Top 10 Historic Places in Istanbul to Ease Your Trip

When it comes to "Historic Places", it is quite hard to choose between all of the "must-see and must-do"s in Istanbul… So I’ve made this list to ease your tour planning efforts…

But remember, this Top 10 is just a quick glimpse of Istanbul, only to give you the idea of the richness of the history, diversity culture, and daily life…

Think of it like this: You only smell a delicious, freshly baked brownie, didn’t even see it, let alone tasting it…

If you have limited time to discover this city of excitement, then this is just the right list for you:

If you are interested even slightly, in the exotic world of the Ottoman Empire Era, Topkapi Palace is the right place to start.

The famous riots of the soldiers in the outer courtyards, the intrigues of the wives and mothers of the Sultans, the struggles between the viziers all took place here.

Today buildings in the palace are housing the collections of the precious treasures of the East and are open to public. Six hundred years of Ottoman Empire history is behind the thick walls of this palace, waiting to be discovered.

If you are really in a hurry then choose only:

"The Kitchens" in the second courtyard,
"The Harem" adjacent to the third courtyard,
"The Imperial Treasury" in the third courtyard,
"The Fourth Courtyard" at the Northern end of the palace, which provides magnificent views.

You can buy your tickets just before you reach the gate, next to the Executioner's Fountain.

It will save you time to be there before the doors open because usually busloads of people arrive at 9:30 – 10:00. Otherwise your precious minutes will be lost in the ticket queue.

Where exactly?: You can see it in Sultanahmet, behind the Hagia Sophia Museum. The main entrance, Imperial Gate is beyond the North-east corner of Hagia Sophia Church Museum.
Opening hours: 09:00 – 16:00 (closed on Tuesdays)
Entrance fee: for the Palace: 20 TL, for the Harem: 15 TL
Adress: Sultanahmet
Info: www.topkapisarayi.gov.tr

The Haghia Sophia was built in the 6th century A.D by Emperor Justinian. It was the greatest church in Christian world for almost a thousand years.

Hagia Sophia Church represented the highest achievements of the Byzantine Empire, and it was the cathedral of the emperor.

The source of its great fame is the dome which was the largest dome ever constructed. And it held the record over a thousand years, until the construction of St Peter's Cathedral in Rome in 1626.

When Constantinople was conquered by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, it was converted to a mosque.

Today it serves as a museum open to people of all faiths. And still is one of the architectural wonders of the world.

See the beautifully decorated interior, world-famous mosaics and paintings of the Saints and feel the spaciousness for yourself.

If you are really in a hurry then choose only:

"The Main Hall" on the ground floor,
"The Upper Gallery" on the first floor,

It will save you time to be there before the doors open because usually busloads of people arrive at 9:30 – 10:00. Otherwise your precious minutes will be lost in the ticket queue.

Where exactly?: You can see it at the North-east corner of Sultanahmet Square.
Opening hours: 09:00-18:00, except Mondays.
Entrance fee: 20 TL
Adress: Sultanahmet Square, Sultanahmet
Tel: 0212-528 45 00, 522 17 50, 522 09 89

This complex, widely known by its mosque, is a landmark in the marvellous skyline of Istanbul. It was built by Sedefkar Mehmed Agha, the architect, for Sultan Ahmed, in early 17th century.

It is known as Blue mosque by foreign travellers due to its turqouise and cobalt tile interior decoration.

Blue Mosque is Istanbul’s only mosque with six minarets and is one of the most significant mosques in Istanbul. It has a splendid exterior with the cascade of domes, semidomes and its six minarets.

The interior of the mosque is a very spacious one, decorated with nearly 20.000 Iznik tiles, depicting the tarditional lily, carnation, tulip, rose, cypresses and other floral motifs.

These are all in exquisite colors, with shades of blues and greens dominating. The stonework, woodwork, painted decorations are fine examples of their era.

If you are really in a hurry then choose only:

"The Main Hall" on the ground floor,
"The Courtyard" on the ground floor,

There never is a queue, since it is not a museum but a worship place. But religious holidays and friday noons can be over-crowded.

Where exactly?: You can see it at the North-east corner of Sultanahmet Square.
Opening hours: Open all day long, until the last prayer time.
Entrance fee: None
Adress: Sultanahmet Square, Sultanahmet

The Hippodrome was built during the reign of Septimus Severus in 3rd century (approx. 203 A.D.). and enlarged to its latest size by Constantine the Great in 4th century (approx. 324 A.D.).

