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Istanbul Attractions

Emperors, kings and sultans have all passed through Istanbul and left their mark on this vast, bustling metropolis, packed with remnants of past imperial might. This is a city of domes and mosques with winding, narrow streets lined with stalls and markets; and although no longer Turkey’s capital, it is still very much the cultural, commercial and tourist centre of the country. Despite its ancient heritage, and sometimes slightly tired exterior, the city has a modern, vibrant life mixed with an intriguing combination of east and west.

Topkapi Palace (city map)
Sultanahmet, Istanbul

Now one of Istanbul's leading museums, the Topkapi Palace was the Imperial residence of the Great Ottoman Empire for almost 400 years until the reign of Abdülmecid. The palace was subjected to many changes as it passed from sultan to sultan, but today houses a spectacular museum famed for its large collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain.

Haghia Sophia (city map)
Sultanhmet, Istanbul

Considered the eighth wonder of the world, this Byzantine Church is one of the largest ancient buildings to be found anywhere. It is the most significant masterpiece of Byzantine art and Eastern Christian church architecture and was completed in 532 during Justinian's reign. The church covers a surface of 7,570 square meters and its dome is 55.6 meters high and 32 meters wide and is carried by 107 columns. The vast building, with its range of architectural styles, is one of Istanbul's best known landmarks and few visitors to the city miss a trip to view its extraordinary interior.

Blue Mosque (city map)
Sultanhamet, Istanbul

Dating from the 17th century, this is one of the largest Mosques in Istanbul and is one of the principal features on the city's skyline. The only mosque in the world with six minarets, its real fame derives most from its beautiful interior tiles with flower and tree motifs. On the east side of the mosque is the Arasta, a bazaar for the various tradesmen guilds.

Suleymaniye Camii (city map)
Istanbul

The mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent is yet another of the city's great landmarks set in a complex of surrounding buildings capped by over 400 domes. Its design represents an important development in Ottoman mosque architecture.

Kariye Camii (St-Savior inChora)
Istanbul

Worth seeing for its famous mosaics which constitute one of the world's most important examples of early Byzantine pictorial art. The mosaics tell the story of the New Testament from the birth of the Virgin Mary to a scene showing the Resurrection of Christ. The building was turned into a mosque during the reign of Bayezit II. The surrounding neighbourhood has many old Ottoman wooden houses.

Yerebatan Sarayi (Sunken Palace)
Istanbul

A walkway just above the water allows you to view the forest of stone pillars that support this vast under ground cistern. Built in 532 AD it was at one time supplied by the Valens aqueduct.

Eski Sark Eserleri Muzesi (Archeological Museums) (city map)
1st Court of Topkapi, Istanbul

Contains the Museum of Antiquities and the Museum of Oriental Antiquities, both of which contain incredible artifacts.

Kapali Carsi (Grand Bazaar) (city map)
Istanbul

A vast labyrinth of little streets lined with over 4000 shops selling rugs, pottery, jewellery and countless other goodies.