Istanbul

Istanbul, the cultural and historical heart of Turkey, is a city where East meets West at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. With its stunning skyline dotted with minarets and domes, Istanbul offers a mesmerizing blend of ancient traditions and modern influences. Explore the majestic Hagia Sophia, the grand Topkapi Palace, and the bustling Grand Bazaar, where vibrant colors and aromas create a feast for the senses. Take a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, marveling at the architectural marvels lining its shores, or immerse yourself in the lively street life of neighborhoods like Beyoglu and Kadikoy. With its rich history, diverse culture, and warm hospitality, Istanbul will enchant you with its beauty and charm, leaving you with unforgettable memories of this magical city where past and present intertwine.

Iconic Locations in Istanbul: 

1. Hagia Sophia Mosque: Much of the Hagia Sophia’s edifice evident today was completed in the 6th century (primarily from 532–537), during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. The original church to occupy the site (called the Megale Ekklesia) was commissioned by Emperor Constantine I in 325, razed during a riot in 404, later rebuilt, and destroyed once again in 532 before Justinian commissioned the building that exists today. Since then, mosaics were added throughout the Byzantine period, structural modifications were made in both the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, and features important to the Islamic architectural tradition were constructed during Ottoman ownership of the structure

2. Basilica Cistern: Descend below the streets of Sultanahmet into this majestic underground reservoir which dates back to the 6th century. Also called the Sunken Palace, it is the largest cistern from Istanbul's Byzantine-era still standing, and something that James Bond fans might recognize from the film, 'From Russia with Love'. The underground chamber has over 330 distinctive marble and granite columns believed to have been salvaged from nearby buildings, the most famous being the two Medusa heads. Skip the lines and visit the Sunken Palace and other iconic sights like Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace on a tour of Istanbul.

3. Blue Mosque: Built between 1609-1616, this impressive mosque has six minarets. Why is it called "Blue Mosque?" There are two stories: the first, more common one is that the interior is covered in Blue İznik tiles. The second is: many years ago, ancient sailors who sailed by the mosque on the Marmara Sea saw the blue colors of the sea reflected in the mosque.

4. Dolmabahce Palace: This palace was built in the mid 1800s to replace an earlier structure that was made of wood. The new palace incorporated sixteen separate buildings with stables, a flour mill and a clock tower among them.

5. Jewel of the Ottoman Empire: Located on a peninsula in İstanbul and offering sweeping views of the Golden Horn, the Sea of Marmara and the straits of the Bosphorus, the Topkapı Palace was once the exalted seat of the Ottoman sultans. The palace was built in the 15th century at the behest of Sultan Mehmet II after the conquest of Constantinople. From the 15th to the 19th century, the palace was the cornerstone of the Ottoman Empire. Its power was ceded to the newer Dolmabahçe Palace on the coast.

6.  Yerebatan Sarnıcı (Basilica Cistern) is no ordinary underground well. The huge cistern from Eastern Roman times was built in the mid-500s on the site of a former basilica. More than 300 marble columns give the essentially underground water reservoir a magnificent, serene atmosphere. Look out for the two columns that date back to Roman times with the carved heads of Medusa.

7.Galata Tower was first built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinianos in 507-508 AD. In 1348-1349, the Genoese rebuilt the tower. The tower has been used for different purposes since 1453 when Constantinople came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Galata Tower, which was originally built as a lighthouse, was used as a shelter for prisoners of war, an observatory, and a fire tower from 1717.

Galata Tower was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2013. In 2020, restoration and renovation works were carried out on both the interior and exterior. With the work carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the tower is turned into a museum. Today, Galata Tower continues to welcome its guests with its exhibition areas and observation terrace.