It’s no surprise that Istanbul is one of the most visited cities in Turkey. Each year, millions of people visit this great city from around the world. However, most people don’t know that there are 5 places you have to visit when you are in Istanbul.

Hagia Sophia

There is so much to see in the Hagia Sophia that even accounts of several visits cannot do justice to this remarkable place. For me, visiting after it was partially converted back into a mosque was especially fascinating. I could see how certain changes made were subtle ones, such as the artwork and music playing upon entry to welcome again the original purpose. Other changes I realized were obvious ones out of necessity, such as changing the gender-specific bathrooms and places of prayer. A historical landmark like this must be preserved to be cherished by billions of people over hundreds of years, yet function for more than just one succeeding culture or community of people.

The Blue Mosque

The Blue mosque appealed to me more than the other two mosques we saw on the tour because I was amazed at how much effort and detail is put into every square inch of the mosque’s interior. While the other two mosques were equally impressive, I could tell that much more detail went into making this building.

Galata Tower

All in all, I didn’t have a single disappointment in my visit to the Galata Tower Museum, which is an obvious must if you’re going around the area. There’s enough, both historically and architecturally, for any history buff and traveler to enjoy themselves. Definitely recommend!

Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar at Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and more than 4000 shops in a total area of 12,600 m². The Grand Bazaar attracts between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily için çalışması doğru olur.

Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern is loved by many for its unique look and great atmosphere. Given the fact that it is over 1500 years old, you can’t help but be in awe when you first walk inside. It is a nice place to go if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. However, if you want to visit a unique cistern, check out the Yerebatan Sarnici Cistern in Istanbul. It only just opened up for tours a couple of years ago and it hasn’t yet become very well known so the crowds are minimal.