Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia)

Moschee

No other building reflects the soul of Istanbul and its turbulent past like the world-famous Hagia Sophia. Entrance to the Hagia Sophia is free of charge. Please remember that it can only be visited outside of prayer times. Hagia Sofia is one of the world's greatest cultural heritages. Those who want to learn the hidden details and stories about this magnificent monument are recommended to take a tour with professional guides. The Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) experienced almost the entire history of Constantinople and became the symbol of the Golden Age of Byzantium and the city of Istanbul. The first basilica construction with a wooden roof was completed in 360 and burnt down in 404 in an uprising. A new building under Theodosius II was inaugurated in 415 and went up in flames during the reign of Justinian in the Nika Revolt of 532. A third and last construction of the Hagia Sophia was arranged immediately afterwards and opened on the 26th of December 537. Until the end of the Byzantine Empire, the Hagia Sophia was used as a Greek Orthodox cathedral and was the venue for the most important ceremonies in the region. During the Latin occupation of 1204-1261, all holy relics were removed, and the church served as a Roman Catholic cathedral. Until the completion of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Hagia Sophia was the largest Christian church in the world.

Basilica Cistern

Museum

Huge underground Roman water source held up with 336 marble columns covering 9,800 sq. meters.

The Blue Mosque

Moschee

For the past 400 years, right in the heart of Istanbul, a magnificent building has stood as a statement of Ottoman achievement and greatness. It is a beautiful building, built on the site of the palace of Byzantine emperors and next to Hagia Sophia. The Blue Mosque not only asserts Ottoman wealth, but also presents the Ottoman Empire as the successor and inheritor of Roman and Byzantine imperial culture

Topkapı Palace

Historisch

The Topkapı Palace, or the Seraglio, is a large museum in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul in Turkey. In the 15th and 16th centuries it served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans. Construction, ordered by the Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, began in 1459, six years after the conquest of Constantinople. Topkapı was originally called the "New Palace" to distinguish it from the Old Palace in Beyazıt Square. It was given the name Topkapı, meaning Cannon Gate, in the 19th century. The complex expanded over the centuries, with major renovations after the 1509 earthquake and the 1665 fire. The palace complex consists of four main courtyards and many smaller buildings. Female members of the Sultan's family lived in the harem, and leading state officials, including the Grand Vizier, held meetings in the Imperial Council building. After the 17th century, Topkapı gradually lost its importance. The sultans of that period preferred to spend more time in their new palaces along the Bosphorus. In 1856 Sultan Abdulmejid I decided to move the court to the newly built Dolmabahçe Palace.

Galata Tower

Sehenswert

Restored 14th-century tower and former prison overlooking the Bosphorus with a top-floor restaurant.

Grand Bazaar

Einkaufszentrum

Everything is spectacular in the Grand Bazaar, a mythical place in the Turkish metropolis where it’s easy to lose yourself and be amazed. It’s impossible not to think of the tales of The One Thousand and One Nights when you enter this fabulous place that has certainly not lost its special features over time. It can be accessed through up to 22 different doors, leading to some 58 streets.

Spice Bazaar

Wahrzeichen

No visit to Istanbul is complete without stopping by the atmospheric Spice Bazaar. While the Grand Bazaar may be the largest and most famous of Istanbul's covered bazaars, this spice market wins the prize for being the most colorful, fragrant, and often the most fun – as visitors can taste the goods on offer.

Bosphorus Strait

Besichtigung

Bosphorus Strait is a narrow, natural strait and an internationally significant waterway located in northwestern Turkey. This is the most beautiful place where you can enjoy watching Istanbul. Get ready for a beautiful journey with the peaceful view of Istanbul and the sound of the waves. Every tourist who comes to Istanbul undoubtedly takes a boat tour here. Watching the sunset in the Bosphorus is a once-in-a-lifetime activity. For this reason, we recommend you a yacht tour that you will join in the evening hours. We believe it will definitely be worth it. It forms part of the continental boundary between Europe and Asia, and divides Turkey by separating Anatolia from Thrace. It is the world's narrowest strait used for international navigation. The Bosporus connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, and, by extension via the Dardanelles, the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, and by the Kerch Strait, the sea of Azov. Most of the shores of the strait, except for those in the north, are heavily settled, straddled by the city of Istanbul's metropolitan population of 17 million inhabitants extending inland from both coasts. Together with the Dardanelles, the Bosporus forms the Turkish Straits.

