Istanbul is one of the world’s most stunning and active cities, located at the gathering spot of continents, religions, and cultures. Almost every district has remnants of different historical eras. The unmatched Istanbul welcomes travellers on streets that have seen numerous significant historical moments while presenting the image of a modern, global metropolis. If you already applied for your e-visa to turkey in advance, then best time to discover Istanbul is in the spring when it is warm enough to sit outside in cafés or restaurants along the Bosphorus coast and take in the sun. Istanbul celebrates spring’s arrival with tulips covering the entire city, Judas trees that bloom along the Bosphorus coastline, and the Tulip Festival in Göztepe Park and Emirgan Forest.
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Istanbul welcomes visitors with its World Heritage Sites, food that includes Ottoman cuisine and seafood menus from the Bosphorus, artistic events, and a shopping experience that combines the old and new. The city offers a wide range of attractions to explore, events to attend, and cuisines to taste all year long. Here are a few ideas if you need help determining where to begin visiting this historic city.
İstanbul: A City of Culture and History
The Topkapi Palace, built by Mehmet I (the Conqueror) in 1478, is one of the most significant examples of Ottoman architecture and was the administrative centre for the Ottoman sultans who ruled the country for four centuries. Topkapi Palace, located in the city’s Sarayburnu (Seraglio Point) district, is where the sultans’ personal belongings and magnificent royal gems, including the Spoonmaker’s Diamond, are kept. The mantle, beard hair, and footprints of the Prophet Mohammed, as well as Abraham’s pot, Moses’ staff, David’s sword, and Joseph’s turban, are among the significant relics on display in the Chamber of Sacred Relics. The Hagia Sophia is an essential stop in ancient Istanbul. When Mehmet I conquered the city, Hagia Sophia, which had been ordered by the emperor Justinian, it went into operation on December 27, 537. Hagia Sophia is a beautiful structure with spectacular and captivating architecture, and it is currently open to the public as a museum.
The Blue Mosque, another must-see location on any trip to the Historical Peninsula, is among the finest examples of Turkish-Islamic architecture. It gets its name from the colour of the magnificent tiles that adorn its interior. The Süleymaniye Mosque, which is nearby, was built by Sinan, the Architect, after Suleyman I (the Magnificent) requested it in 1550. The mosque’s architectural beauty is stunning and further enhanced by the majesty of the Ottoman Empire’s golden age of growth.
Galata Tower and the Crimea Memorial Church
One of the oldest towers in the world and a member of UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List, Galata Tower was built as a lighthouse by the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius in 528 and later served as a fire watch tower for the Ottoman Empire. It now welcomes visitors as both a restaurant and a museum. Additionally, while in Galata, you should stop by the Crimea Memorial Church, the only Anglican church in Istanbul and a classic Scottish-English town church built by the British during the Crimean War.
İstanbul reveals its matchless beauty during a boat tour on the Bosphorus.
A ferry ride along the strait is necessary for addition to the shoreline tour of the Bosphorus. Throughout the journey, you can get off the boat at the docks in the various neighbourhoods along the Bosphorus. On the European side, the Dolmabahçe Palace, which Sultan Abdülmecid built, is one of the finest Ottoman palaces that travellers can view from the water. Including the Sultan Abdülaziz-commissioned Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian side and the Ciragan Palace on the European side. Visitors will see the Bosphorus’ unmatched beauty thanks to its magnificent Ortaköy Mosque, historical palaces, waterfront homes that showcase both old and new architecture, modest historic piers in each district, and restaurants on both banks.
Princes’ Islands, mimosas and Judas trees
Those willing to put up with a little more for natural beauty can enjoy a fun ferry voyage to the Princes Islands while being entertained by seagulls. The ideal time of year to get a trip involves a long uphill climb to the Monastery of St. Georgia in Büyükada is in the spring. A stroll to the St. Spyridon Monastery in Heybeliada and a delicious meal in Kalpazankaya in Burgazada while the sun was setting.
Early spring in Istanbul is mimosa season, which mesmerises tourists with its aroma and scenery, especially in the princes’ islands. Those who miss the mimosas can still enjoy the Judas trees in April, which line the Bosphorus and turn the city purple.
Kuzguncuk
Kuzguncuk, a small town, is one of the districts on the Asian side of Istanbul that must be seen. Its well-kept, attached buildings are soaked in cultural and historic character. One of the loveliest places for fishermen to travel to, The Kuzguncuk “naralt” Tea Garden, one of the most pleasant locations for tea or coffee by the sea, is a favoured destination for those who enjoy their tea and coffee in addition to kebab shops and restaurants known for their traditional Turkish home cuisine.
Balat
Balat, one of the districts on the European side of Istanbul that has kept its mediaeval character with cobblestone streets and vibrant, two- or three-story wood buildings with oriel windows, is included as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Balat is a popular tourist destination with art galleries, a breathtaking view of the Golden Horn from its streets, and several Jewish, Christian, and Muslim-owned buildings. St. Nicholas, St. George, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, St. Demetrius Church, the Bulgarian St. Stephen Church, the Gül Mosque, the Wood Minaret Mosque, the Küçük Mustafa Paşa Bathhouse, and the Chora Museum are significant buildings that represent an important historical heritage.
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