Turkey Travel Guide:

 Best Places to Visit in Istanbul

Istanbul Climate

Istanbul is divided by the Bosporus, an 18 mile long channel that links the Black Sea with the Sea of Mamara.  The western side of the Bosporus marks the eastern shores of Europe while the eastern side marks the western extent of Asia.  Istanbul  is a city of aliases.  It was known as Constantinople when it was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, although originally called Byzantium.  In1453 Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks, renamed Istanbul and became the capital of the Ottoman Empire, the most powerful Islamic empire in world history.  The Ottoman Sultanate was abolished in 1922 after the war of Turkish Independence, which was led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, regarded as the “father of modern Turkey”.

Most of the celebrated antiquities of Istanbul are found on the “European” or western  side of the Bosporus and concentrated to the south of the Golden Horn.   The Golden horn ( a freshwater estuary) separates  the Old City (Sultanahmet) from the more modern Beyoglu.  You will want to spend the majority of your time in the Old Town but you will find that major shopping areas, many great restaurants and the Dolmbahce Palace are to the north across the Galata Bridge in Beyoglu.

Travel using conventional taxi’s or water taxis.  Istanbul is a great town for walking but the different sections of the city are far apart.  Do not hesitate to grab a taxi when the day grows hot or the distance to walk back to your hotel is too long.  Eventually you are going to want to see the eastern side of the city and a water taxi is just the ticket. 

Arriving in Istanbul provides sensory overload, as it is truly the place where East meets West.  If you arrive by boat, the view from the docks is a feast for the eyes, as the combinations of architectural styles assault the sense. While one expects mosques to abound in Istanbul, the profile of the Old City is dominated by massive domes and minarets reaching for the sky.  

When docking in Istanbul you will see the beautiful Süleymaniye Mosque

Topkapi Sarayi (Topkapi Palace) dates from 15^th century and was the primary royal palace for the duration of the Ottoman Empire. Topkapi Palace, sits on the edge of the old city overlooking both the Bosporus and the Golden Horn.  The Topkapi was extended and rebuilt several times during the Ottoman reign but the architecture is pleasing and the site is one of the most popular in Istanbul. 

One of the  rooms in the Harem at Topkapi Palace.  Entry to the Harem is  quite limited and  the Harem can be seen only on the Harem tour. ©ThereArePlaces or Its Suppliers

The palace was used for state occasions but was also the residence of the sultans and their harems (their wives and families).  Because of this relationship, Topkapi offers the visitor several spectacular opportunities.  It houses a fine collection of Ottoman artifacts including imperial jewels, porcelain, armor and weapons (although some are so jewel encrusted it is doubtful they were used for fighting, especially the Topkapi Dagger).  In addition, the  palace includes holy relics of the Prophet Mohammed that are revered throughout the Islamic world. Finally, there is a great interest in the Harem and, if you are interested in visiting the Harem, you must buy a ticket for the Harem tour.  Entry to the Harem is limited and you should attempt to make a reservation to visit as soon as you arrive in Istanbul.

Topkapi is open from 19:00 to 17:00 every day except Tuesday.  As noted above, the Harem is a separate tour and ticket.  Telephone 90 0210512 04 80.

Everywhere you look in Topkapi Palace you will see signs of luxury and the immense wealth of the Ottoman Empire.  The decorative detail  is astonishing.  ©ThereArePlaces or Its Suppliers

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Looking toward the "New City" from Topkapi Palace

Another view of the warren of rooms that comprise the interior of the Harem

 

More Istanbul Grand Mosques Hagia Sofia  The Bazaars Yerebatan Cistern Dolmabahce Palace The Bosporus Best Places to Visit in Turkey