The Topkapi Palace also called the Old City Palace, is a walled city that sits on top of Istanbul's Seraglio Point hill. In 1465, it was a great walled city that included buildings, gardens, towers and thick, protective walls lined with ramparts and bastions. It served as the Sultan's home and seat of government for the next 600 years and housed up to 3,000 people, including the Sultan's harem, administrators and a military. The palace gives visitors a glimpse of the opulence of the Ottoman Empire, including a gold Sultans' throne, silk ceremonial robes and spectacular pavilions and gardens filled with white roses and graceful Cypress trees.
Topkapı Palace Museum
Sultanahmet, Fatih
Istanbul, Turkey
+0212 512 04 80
topkapisarayi.gov.tr
The Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul's crown jewels. Situated in the city's Atmeydani area, the Mosque features a voluptuous dome surrounded by minarets and is considered to be a classic example of Turkish architecture. Built in 1616, visitors enter a forecourt lined with colonnades and a central foundation. The interior features thousands of blue Iznik tiles and more than 250 stained glass windows, which cause the space to shine with blue light (and give the Mosque its name). If you wait until the sun sets, you can catch a dramatic Sound and Light show on the grounds.
Sultanahmet
Istanbul, Turkey
+0212 518 1319
Merchants and traders have traveled the Silk Road to reach the Grand Bazaar or Kapalı Çarşı since the 15th century, and today the vast market is still teeming bazaar where visitors can find everything from carpets to coriander. The massive complex is a labyrinth of stalls, cafes, mosques covered by ornate ceilings. There are more than 4,000 stalls that line more than 60 streets, so wear comfortable shoes and prepare to haggle.
Grand Bazaar
Beyazit
Istanbul, Turkey
grandbazaaristanbul.org
The Hagia Sophia, which is also called the Aya Sofya, is an ancient basilica that is widely considered to be the best example of Byzantine architecture in the world. Built in 537 AD, the Hagia Sofya stood as the world's largest cathedral for nearly 1,000 years. The massive dome appears to be suspended in space, and the interior features marble pillars and intricate mosaics. Today, it is a museum that houses relics from the Ottoman Empire, such as huge circular shields inscribed with verses from the Koran.
Hagia Sophia
Sultanahmet, in front of Topkapi Palace
Istanbul, Turkey
+0212 522 1750
hagiasophia.com
