Istanbul is one of the largest cities in Europe, with a whopping 18 million people legally living within its ever-expanding borders, which technically cross into Asia. As a modern city, it attracts hundreds of thousands of Turkish citizens and immigrants to its excellent educational institutions and industries. However, it’s also the tourist industry that fares very well in this exploding city. As the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire and Ottoman Empire, Istanbul has a unique history and culture to showcase.
Most tourists will land at Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport, which is outside of historic Istanbul. Tourists may take taxis to their location, but it is easy and much cheaper to take public transportation if the tourist is heading to the heart of it all: Sultan Ahmet. From the airport, buy a jeton (token) and take the Metro to the Zeytinburnu station, where you will transfer to the Tram that takes you to Sultan Ahmet. The total travel time is generally an hour and will not cost more than 4TL per person.
Sultan Ahmet is the historic district of Istanbul where one can see the radiance of the Eastern Roman Empire mixed the splendor of the Ottoman Empire. The must-sees in Istanbul are Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace, which are all in Sultan Ahmet.
Hagia Sophia was built in 360 AD during the Eastern Roman Empire at the time of Theodosius, and is actually the third cathedral built on this site. It has one the largest and oldest freestanding dome in the world, which was said to have changed the history of architecture. The pillars are marble and come from other locations of the Empire, with some pillars coming from the Temple of Artemis. The largest cathedral in the world for more than a thousand years, beautiful mosaics of Christ, the Apostles and the Virgin Mary remain intact, with thanks due to the Ottoman Turks who ironically covered the images with plaster in 1453. This plaster has actually preserved the colorful paintings and mosaics seen today. Hagia Sophia’s brilliance is absolutely remarkable and no tour is necessary to enjoy its breathtaking beauty. Entrance cost is 25 TL and tour time is about 45 minutes
The Blue Mosque is the Ottoman Empire’s answer to Hagia Sophia and was finished in 1616. There is a courtyard next to the Blue Mosque which is nearly as large as the mosque itself. Visitors enter the mosque from the back and as is Islam practice, take of their shoes and cover any bare legs or shoulders with shawls provided. Be warned that visitors are not allowed in during prayer times. Inside, the large blue-tiled dome is fascinating and a testament to Ottoman architecture and intricacies. Because the mosque is still in use, it is free for public viewing and tour time is about 20 minutes.
Finally, Topkapı Palace is a fantastic place to see where the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire once lived for almost 400 years. The Palace contains four main courtyards and many buildings that contain Ottoman artifacts: the Kitchens, the Dormitories, the Imperial Treasury, the Arms Collection, the Sultan’s Library, the Circumcision Room and so on. But the most interesting spot of the entire palace is the Harem, where the Sultan kept his concubines. Here you will see not only where the women stayed, but also the apartment of the Queen Mother and her bath. In addition, the Harem holds the Imperial Hall and the Private Bedrooms of the Sultans. Because there are many buildings and artifacts to see, an audio tour is useful. Be warned that the palace is closed on Tuesdays and the entrance cost is 20TL with an additional 15TL for the Harem, which is well worth the additional cost. The tour time can be from two to four hours.
While in Sultan Ahmet, be sure to locate the Obelisk of Theodosius, which is in the location of the old Hippodrome, directly beside the Blue Mosque. This is hands down the oldest thing in Istanbul today, from around 1450 BC. The Underground Cisterns are interesting but not incredible to see for only 5TL. In addition, the Grand Bazaar is up from Sultan Ahmet and a giant attraction for tourists. While one of the largest closed bazaars in the world, the variety of souvenirs is small. Tourists will mostly find overpriced lanterns, hookah pipes, rugs, jewelry and T-shirts. Remember in Turkey, it’s acceptable to bargain and if one dares to enter the Grand Bazaar, be willing to spend a lot more money than Turkish speaking counterparts.
If time allows, visit the Istanbul Archaeological Museum near Topkapı Palace. This museum displays artifacts from ancient Egypt, Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire. One can also take the Tram down to Eminönü and enjoy fish bread and beer under the Galata Bridge. When the weather is nice, boat tours along the Bosphorus are available here, for around 30 TL per person. Going in the evening is a beautiful way to watch the sun set on city.
While there is much more to do and see, these places are the must-see for tourists looking for history and culture. Istanbul can be quickly toured in a few days and many hostels are located in the Sultan Ahmet district. Be sure to make Internet reservations when possible for the museums when possible, because the lines for these places are hideously long in the summer months.
The capital of two very powerful and yet starkly different empires awaits you. Enjoy your time in Istanbul, where the best of East and West collide in wonder and excitement.a