It was located on the Sultanahmet Square (next to Sultanahmet Mosque). The Hippodrome was 480 meters long by 117 meters wide and had a seating capacity estimated at 80.000 people.

The Hippodrome had a very important place in social life of the Byzantine capital, like all other cities ruled by the Roman Empire. Countless activities and games took place at the Hippodrome.

It was the centre of the social life in Byzantium for 1000 years and the same for Istanbul in Ottoman times for 400 years.

In time, the structure of the Hippodrome was demolished. The only original relics of the ancient period are the three obelisks in Spina of the Hippodrome and the retaining wall of Sphendon of the Hippodrome.

In Ottoman times, Hippodrome became a public square where a number of activities and games took place. The cirit games (very similar to polo) took place here too and gave its name to the square; “At Meydani” (Horse Square).

If you are really in a hurry then choose only:

"The Obelisks" in the middle of the Sultanahmet square,

Where exactly?: You can see the three obelisks in Spina of the Hippodrom, in Sultanahmet Square.
You can see the retaining wall of Sphendon, the series of massive vaults, at the southern end of the Hippodrome, where the land begins to slope down to the sea.
Opening hours: Open all day long.
Entrance fee: None
Adress: Sultanahmet Square, Sultanahmet

Basilica Cistern was built by Emperor Justinian, in the 6th century (532 A.D.). This cistern is the largest underground cistern in İstanbul and provided water for the Great Palace.

It covers a huge space, the water under the walkways and dimmed lighting makes it very dramatic, like a film set.

Two of the columns are mounted on ancient classical pedestals in the form of Medusa heads. One of them is upside down and the other is on its side. You can see them at the North-western corner of the cistern.

If you are really in a hurry then choose only:

"The Medusa Heads" North-western corner of the cistern,
"The Entrance" on the basement floor,

Platforms and a lighting system are added to the cistern which makes it easy to explore. And there is a nice cafe inside, you can have a drink in this exciting atmosphere.

Where exactly?: You can see it on the Yerebatan Street, at the North-west of the entrance gate of Hagia Sophia.
Opening hours: 09:00 - 18:30, everyday.
Entrance fee: 10 TL (4,5 Euros)
Adress: Yerebatan Street, No: 13, Sultanahmet
Tel: (0212) 522 12 59

One of the worlds most picturesque and enchanting bazaars with its domes and vaults, Grand Bazaar was the heart of commerce during Ottoman Empire period for centuries. The Grand Bazaar was a big step towards the shopping malls of modern times.

And it is still a very important commercial center for Istanbul. This is probably the biggest of its kind in the world.

Within the dozens of alleys covered by decorated vaults you will find gorgeous Turkish carpets, leather apparel, glazed tiles, jewelry, glass artifacts, traditional handicrafts, pottery, historical restaurants, copperware, brassware, souvenirs, hookah pipes, textiles, t-shirts, home textiles, towels, furniture and so much more.

If you are really in a hurry then choose only:

"Zincirli Han" close to Mahmutpasa Gate,
"Ic Bedesten" right in the middle of the Grand Bazaar,
"Ic Bedesten" right in the middle of the Grand Bazaar,
"Kalpakcilar Street" the street you enter from the Beyazıt Gate.

It is more than just shopping, you will see that Grand Bazaar has a colorful, vibrant atmosphere and it is one of the best ways to explore Istanbul.

Where exactly?: It is a neighborhood by itself. You can see one of its gates on Divan Yolu, in Beyazıt.
Or you can use the Nur-u Osmaniye Gate which is near the Nur-u Osmaniye Mosque, in Cağaloğlu.
Opening hours: 08:30 - 19:00, except Sunday.
Entrance fee: None
Adress: Beyazıt

Süleymaniye Complex is settled on one of the seven hills of Istanbul and dominates the Historic Peninsula over the Golden Horn. It is an important landmark for the city.

Sultan Süleyman, the Magnificent who put his mark on the whole 16th century commissioned “Sinan, the Chief Architect” for this gorgeous complex (built between 1549 and 1558).

