Originally built as Constantinople’s cathedral in the 6th century, Hagia Sophia's centerpiece is its lavish 18-story dome dotted with thousands of gold tiles. After the city was seized by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453, the church was turned into a mosque, including the addition of four towering minarets. Once the building was converted into a museum in the 1930s, restoration efforts began to uncover previously concealed artwork, including ornate mosaics depicting Christian imagery, which are still on display today.
Directly across from the massive Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque dominates Istanbul’s skyline with its multiple domes and six minarets. Built in the early 1600s, as commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I, the mosque’s elaborate interior includes more than 20,000 cobalt blue tiles and 260 stained glass windows. Regardless of your religion, visitors are required to remove their shoes and cover their heads before entering the mosque. Several vendors outside the building sell scarves for that purpose. The mosque is closed to the public during prayer times.
Lose yourself in a shopping frenzy with a trip to the Grand Bazaar Market. Built in 1461 under orders from Mehmet the Conqueror, today, the bazaar has around 4,000 shops inside its two covered markets, encompassing approximately 65 streets in the city. You can spend the day haggling prices with vendors who sell jewelry, leather goods, clothing, pottery, ceramics and more. Admission to the bazaar is free. It is closed on Sundays.
Opened in 1660, the Spice Bazaar was originally dubbed the "Egyptian Market" as it specialized in goods from Cairo. Today, the bazaar has a host of vendors selling teas, nuts, soaps and dried fruits. Of course, as the name indicates, the market highlights an array of spices, showcased in rich and colorful displays. While you may be tempted to take pictures of the dazzling presentations, ask for permission first as many vendors in the bazaar frown upon such actions.
St. Savior Chora is an ornate 11th-century church built during the Byzantine Empire. Much like Hagia Sophia, the church was eventually turned into a mosque in the 16th century, during which time the detailed mosaics were plastered over. Now a museum, the mosaics and frescoes can once again be viewed upon the church's gilded domed ceilings.
From the 15th to 19th century, lavish Topkapi Palace served as the private home to sultans and as the administrative seat for the Ottoman Empire. At one time, the sprawling compound was home to more than 5,000 residents, including concubines who lived in the sultan’s harem. A ticket grants you access to the enormous palace, including rooms that house imperial jewels, but you must purchase a separate ticket to tour the harem.
Take a journey through time as you explore the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum, home to a collection of elaborate carpets, ceramics, paintings and historic items such as peace treaties. The museum is housed inside the former palace of Ibrahim Pasa, the one-time slave who became the beloved friend and advisor to Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent.
