, originally a basilica constructed for the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. A masterwork of Roman engineering, the huge 30m diameter dome covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world. The basilica was looted in 1204 during the fourth Crusade, and became a mosque in the 15th century when the minarets were added. It was turned into a museum in 1930's. Don't miss the excellent mosaics, including those in the gallery, reached by a stone ramp to the left of the entrance.

TOPKAPI PALACE

For centuries, the Western world was fascinated by the marvels and mysteries of the Ottoman Empire and the sultans who ruled their vast domains from the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Built by Sultan Mehmed II, "the Conqueror" after his army stormed and sacked Constantinopole in 1453, the palace served as the home of the sultans and their court until the mid-19th century.

Recently the palace serves as a museum where unique monuments such as Kaşıkçı Diamond, one of the most valuable 22 diamonds in the world, is exhibited.

SULTANAHMET MOSQUE (BLUE MOSQUE)

At Meydam Street 17, Sultanahmet (by tram: Sultanahmet) With its six minarets and sweeping architecture the Sultanahmet or 'Blue' Mosque impresses from the outside. Unlike Haghia Sophia, this is still a working mosque, entry is through the courtyard on the SW side. No shorts or bare shoulders (shawls are provided) and you will need to remove your footwear.

BASILICA CISTERN

Yerebatan Street Sultanahmet. It doesn't sound like much, but this giant underground cistern built by Justinian in 532 to provide water to the city in cases of siege, and later consacrated as a basilica, is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Istanbul. A wooden walkway winds between the pillars, and lights and piped music add to the eerie atmosphere.

THE DOLMABAHCE PALACE

The Dolmabahce Palace is located at the European side of the Bosphorus. The palace served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1853 to 1922, apart from a ten-year period (1889-1909) in which the Yildiz Palace was used. Dolmabahce was originally a bay in the Bosphorus which was filled gradually during the 18th century to become an imperial garden, much appreciated by the Ottoman sultans. Dolmabahce Palace Museum is open to public on weekdays from 9:00 to 15:00, except Mondays and Thursdays.