what to see and where to go in Istanbul

Quite often, tourists wonder which country to go to during their vacation. The best place to travel will be Istanbul.

It is the largest historical and industrial city in the Republic of Turkey, located on the picturesque shores of the Bosphorus.

The content of the article:

1. Istanbul – the city of dreams
2. Historical monuments
3. Mysterious and mysterious places
4. Beautiful and picturesque places
5. Famous cafes and restaurants

Istanbul – the city of dreams

The territory of Istanbul is washed by the waters of the Sea of ​​Marmara and covers two parts of the world at once – Europe and Asia. In ancient times, this amazing city was the capital of the four Empires – Byzantine, Roman, Latin and Ottoman. In the future, this contributed to the development and strengthening of the city, which became the cultural center of the Turkish country.

Istanbul has extraordinary beauty and ancient history, shrouded in secrets and legends. Every tourist will be interested in visiting this amazing city. Small and cozy streets, picturesque landscapes, cultural monuments and historical sights will make your vacation unforgettable and give you a lot of pleasant impressions.

We invite travelers to find out more important information and get useful recommendations on what to see in Istanbul on their own.

Video: Mysterious Istanbul

Historical monuments of ancient culture in Istanbul

As in many large cities, historical and cultural monuments are located on the territory of Istanbul. They are of particular importance for the Turkish country and are part of world history. The construction of monuments, memorials and obelisks is associated with the era of the last century and the times of the existence of the four Empires.

We have prepared for tourists a list of the most legendary historical monuments in Istanbul.

Obelisk of Theodosius

The ancient Egyptian obelisk with a height of 25.5 meters was erected back in 390, during the reign of the Roman Emperor – Theodosius the Great. It has an ancient history of creation and special significance for the city of Istanbul.

Pharaoh Thutmose is depicted on the surface of the obelisk next to the Egyptian God – Amon-Ra. And each of its four faces contains Egyptian characters from hieroglyphs that hide an important meaning.

Gothic column

One of the oldest monuments of the Roman era is the Gothic Column. It is made of white marble and is 18.5 meters high.

The column was erected in the period of the III-IV centuries, in honor of the great victory of the Romans over the Goths – the ancient Germanic union of tribes. This important event left a permanent mark on the history of the Roman Empire.

Freedom Monument (“Republic”)

During the existence of the Ottoman Empire, a memorial was built in the capital in memory of the fallen soldiers. In 1909, they took part in the battle, defending parliament from the monarchist forces at the time of the coup.

For fighting courage and heroism, the soldiers went down in history, and their remains were buried on the territory of the memorial. Now every tourist has the opportunity to visit the Freedom Monument and honor the memory of the fallen soldiers.

Sights full of mystery and mysteries

Istanbul is one of the most mystical and mysterious cities in the Turkish Republic. The history of its founding is incredibly interesting and varied. It is associated with ancient legends, ancient legends and age-old prophecies.

To personally see this, travelers should definitely visit the mysterious and mysterious places of the city.

We offer a list of suitable attractions.

Basilica Cistern

One of the most mysterious and mysterious places on the territory of Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern. It is an ancient reservoir located in an underground tunnel. At first glance, this wonderful place resembles a magnificent palace, decorated with marble columns, which in the last century were part of the ancient temples of the Roman Empire.

Here you can see ancient buildings, the upside-down heads of Medusa the Gorgon, as well as visit the historical museum.

Suleymaniye Mosque

In the era of the last century, the Ottoman Empire existed on the territory of Istanbul, ruled by Sultan Suleiman. He was a great ruler who did a lot for the good of the Turkish state.

During his reign, the Suleymaniye Mosque was built. Now it is the most majestic and largest temple in Istanbul with incredibly beautiful architecture.

Libraries, madrasahs, observatories and baths are located within the walls of the ancient building. The remains of Sultan Suleiman and his beloved wife Roksolana are also kept here.

Saint Sophie Cathedral

The legendary monument of the times of the Byzantine Empire is the Hagia Sophia. This holy place embodies the golden age of Byzantium and is considered the largest Orthodox church in the world. Over the years, it was renamed a mosque, and today it has received the status of a museum.

Ayasofia has beautiful architecture, tall malachite columns and wonderful mosaic compositions. Having visited the holy Cathedral, tourists have the opportunity to plunge into the era of the last century and even make a wish.

