Walking along the sea side every day can be a highlight of a trip. The Golden Horn, which is spanned by five bridges, is Istanbul’s main Bosphorus inlet. It’s also known as Haliç in modern Turkish.
Make sure crossing the Golden Horn for a trip to the Karaköy area is on your Istanbul bucket list. This region of Istanbul is one of the city’s most vibrant, with new shops, rooftop bars, and boutiques opening all the time.
The Basilica Cistern, a “sunken palace” beneath the surface of Istanbul’s streets, is just down the road from the Blue Mosque. Originally constructed as a commercial hub in the third and fourth century AD, it was later converted as part of a water filtering system.
Istanbul, which straddles the Bosphorus Strait between Europe and Asia, is engraved with thousands of years of history, carrying the imprints of the Ancient Greeks, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Turks, and Silk Road traders who have resided here throughout the centuries.
Regardless of how much time you have in the city, Sultan Ahmet Cami (The Blue Mosque) is undoubtedly one of the sights you must see. This landmark edifice, with its six minarets dominating the Istanbul skyline, is hard to miss.
Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia), another of Istanbul’s most recognized and beautiful landmarks, was previously a Christian church until being converted to a mosque in 1453 under Sultan Mehmed II. It is within a short distance from the Blue Mosque, and the two together dominate the skyline of old Istanbul.
One of the oldest and largest covered markets, and is located in Eminönü’s neighborhood! The interior and exterior of the market, which is located near the equally famed Grand Bazaar and is the oldest after it, had a significant refurbishment.