Turkey - Places To Visit In Istanbul - Travel Advice

Turkey - Things To Do In Istanbul - Travel Adice

Istanbul is a mega city on the edge of Europe and Asia. It has a wealth of attractions, which make it a more interesting destination.

The Bosporus (which is called in Turkish Bogaziçi) is a strait that divides the city into two parts of Istanbul, connecting the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea and physically separates Asia from Europe.

There are two bridges over the strait. Bogazici Bridge of 1074 meters long was completed in 1973. The second bridge, the FSM (Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü) has a length of 1014 meters, was completed in 1988 and is nearly five miles north of the first bridge. These bridges connect Istanbul to Üsküdar neighboring Asian cities (in Greek Chrysopolis), Kadikoy (Chalcedon in Greek)

Istanbul capital was of two of the most powerful empires of the earth, and cosmopolitan city, to the sixteenth century was probably the most civilized and multicultural, Istanbul hosts extraordinary monuments, palaces, churches and racecourse dating from the Byzantine era , the Süleymaniye mosques of Sultanahmet, Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Saray), seat of Ottoman imperial power, and others.

The Basilica Cistern Yerebatan Sarayi is a large underground cistern built in 532 by Emperor Justinian. It consists of a dome that is supported on 336 columns, two of which rest on top of two large heads that possibly served to indicate where it was the sanctuary of the nymphs. This is the largest tank of 60 built under the city of Istanbul, formerly Byzantium and Constantinople.

Roman Hippodrome Obelisk was built at the time of Septimius Severus in 200 AD The Hippodrome was the center of the civil activities, and Hagia Sophia was the center of religious activities. It also functioned as a center of sports where circuses and chariot races were the recreational activities of the inhabitants of Constantinople for more than 1,000 years. Even today you can distinguish the obelisk Egyptian obelisk and the walls, trim highlights of this racecourse

Sultan Mehmet Bridge - This bridge, also known as El Segundo, along with the Bosphorus Bridge are the only two land routes of communication between the two parts into which it is separated the city of Istanbul. The bridge is kind pendant. It is suspended 64 meters above the sea and was opened in 1988

The most popular and famous of the city is centered on Sultanahmet Square where you can see the Blue Mosque and St. Sophia Cathedral. The beautiful cathedral dates from the sixth century A.D. the fall of the Roman Empire in the fifteenth century, became a mosque. Now a museum and you can see the mixture of both cultures. It was built in front of the Blue Mosque (Blue Mosque). This was done to make clear to the Cathedral of St. Sophia and thus win the leading role. It is noteworthy that if you visit the city in September, you can enjoy the feast of Ramadan where Sultanahmet Square is the center of the festival.

Istiklal Caddesi - (English: Independence Avenue) - is probably the most famous street in Istanbul. The main pedestrian street still has a charming vintage tram along and is full of things to see and do. Cadde Historically, in times of the famous Orient Express in Istiklal Avenue was called-i Kebir, Grande Rue de Pera by French intellectuals who gathered here, and was a glamorous place to see and be seen. However, its glitz and glamor days gave way to rampant crime and deterioration.

Istiklal Avenue- Istiklal Avenue is located in the historic Beyoglu district and starts from the area near the Galata Tower and leads to Taksim Square. Around here do not miss the Çiçek Pasaji (Paso Flores), and Balik Pazari (Fish Market).

Shopping – The currency is the Turkish lira, euro becomes equal to 2 lire. The prices are very affordable. For example, you can go to the harbor fresh fish to eat bread and drink for about 2 euros to change.

Istanbul is a place of markets - In fact, the largest in the world is in this city, the Grand Bazaar. Grand Bazaar If you want to go shopping go to the Grand Bazaar Istanbul, an area of 80 streets, 4000 shops, bars, cafes and restaurants where you can buy everything you can imagine: clothes, all kinds of jewels, silks, clocks, rugs, souvenirs and etc.

The other highlight is the market of spices, where all existing condiments organized in a way that beautifies the place.

It has the peculiarity that the street names corresponding to items that are sold in stores so that at the name of the street you know that kind of shops you'll encounter. Some famous Grand Bazaar is Koylu Pazari, which means "village market", where the story along artisans has sold silks and fabrics to sultanas.

Some of the typical gifts you can find here Istanbul carrying relatives or friends are the spice trays, boxes of granulated apple tea, delicate tea sets and especially the wooden boxes of Turkish delight. The blue eye is the talisman of the city and you'll find in most stores.

It also highlights the beautiful Galata tower, 67 meters high where you have spectacular views of the city and the Bosphorus, where you can make short cruises to enjoy the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara.
The Beyoglu district is crossed the Galata Bridge. Here is located the modern Istanbul live music clubs, discos, terraces crowded with students or profesioales of all countries, boutiques and wide avenues that connect each other with narrow laneways alive. The passage of the Flowers, with its hotels and shops is an example of business in this neighborhood located north of the Golden Horn.

Some important Buildings and Monuments
• Church of St. Sophia also called Church of Divine Wisdom and Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Camii). It is now a museum.
• Blue Mosque and Sultanahmet Camii.
• Topkapi Palace, where intone are several important museums and monuments.
• Dolmabahçe Palace.
• Cistern Basilica or Yerebatan.
• Arap Mosque.
• Church of St. Irene (Hagia Irene), the first church of Byzantium, now a museum.
• Bulgarian St Stephen Church (known as "Bulgarian Iron Church").
• Fatih Mosque.
• Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi).
• Istiklal Avenue (Istiklal Caddesi).
• Mosaic Museum.
• The Prince's Islands.
• Sadberk Hanim Museum.
• Süleymaniye Mosque.
• The Maiden's Tower, Tower of San Leandro (Kiz Kulesi).
• Hippodrome of Constantinople.
• Museum of the Islands of Istanbul.
• Museum of Innocence.
• Museum of Contemporary Art in Istanbul.

Markets, neighbourhoods and places
• Fish Restaurants Bebek area.
• Beyoglu
• Golden Horn
• Taksim Square
• Eyüp Cemetery
• Fashion District, district of Kadiköy
• Bagdat Caddesi, Kadiköy cosmopolitan district of the Asian part of the city.
• The Nisantasi

In conclusion, Istanbul is a destination with many attractions - If you like this advice - Please Subscribe for future travel advice