5 Must Sees In Instanbul

This post on Istanbul comes courtesy of the good people at travelsupermarket.com.  If you are heading to Turkey check out what’s on offer at their site: http://www.travelsupermarket.com/c/holidays/turkey/.

Top 5 ‘must sees’ in Istanbul

The only city in the world to stand on two continents (Europe and Asia) and the fifth largest in the world by population, Istanbul is a fascinating metropolis with a rich history and culture. Along with Essen in Germany and Pecs in Hungary, Istanbul is the joint European capital of culture for 2010. Here we’ve collected together our pick of the “must-sees” in Turkey’s largest city.

1. Topkapi Palace

Opening times: Everyday excluding Tuesdays, 9am – 7pm

Entrance fee: 35 Turkish Lira (approx. 27 AUD)

Topkapi Palace was the centre of the Ottoman Empire for over 4 centuries, dating right back to 1459 when Sultan Mehmet II commissioned its construction. Situated on the eastern side of Istanbul, Topkapi Palace is a UNESCO world heritage site and houses some unbelievable architecture, treasures and relics from the Ottoman era, such as the prophet Mohammed’s sword and cloak. The entire palace is extremely lavish, but the treasury in particular stands out – four rooms brimming with jewels and treasures including the Spoonmakers diamond, the fifth largest in the world.

2. The Blue Mosque

Opening times: Everyday 9am – 6pm

Entrance fee: free

The Blue Mosque is instantly recognisable by its six, spiked towers (or minarets) and its large, cascading domes. The Mosque is officially named Sultan Ahmet Mosque after Sultan Ahmet I, who commissioned its construction over 400 years ago, however locals nicknamed it the Blue Mosque because of the 20’000 plus blue tiles that line the vast interior domes. This, along with the detailed stained glass windows and further intricately decorated tiles make the inside of the Blue Mosque a spectacular sight. The Mosque is open daily to visitors however access is restricted during prayer times, for about 30 minutes five times a day. Tourists should note that this is a place of worship and as such, there are respectful dress codes that should be adhered to. Shoes should be removed, legs and arms should be covered and women are required to cover their heads with a scarf or hat.

3. Hagia Sophia

Opening times: Everyday excluding Tuesdays, 9:30am – 4:30pm

Entrance fee: 20 Turkish Lira (approx. 15 AUD)

The Hagia Sophia was built in 360 AD and stood as the worlds largest cathedral for more than 1’000 years. The Hagia Sophia is an architectural masterpiece and is most famous for its gigantic cavernous dome that measures around 30 metres across and is the lid to the one of the largest enclosed spaces in the world. The Hagia Sophia is also well known for its collection of stunning mosaics such as the Christ Pantocrator.

4. The Grand Bazaar

Opening times: Monday – Saturday, 8:30am – 7:30pm

Entrance fee: free

Know to locals as Kapalicarsi, the noise, bustle, sights and smells of the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul provide a pleasant shock to the senses. The largest covered market in the world, the Grand Bazaar houses nearly four thousand shops selling a wide variety of items such as jewellery, carpets, antiques, leather goods and food and covers an area of approximately 50 acres, that’s around the same area as 28 football pitches! One word of caution – be mindful of pickpockets.

5. Cruise on the Bosphorus River

Opening times: varies

Entrance fee: varies

The Bosphorus river cuts through the centre of Istanbul, splitting the city into two halves – with the European half sitting to the west and the Asian half to the east. A Cruise up the Bosporus river provides you with a unique view of Istanbul, passing the plethora of grand Ottoman architecture Istanbul offers as well as some of the poorer areas of the city and some sites you may never have seen otherwise. There are a variety of tours and itineraries available but as a rough guide a return trip on a Bosphorus ferry cruise might set you back around 20 Turkish Lira (15 AUD).

* All times and prices are correct at 27th May 2010

Category: Asia, Europe, Travel Blog