The area which the complex was built on is a sloppy hillside. Sinan, the Chief Architect has placed the buildings at different levels through a brilliant arrangement of terraces. He created a beautiful symmetrical composition.

The idea behind building this grand complex was to emphasize the importance of science, education and knowledge and to emphasize the glory of the Ottoman Empire.

The interior of the mosque is simply decorated, but the total impression is breath-taking. The proportions and the spaciosness are noteworthy. The decorations of the mosque were made by the most gifted artisans of their times.

The dominant feeling when you enter the mosque
is being impressed by the grandeur.

If you are really in a hurry then choose only:

"The Main Hall" on the ground floor of the mosque,
"The North-east corner of the courtyard" provides amazing views of Bosphorus and Golden Horn.

The best way is to take the tram from the Sultanahmet, get off it at the Beyazıt stop and walk. Or you can take a cab from there, if you don’t feel like walking.

Where exactly?: You can see it at the North-west of Grand Bazaar.
Opening hours: Open all day long, until the last prayer time.
Entrance fee: None
Adress: Mimar Sinan Street, Süleymaniye

When it was first built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century, it was outside the city walls. “In Chora” literally means “in the country”.

The present building dates back to the 11th century and took its current shape in 14th century.

The mosaics and frescoes on the interior walls tell stories from the New Testament like the birth of Christ, the life of Virgin Mary, lifeage of Christ, Resurrection of Christ.

These magnificent mosaics and frescoes are one of the world's most important examples of early Byzantine pictorial art.

If you are really in a hurry then choose only:

"Mosaic of the Virgin Mother with child Christ" on north dome of inner narthex,
"Mosaic of the Koimesis" in the Naos,
"The Anastasis fresco" in the parekklesion of the Chora Church.

Where exactly?: You can see it just inside the Theodosian Walls in Edirnekapı.
Opening hours: 09:00-16:30, except Wednesdays.
Entrance fee: 15 TL
Adress: Kariye Camii Sokak, Edirnekapı

Dolmabahçe Palace is the most impressive imperial building on the Bosphorus Shores. It has a nice architectural style and a wonderful view.

Sultan Abdulmecid and his family moved to this new and modern palace all together, leaving the old Topkapı Palace totally in 1856.

This was a symbol of leaving the old order at the old palace grounds and achieving European standards as a result of the process of Westernization starting from the first half of the 19th century.

The monumental scale and rich ornamental exterior is quite the opposite of the concept of classical Otoman palace. As a result this palece is an interesting blend of a European style palace with an Otoman one.

The palace served as a residential building for M. Kemal Atatürk, the establisher and first president of the Turkish Republic. After the death of Atatürk in 1938 the palace has been restored and serves as a museum today.

If you are really in a hurry then choose only:

"The Muayede Hall" which is absolutely stunning and houses the world’s largest chandelier,
"The Hünkar Hamam" heavily ornamented Turkish Bath,
,
"The Glass Kiosk" imperial glass greenhouse,
"The Clock Tower" in the courtyard,

And a little tip; there is a small cafe in the garden of the palace, on the Bosphorus shore. It is a nice place for a cold drink and some sea-breeze on a hot summer day…

Where exactly?: You can see it in Dolmabahçe, Beşiktaş.
Opening hours: Daily between 09:00 – 15:00 (except Thursdays) (Check if you can reserve your ticket online)
Entrance fee: 20 TL
Adress: Dolmabahce, Besiktas
Info: /www.dolmabahce.gov.tr

Pera was the wealthy European quarter of the city with the banks, trading houses and embassies of the European community along with the large Greek and Armenian communities of the Ottoman Empire.

You can bump into several galleries, exhibitions, museums, bookstores, live music venues, trendy restaurants, hip cafes and bars while you are there.

Beyoglu is the center of modern street life and
the most important cultural centerin Istanbul today.

If you are really in a hurry then choose only:

"Istiklal Street" to have a quick stroll,
"Asmalımescid" the trendy nightlife center,
,
"Galata" neighborhood full of designer stores,
"Galata Tower" in Galata,

You can find all Turkish and international brand name stores and you can find all sorts of entertainment on Istiklal Street.

Istiklal Street is a shopper’s heaven during daytime and another heaven for party animals at night.

Where exactly?: You can see it in Taksim, Beyoglu.
Opening hours: 24/7
Entrance fee: None
Adress: Istiklal Street, taksim