Turkey always had a mystery that attracted me, so its been on my list for a while, but never had the chance to travel there. This summer, my gates to Istanbul were finally opened and I was immediately in for it.
First I didn’t know what to be more excited about: the history, culture, food or traditions? the big city with so much to discover and live the “lost in Istanbul” experience or the impressive objectives? Bosphorus or the Prince Islands? So much to explore in such short time, but I did it all!
I was lucky to find a good deal at a hotel which was really close to the main Istanbul attractions such as Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque ,Topkapî Palace and Basilica Cisterna.
If you visit Istanbul, my advice is to take blue line of tram till Sirkeci station, from there you are 10 minutes walk away from the places I just mentioned and also able to enjoy a little bazar on your way. Another option would be to take two more stations to Sultanahmet stop and there you are, in case your feet cannot handle it. Still, I recommend walking as much as possible because the little colorful streets are also a “must” and introduce you easily in the local atmosphere.
Really beautiful architecture and the park in front of it makes the view even more stunning. I had a strange feeling inside as it used to be a church (in Constantinople) and on the walls there are christian paintings, but over the years it has been transformed in a mosque. Even if I am opened to any culture and beliefs, seeing elements from both in the same place still gave me a new sentiment.
Topkapî Palace is by far the most worth place to visit. I spent in there around 5 hours and saw something new and impressive in each room and each new garden hidden behind its gates.
Tip: Don’t hesitate to pay for audio guide, it really helps you find about the stories, myths and what was actually happening in the buildings in there, otherwise you will only enjoy what you see, but without understanding.
Not any corridor, but the one where the future wives or mistresses of the sultan were waiting to be chosen. These were wearing fake names until the decision was made, usually put by sultan’s mother as the girls were actually slaves.
From the outside I didn’t really understood where the “blue” comes from, but on the inside the color really comes into notice.
The way to Suleymaniye Mosque and beginning of Egyptian Bazaar.
Really hard to control yourself not spending all your money in a bazaar, cheap prices and shiny shop windows are very tempting.
Suleymaniye Mosque
Known to be one of the biggest mosque in Istanbul and in the country, but especially for the fact that sultan Suleyman I, his wife Hurrem and their daughter Mihrimah were buried here.
Now that I shared with you one part of Istanbul, is about time to cross the bridge to the other side, hiking around Beșiktaș area.
Old center with good restaurants and pubs
Galata Tour
Last but not least, far way from the others, is Miniaturk Park… pretty simple way to see all Turkey in one place if you ask me. Funny how it makes you feel like a giant!
All in all, Istanbul impressed me enough to make me think visiting other Turkish cities too. I feel like this country still has a lot of experiences & smiles to offer me…
It is not a goodbye, is a see you soon!
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