Istanbul
"If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul." Alphonse de Lamartine
With 2600 years of history, Istanbul, previously known as Byzance and Constantinople, was occupied by the Greeks, Romans, the Christians and then the Ottomans. Not surprisingly it has a hugely rich cultural and historic heritage.
This owes much to the fact that it straddles the European side and the Asian side of the Bosphorus, linking the Marmara and the Black Seas. To the south lie the Princes’ islands.
During its long history, the city has welcomed Christians, Armenians, Jews and Muslims and is heaving with countless examples of architecture reflecting this.
Balat: Colourful Houses, Atmospheric Cafés and Photo Ops
Ortaköy: Lively and Delightful
Büyükada, Princes' Islands, Turkey
Activities
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Bebek, Istanbul
The Bebek district, on the Bosphorus, was a fashionable place to live during the 18th and 19th centuries with over 40 coastal palaces and gardens.
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Cecconi’s, Istanbul
At the back of the Palazzo Corpi building, Cecconi's is a modern-classic Italian restaurant.
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Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul
Built by Sultan Abdülmecit, the 31st Sultan, between 1843-1856. Dolmabahce Palace was built in the Western-influenced Baroque style.
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Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Istanbul
The Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate has been the spiritual centre of the Greek Orthodox world since around 1600.
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Greek Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, Heybeliada
Near the pier, in the lane İmralı Sokak, there is a Greek Orthodox church of St. Nicholas (1857), in the central part of the island of Heybeliada the Kamariotissa Monastery, and on the southwestern coast in Çam Limanı the hermitage of St. Spyridon.
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Gulhane Park, Istanbul
Close to the Hagia Sophia, the Istanbul Archeology Museum, the Blue Mosque, and the Underground Cistern, Gulhane Park is the oldest and largest park in Istanbul and is the perfect place for a sight-seeing pause with its glorious view over the Bosporus.
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Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
Hagia Sophia is a basilica and planned patriarchal cathedral built by Justinian I between the years 532 and 537 in the old part of Istanbul.
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Hagios Nikolaos, Heybeliada
The Greek Orthodox church of St. Nicholas (Hagios Nikolaos) in Heybeliada dominates the main square of the village, two short blocks in from the sea bus iskele.
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Holy Trinity Monastery, Heybeliada
The name of the Holy Trinity on Heybeliada is found in a famous list of churches and monasteries of the 16th century, compiled by the head priest of the German Church in Istanbul.
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Istanbul Toy Museum, Istanbul
A museum with over 4,000 toys and miniatures from Turkey and abroad; many of them antiques, all of them collected by poet and writer Sunay Akin. They are housed in an exquisite wooden house.
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Naval Museum, Istanbul
The largest maritime museum in Turkey, the Naval Museum has around 20,000 works in its collection.
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Ortakoy, Istanbul
Ortakoy, under the European side of the Bosphorus Bridge, with its beautiful mosque, church, synagogue, and its colorful bazaar, and lively atmosphere is, without doubt, one of the most delightful areas of Istanbul.
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Panorama 1453 Museum of History, Istanbul
Panoramic 1453 Museum is the only museum where the entire hemisphere is exhibited, by including the sky in the picture, as well as the circular display of panoramic pictures. The work emerged after eight artists worked for three years allowing it to open in 2009.
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Taksim Square, Istanbul
In the Beyoglu district of Istanbul, Taksim Square is one of the most famous spots in the city of Istanbul with its restaurants, shops, hotels, entertainment and cultural sites.
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The Blue Mosque, Istanbul
Sultan Ahmet I, ascended the throne at the age of 14 and by 19 he wanted a mosque built in his name that would be visible from everywhere in Istanbul.
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Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul
Topkapi Palace was built between 1460-1478. It bears traces of the nomadic culture peculiar to the Turks.
