Istanbul has a timeless charm, mainly due to the important history behind it. Historically also known as Byzantium and Constantinople, it was the capital of many past empires. The remains of the ancient splendors are still visible today in the extraordinary architectural treasures perfectly preserved in the heart of the city, one above all Santa Sofia. Once a cathedral, later a mosque and finally a museum, this wonderful building that time has not managed to scratch continues to enchant visitors from all over the world with its grandeur and its precious mosaics.
What not to miss in Istanbul
1. Hagia Sophia
The Hagia Sophia is the emblem of this superposition: built in 537 at the behest of Justinian, this church was first a Christian cathedral of the Byzantine rite, then a Catholic cathedral, then again a mosque and, finally, from 1935, a museum at the
behest of Atatürk , father of modern Turkey. It was thanks to this last use that the Byzantine imprint, particularly evident in the wall decorations, came to light.
2. Archeology Museum
Overlooking the Bosphorus, behind the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayi) was the nerve center of Ottoman power for over 4 centuries, until the mid- 19th century. The location on the sea served not only to reaffirm the supremacy of the empire, but also to control the maritime traffic in transit between the Black and Mediterranean Seas.
3. Chora Church
No longer a church or a mosque, but a museum popular by those visitors who are not satisfied with the “usual tours”. Travelers, not just tourists who, moved by the desire to deepen the soul of Istanbul, go as far as the Edirne Gate near the city walls, where the museum complex of the Chora church is located.
Wonderful Hotels
To discover Istanbul it is useful to know its geography. The city is divided into two parts, the western European and the eastern Asian and the Bosphorus Strait marks the border between these two areas. In general terms, the Asian side is less touristy, although neighborhoods like Kadıköy are a good option to stay, regardless of the distance from the center and other circumstances. The European part, on the other hand, is the one most visited by tourists because it houses the main monuments and places of tourist interest. But, in addition, this same part of Europe has another division of its own, marked by a historic estuary, a sort of spectacular natural harbor that extends into the ground. A list of Instanbul hotels prices is helpful to plan your stay in this beautiful city.
How to get to and around Istanbul
The best way to get around Istanbul? On foot. This is because the particular shape of the Turkish capital makes it more complicated and sometimes slow to use the means, even if these are useful for moving from one district to another and reaching the elevated areas of the city. Istanbul is in fact divided internally by the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus and at the same time some areas of the city, in particular the historical ones, develop around a maze of narrow and winding alleys, some of them sloping, which make it difficult the passage of public transport. In addition, on foot you will be able to better grasp the unique atmosphere of Istanbul and admire places that you would not be able to see on board the vehicles. And when you have to travel long distances you can rely on the public transport network consisting of buses, taxis, dolmus, trams and metro that offer an economical and efficient service. Ferries are a pleasant way to visit the city, while avoiding road traffic. The easiest way to reach Instanbul is flying into the brand new airport (IST) located in the Arnavutkoy area. We suggest to make a flight booking in advance if you want to take advantage of the best rates.