Dolmabahce Palace

In the middle of the 19th century, during the reign of Sultan Abdul-Majid I, the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace was built. During the Ottoman Empire, it was the seat of great rulers. A lot of money and time was spent on the construction of the palace.

Its architecture includes Rococo, Neoclassicism and Baroque styles. The interior is decorated with pure gold, Bohemian glass chandeliers and paintings by the talented artist Aivazovsky.

Beautiful and picturesque places of the city

Continuing their self-guided tour of the city of Istanbul, tourists try to find beautiful and picturesque places where they can see beautiful landscapes and enjoy a pleasant stay.

Squares, squares and park zones are suitable as destinations.

Be sure to study the itinerary in advance and check the list of the most beautiful places in the city.

Sultanahmet square

Soon after arriving in Istanbul, tourists will definitely find themselves in the main square of the city. It has the name Sultanahmet, in honor of the great sultan’s mosque located nearby.

The square is the historical center of the city, where most of the attractions are located. On its vast and luxurious territory, you can find monuments, obelisks, the Aya Sophia Cathedral and the Blue Mosque. In the park area you can relax, enjoy the beauty of the city and the pleasant noise of the fountains.

Gulhane Park

Gulhane Park is considered a wonderful place for walking and rest. Its beautiful territory and vast area are part of one of the oldest and largest parks in the city of Istanbul. It is located not far from the ancient Topkapi Palace, the huge gates of which serve as an entrance for tourists.

A walk in this picturesque place will give the guests of the park a lot of pleasant impressions and vivid memories, as well as provide a huge number of wonderful photographs.

Miniature park

For those tourists who do not have time and will be on the territory of Istanbul for a very short time, there is a Miniature Park. It includes compositions of popular sights of the city, presented in a small format.

Through a walk in the park, tourists can see miniature copies of historical monuments, palaces, cathedrals and mosques. The collection includes Ayasofia, Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye and many other attractions.

Maiden’s Tower

On a small and rocky island of the Bosphorus, one of the most beautiful and mysterious sights of Istanbul, called the Maiden’s Tower, is located. It is a symbol of the city and is one of the most beautiful and romantic places. The history of the foundation of the tower is connected with ancient myths and legends.

An excursion to this beautiful place will appeal to couples in love, where a romantic date will be perfect. On the territory of the Maiden Tower, tourists can find a cozy restaurant, a souvenir shop and an extensive observation deck, as well as take a ride on pleasure boats along the Bosphorus.

The most famous cafes and restaurants in Istanbul

An integral part of a good trip is a pleasant stay in a cafe or restaurant, where tourists can enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner. Istanbul has a huge selection of cozy cafes, good pastry shops and chic restaurants where you can escape from the hustle and bustle and taste Turkish cuisine.

We have selected some of the best in town from the many cafes.

We offer a list of the most famous culinary establishments.

Confectionery “Hafiz Mustafa”

For lovers of delicious pastries and Turkish sweets, the Hafiz Mustafa confectionery is an ideal place. Here, visitors will taste delicious desserts and appreciate aromatic pastries.

This cozy place will allow you to relax after a busy day and an active city tour. You can always take pastries with you on the road – and continue your journey.

Restaurant “360 Istanbul”

One of the most luxurious restaurants in Istanbul is “360 Istanbul”. The doors of this beautiful and luxurious establishment are always open to guests. A large dining room, a beautiful terrace and an observation deck will make your time unforgettable.

The restaurant is located on the 8th floor, offering extensive views of the city and the Bosphorus. The menu here is quite varied, it includes dishes not only from Turkish cuisine.

In the restaurant you can have a delicious lunch, and in the evening you can dance and watch an entertainment program.

Restaurant “Kervansaray”

Those tourists who want to taste delicious Turkish cuisine should look into the Kervansaray restaurant. It is the most popular restaurant in the city, located on the coast of the Bosphorus.

The restaurant offers its guests a wide selection of dishes, a varied menu, exquisite interior and chic decor. At fairly reasonable prices, tourists can have a tasty meal and appreciate all the subtleties of Turkish cuisine.

Forward to an unforgettable journey!

If you decide to go to Istanbul soon, be sure to take advantage of our valuable tips and check out our helpful tips. We have selected for tourists only the best and proven places that are really worthy of your attention. By the way, Istanbul is good in winter too – we invite you to get acquainted with its special winter charm

We wish you a good trip, pleasant stay, vivid emotions and unforgettable impressions. Bon Voyage!