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20 Sightseeing Places in Istanbul

This post will show you 20 Sightseeing Places in Istanbul which are most attractive from tourism perspective. I recommend you to visit all these beautiful places in your next tour to Istanbul. Trust me you will be in love with Istanbul after visiting these amazing places. Most of the places are depicting Turkish history and architecture.

1. HAGIA SOPHIA

2. BLUE MOSQUE 
3. ORTAKOY



 4.BOSPHORUS BRIDGE
5. GALATA TOWER
6. HYDARPASA TERMINAL
 7. KIZ KULESI (MAIDEN TOWER) 
8. TOPKAPI PALACE
9. ISTIKLAL STREET

 10. TAKSIM SQUARE
11. TOP ROOF OF SULTANAHMET
 12. BEBEK


 13. AQUA FLORYA



14. KADIKOY SAHIL
 15. DOLMABAHCE PALACE

16. SPICE BAZAAR
 17. GRAND BAZAAR
 18. PIERRE LOTI
 19. VIALAND
20. KILYOS BEACH 
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5 Reasons to Love Istanbul

What is country without its people, its culture, food, history and geography? A country’s people make the country able to be called a “Hospitable Country”, its culture make it popular, the history of a country make it interesting and food and geography make it worth living and worth visiting for the people of other countries.

Ankara is the capital of Turkey. But Istanbul is the symbol city of Turkey. Turkey is known for the rich culture and geographical position of Istanbul. Istanbul, the city with largest population in the world, is a huge metropolis, known for its beautiful people, places and culture. You will hardly get to hear that “I do not like Istanbul” people who have seen the city or not equally love it.

Let me tell you the reasons to absolutely fall in love with the great city Istanbul. 

1. Location
Istanbul is straddling between two continents which make it unique among all the cities in the world. Bosporus Bridge connects Marmara Sea and Black Sea. You can divide the city in two halves, one is European side and other is Asian Side. Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosporus, further separates the European side of city in two halves, one is the Old city which contains most of the historical sites, and the other is New City which is full of Istanbul’s business and cultural life. The city’s steep hills topped with mosques make it a place of unforgettable views across its waterways. The great architecture of Istanbul is like none of the other city’s architecture. 

2. Architecture
Nature has made Istanbul beautiful but the rich architectural history has made the Old City 10 times more beautiful and attractive. From Hagia Sophia to Byzantine Christendom, from Suleymaniya Mosque to Sultan Ahmet Mosque with dazzling domes and design, every building every mosque every church is a self-speaking master piece of art.

3. Welcoming and Hospitable People
People in turkey will never let you feel bad about anything such as not speaking and understanding their language. They will speak in English with either fluently or haltingly, no matter what, they will share some words with you in English. Everyone there is so helpful, say what you want or just give a hint, Turks will never let you get lost. You will meet welcoming people everywhere. They will share food and even their house if they get to know that you just arrived in Turkey.

4. Richest Culture You’ll Ever See
You will see the street culture full of café societies in Istanbul. Istanbul street culture is about the character of the neighborhoods. New City is full of nooks and crannies, and run-down upholstery shops beside elegant townhouses. You will see a tiny restaurant with a board saying “Do not think twice, Just trust the chef” and you will never regret entering the restaurant. New City is not any lesser that the Old City. It is also full of street culture but focuses more on tourist trade. Smart, beautiful, intelligent and clever English-speaking men will bring you under their spell in seconds. Turkish men are smooth talkers…. Hahaha!

5. Shopping
Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the city with world’s most innovative, full of variety and easy-to-buy shopping places in the world. Turks make it easy for you to buy many things, and by easy I mean EXTREMELY easy! Maybe Turkey is not world’s most capitalistic society. Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is the world’s biggest covered market, present in Istanbul since 15th century. You will find everything in the markets of Istanbul, from chic clothing brands to vegetables, everything is available in same market. Shopping in Istanbul is indeed an extreme shopping experience.



I believe that there is no reason not to love Istanbul. Every bit of this city is absolutely amazing ad magnificent.
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Top 10 Places to Visit in Istanbul

“If one had but a glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul” said Alphonse de Lamartine. Istanbul is a city with one of the most ancient and important historical creations in the world. The great architectural pieces in the city are unforgettable.

There are many spots in the great city to visit, let’s have a look the 10 most popular and visited places in Istanbul.


1.  Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) Museum
Hagia Sophia, The Devine Church of Wisdom is world’s most impressive building. It remained the largest church built in the world for 1000 years. Mehmet the Conqueror claimed Hagia Sophia as a mosque after his conquest of the city. Ayasofya is the most visited sight in Turkey. There are great items in museum and the building itself is a great attraction for art lovers. Most of the building is museum but one portion is set for prayer.




2.  Sultanahmet Mosque
Blue mosque facing Hippodrome also known as Sultanahmet Mosque is one of the top sights in historic city. Call for prayer from Blue Mosque minarets is just phenomenon. It is a great piece of architecture. Beautiful design of the mosque from outside and inside is magnificent.




3.  Topkapi Palace
Topkapi palace, overlooking both Marmara and Bosphorus, had been the home of many Ottoman sultans. The inside of the palace has beautiful designs and calligraphy on its walls. Palace has four courtyards. There is a treasury in the third yard, with its magnificent gems, gold and work of art.



 
4.  Grand Bazaar
It is the largest covered market of Turkey that offers great shopping. According to the guidebook it has 4000 shops, but due to consolidation and replacement of shops by restaurants, the actual number of shops is lesser. Grand Bazaar is complete fun place where you can shop and eat. 




5.  Kariye Museum (Chora Church):
 The building of Chora church was constructed in 11th century. The two small domes of inner narthex have portraits of all Jesus’s ancestors. Another series concentrates on Jesus’s ministry.




6.  Galata Tower
From Galata Tower one can get a 360-degree bird eye view of the beautiful Istanbul. You can see all significant points from the Galata tower. It is one of the most visited places in Istanbul. It has a café and restaurant on its top floor. Also a night club that organizes Turkish show is present in Galata tower.

7.  Basilica Cistern
Istanbul’s most romantic attraction is Basilica Cistern. The spot offers an insight to the complicated system which brought drinking water Thrace into Istanbul.




8.  The Hippodrome of Constantinople
You will see spiral bronze base of a three headed serpent sculpture which was brought from Delphi. At the Southwest of Hippodrome is the bare stone of column of Constantine Porphyrogenitus, situated there from 10th century.




9.  Istanbul Archeology Museum
Istanbul Archeology Museum is situated just down the hill from Topkapi Palace. The museum is devoted to later stuff; it has many ancient Greek and Roman marble sculptures.



 10.  Adalar
Take a ferry ride to Adalar from Kabatas, Kadikoy or Eminonu. Enjoy the sea food, beautiful lush green forests, fun ride on a Horse cart or ride a rented bicycle and see the great architecture at the clean and calm island. Visiting Adalar fairly pays back.
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