Dolmabahçe Palace

Historisch

Dolmabahçe Palace was ordered by the Empire's 31st Sultan, Abdülmecid I, and built between the years 1843 and 1856. Previously, the Sultan and his family had lived at the Topkapı Palace, but as the medieval Topkapı was lacking in contemporary style, luxury, and comfort, as compared to the palaces of the European monarchs, Abdülmecid decided to build a new modern palace near the site of the former Beşiktaş Sahil Palace, which was demolished. Hacı Said Ağa was responsible for the construction works, while the project was realized by architects Garabet Balyan, his son Nigoğayos Balyan and Evanis Kalfa (members of the Armenian Balyan family of Ottoman court architects).

Maiden's Tower

Wahrzeichen

The legendary Maiden’s Tower, also called Leander’s Tower, is one of the iconic landmarks of Istanbul. Situated on a small islet in the middle of the Bosphorus off the Asian coast of Üsküdar, it has served various purposes over the years. With its numerous legends and dreamy panoramic view, the Maiden’s Tower is regarded as a timeless symbol of love in Turkey.

Rumeli Fortress

Historisch

550-year-old building located on the European side of the Bosphorus. Built during the Ottoman period, the fortress was built to prevent interference from the Black Sea during the siege of Constantinople.The surrounding of Rumeli Fortress is a very lively tourist center today. There are great restaurants and cafes in this neighborhood where Istanbulites come to have breakfast on weekends.

Archaeological Museums

Museum

Besides its importance as the first Turkish museum, it remains one of the world's largest museums with over one million works. Opened to the public in 1891, it houses a collection of Greek, Roman and Byzantine artifacts.

Şirin Fırın

Cafe

Both the baked goods and aesthetic are on point at this cafe. Sirin Firin is one of the most popular bakeries in Istanbul, even with vegan and gluten free options so everyone can try.

Beylerbeyi Palace

Museum

This 19th-century palace with gardens was once a summer residence for Ottoman sultans.

Miniaturk

Museum

Park with Turkish landmarks, including the Blue Mosque, depicted in miniature format.

Istanbul Museum of Modern Art

Museum

Riverside museum with Turkish & international modern & contemporary art collections, plus a cinema.

Balat

Insta-Spot

Çamlıca Tower

Insta-Spot

Arnavutköy

Insta-Spot

Pera Museum

Insta-Spot

Taksim Square

Besichtigung

Taksim Square is a cosmopolitan one, also a communications hub and an important commercial, entertainment and sightseeing area for both locals and tourists in Istanbul. Taksim Square is also a popular meeting point and ideal place to have a nice Istanbul city walking tour from Taksim. It is a place where you can spend a day. There are so many places to visit and see here that you can come in the morning and spend time here comfortably until the evening. You should come here to visit Istiklal Street, Gezi Park, Cihangir. Taksim is a place that should be visited completely freely. We do not recommend a tour for this place, we just want to tell you that the Istanbul bus tour starts from here. The avenue, surrounded by late Ottoman era buildings that were designed with the Neo-Classical, Neo-Gothic, Renaissance Revival, Beaux-Arts, Art Nouveau and First Turkish National Architecture styles; as well as a few Art Deco style buildings from the early years of the Turkish Republic, and a number of more recent examples of modern architecture; starts from the northern end of Galata at Tünel Square and ultimately leads up to Taksim Square.

Princess Islands

Besichtigung

They are a small heaven of peace in Istanbul and a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. During summer, we recommend you to get there on weekdays rather than weekends because they are invaded by the townspeople and the tourists. They owe their name to the fact that during the Byzantine period the imperial family and disgraced aristocrats were exiled in the monasteries on the islands. They then became the favorite weekend destination of the Ottoman aristocracy, and even today you will find many Victorian-style villas.

Bağdat Avenue

Einkaufszentrum

One of the most luxurious ones in Istanbul. A popular place for both locals and tourists stroll along, have a rest in its wide range of luxury cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs, make shopping from many popular brands’ and boutique shops and have great day out activity in a wonderful Istanbul day.