Area Attractions - Important Centers - Historical & Cultural Places
Blue Mosque (5 minutes on walk): Built in the 17th century, Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) is one of the master works of Ottoman Architecture. It is located in the center of Old Town and across to Hagia Sophia Museum. Inside of the Mosque is decorated with some of the best examples of Turkish tiles in blue and green colors.
Hagia Sophia Museum (8 minutes on walk): Hagia Sophia Museum, built in the 6th century, was the Imperial Church of Byzantine Empire and converted to a Mosque after the conquest of Constantinople. It is one of the most important monuments of Antiquity, and unique for housing the symbols of Christianity and Islam within one unit.
Topkapi Palace Museum (12 minutes on walk): The residence of Ottoman Sultans until 18th century and the most significant symbol of the Empire. Today, it serves as a museum where the Treasury of Empire and other important heritage such Sacred Relics, Chinese porcelains, weapons, garments are exhibited. Harem section of the Palace is also unique to visit.
Basilica Cistern (10 minutes on walk): The main water source of Constantinople, had been used as a cistern for centuries. The interior has a fascinating atmosphere with standing marble columns remain from ancient temples.
Roman Hippodrome (5 minutes on walk): The site of races, riots, festivals and important events in history of Istanbul. It was decorated by monuments of Antiquity of which today are still standing such as Serpent Column, Obelisk and German Fountain.
Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum (8 minutes on walk): Constructed in 1524, the building was formerly the palace of Damad Ibrahim Pasha, who was the first grand vizier to Suleiman the Magnificent, and husband of the Sultan's sister. The collection includes notable examples of Islamic calligraphy, tiles, and rugs as well as ethnographic displays on various cultures in Turkey, particularly nomad groups. These displays recreate rooms or dwellings from different time periods and regions.
Archeology Museum (15 minutes on walk): It houses over a million objects that represent almost all of the eras and civilizations in world history. The extremely ornate Alexander Sarcophagus, once believed to be prepared for Alexander the Great, is among the most famous pieces of ancient art in the museum.
Grand Bazaar (20 minutes on walk): Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shops [2][3] which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. The main objects of shopping are jewelry, leather, ceramics and rugs. It deserves to spend a half day in the Bazaar.
Egyptian Market (25 minutes on walk): The Spice Bazaar is one of the largest bazaars in the city. It is the second largest covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar. A bustling gastronomic paradise since 1664, it is the best place to pick up dried fruits and nuts, spices, olives, Turkish delight, oils and essences of the finest dishes.
Suleymaniye Mosque (30 minutes on walk): It is the largest mosque in the city, and one of the best-known sights of Istanbul. Built in the 16th century by Suleyman the Magnificient's order to the most well-known Turkish Architect Mimar Sinan, it is one of the most important example of Ottoman Architecture.
Eminonu & Karakoy Districts (30 minutes on walk): The area is among the busiest places in Istanbul and housing some of the most visited sites such as Egyptian Market, Ferry ports for Bosphorus and Asia, Galata Bridge, The New Mosque and the main bus station for Golden Horn area. The tram leading to Taksim via Kabatas passing through the site and also there is a subway connection from Karakoy to Galata at site. Zulfaris Synagogue (Jewish Museum of Turkey) is found in Karakoy too. Fish&Bread selling boats by the ports in Eminonu offer a cheap and delicious option for a quick meal.
Istanbul Museum of Modern Art: Turkey’s first private museum to organize modern and contemporary art exhibitions, was founded in 2004 and has moved to a temporary space in Beyoğlu, where it will welcome visitors from May 2018 onward for three years while its new building is being constructed. For information: www.istanbulmodern.org