DAY 1 (SULTAN AHMET SQUARE)

TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM

The construction of Topkapi Palace, which started on the order of Mehmed the Conqueror after the conquest of Istanbul, was finished in 1478. Opened as a museum on 3 April 1924 and became the first museum of the Republic for this reason, it is one of the most wonderful palace museums found across the world.

Address: Topkapi Sarayi Muzesi, Sultanahmet – Fatih / Istanbul

For more information: https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/saraylar/topkapi-sarayi

HAGIA SOPHIA MOSQUE

Being among the most essential artifacts in the world of architecture that survived to this day, Hagia Sophia holds an important place in art with its architecture, magnificence, size and functionality. Hagia Sophia, the largest church Eastern Roman Empire has ever built in Istanbul, has been constructed thrice at the same location. It was initially named “Megale Ekklesia” (Grand Church), and then it was named Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) from the 5th century until the conquest of Istanbul. Megale Ekklesia, built in 360 by Emperor Constantinus II and the church of Theodosius II  that was rebuilt in 415 were destroyed during the riots. The building, opened for worship as a church in 916 was transformed into a mosque in 1453 after the conquest of Mehmed II. Hagia Sophia was then transformed into a museum in 1935 on the order of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and the decree of the Ministerial Cabinet. It was opened for worship as a mosque with the new regulation made in 2020.

Address: Ayasofya Meydani No:1 34122 Sultanahmet

For more information: https://muze.gov.tr/muze-detay?SectionId=AYS01&DistId=AYS

You may have your lunch in restaurants at Sultan Ahmet Square that offer the traditional tastes of Turkish cuisine, and continue your trip.

BASILICA CISTERN

The history of this structure, also known as “Sunken Cistern” by the local people, but named as “Basilica Cistern” because of a basilica previously situated at its location, dates back to Byzantine Era. This magnificent structure, managed by Kultur A.S. of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, also hosts many events besides being used as a museum.

For more information: https://www.yerebatan.com/

Address: Yerebatan Cad. Alemdar Mah. 1/3 34410 Sultanahmet – Fatih/ISTANBUL

THE BLUE MOSQUE

One of the biggest achievements of the Turkish-Islamic architecture, The Blue Mosque was built by the apprentice of Mimar Sinan, Sedefkar Mehmed Agha in the 17th century on the order of Sultan Ahmet I. The mosque is among the most gorgeous structures of the city with its large social complex.

Address: At Meydani No:7 34122 Fatih / Istanbul

THE GRAND BAZAAR

The Grand Bazaar located in Beyazit district of Istanbul is considered among the oldest and largest covered markets of the world with its size and history. Containing more than 3,500 shops inside, the bazaar’s number of visitors sometimes exceeds 40 million people per year.

Address: Kapalicarsi Esnaflari Dernegi Kalpakcilar Cad. Sorguclu Han No: 22 Kapalicarsi Beyazit-Istanbul

Our suggestion for the evening is:

GULHANE PARK

Gulhane Park, filled with bird chirps and flowers, and covered under the shadows of various tree species, will calm your mind on a fresh evening after spending a tiresome but culturally rich day.

DAY 2

DOLMABAHCE PALACE: The construction of Dolmabahce Palace started in 1842 and continued until 1853, and it was used as an imperial palace and government office during the reign of Sultan Abdulmejid. Also used as the Presidency Palace during the presidency of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the palace holds great importance of the history of the Republic as it was the place where Ataturk passed away on 10 November 1938.

Address: Dolmabahce Cad. Besiktas 34357

For more information: https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/saraylar/dolmabahce-sarayi

YILDIZ PARK: It is a large grove covering the hillsides between besiktas and Ortakoy. This area, commonly known as Yildiz Park, is the outer grove of Yildiz Palace which has a quite wide range of variety in terms of vegetation. Walking courses, resting and sitting places, country coffee houses and interesting landscapes are organized inside the park.

Impressing everyone in an unique way with its view that shows the ever-changing beauties of the Bosporus, its centuries-old trees inherited from older generations, water pools and ponds, this park is an ideal place to enjoy for both the residents of the city and the visitors.

You may have your lunch here and continue with your trip after replenishing your energy.

Address: Yildiz, 34349 Besiktas/Istanbul

Let’s move on to Beyoglu for a little bit, shall we? You can walk along Istiklal Avenue, and release yourself to the magnificence of historical buildings.

CHURCH OF ST. ANTHONY: It is located on Istiklal Avenue of Beyoglu, on the left side towards the Tunnel to Galatasaray. Its construction started in 1906 and it was opened for service after being completed in 1912. Its architect is Giulio Mongeri, who was born in Istanbul. Operated by Italian priests, the church is the largest Catholic church in Istanbul. The church was constructed under Italian Neo-Gothic style using reinforced concrete.

Address: Istiklal Caddesi No: 171, 34433 Istanbul

GALATA TOWER: Galata Tower, one of the most historically significant structures of Istanbul, was constructed in 528 and was named differently throughout history. It is estimated that the height of the tower, including its roof, is 69.9 meters, with an approximate weight of 10 thousand tons and a wall thickness of 3.75 meters.

Address: Bereketzade Mahallesi Buyuk Hendek Caddesi No: 2 – 34421 Galata / Beyoglu / Istanbul

Various places around the Galata Tower are waiting to provide you the best service until the late hours of the evening and the night.

DAY 3

If you arrived to Istanbul for a 3-day long trip, the places that we are going to suggest for the third day will be on the European side. If you are staying at the European side, we recommend you to cross the Bosporus from the ports of Eminonu or Besiktas by ferry. The cute dolphins of the Bosporus will escort you along your journey.

USKUDAR

The foundation of Uskudar starts with Phoenicians settling on the area and building trade ports and shipyards at today’s Salacak coast around 1000 BCE. The district, where the settlement continued during the Roman and Byzantine periods, was called “Skutari” at that period. Uskudar became the vital center of the Anatolian Side after the conquest of Istanbul by Ottomans. Mosques and masjids, bathhouses, caravansaries, countless fountains, libraries, and many palaces, mansions and kiosks for emperors, sultans, pashas and bureaucrats were constructed. The first manned flight of the world was also carried out here by Hezarfen Celebi from Galata Tower to Uskudar.

MAIDEN’S TOWER: The history of The Maiden’s Tower, one of the most beautiful places of Istanbul, dates back to the Ancient Era. This place, which was opened to visitors in 2000 after the completion of restoration efforts commenced in 1995, is found between the places that are visited the most by many domestic and foreign tourists.

Address: Salacak Mevkii Uskudar 34668

You may have your lunch at the Maiden’s Tower, in middle of the magnificent sea of the Bosporus.

KANLICA

There are various rumors regarding the origin of Kanlica’s name. According to one of the widely accepted rumors, an Ottoman sultan once ordered his men to find the district of Istanbul with the cleanest air. He also demanded advice from his viziers regarding how it will be determined. Then, one of the viziers suggested to erect poles with a piece of bloody meat at each district, by this way, the meat in the district with the cleanest air would be the last to become rotten. The sultan accepted such a plan, and ordered the poles to be erected. Kanlica turned out to be the victor by a large margin, thus the sultan named this district “Kanlica”.

You can spend the evening of your third day at Bagdat Avenue by shopping from the stores of world-known brands located along the wide sidewalks, and by enjoying the rest of the night to its fullest at the places where you can find any kind of entertainment, before leaving Istanbul with unforgettable memories.