~ Top 10 Of The Most Intriguing Sites In Istanbul, Turkey ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Of The Most Intriguing Sites In Istanbul, Turkey

The entire city of Istanbul is filled by interesting landmarks to visit, such as historical monuments, mosques, recreation parks, modern buildings... Actually you may need even more than a whole vacation to enjoy all these places, because they are spread over two continents. The unique location of Istanbul makes this city a truly irresistible choice for a vacation or living, while the unique historical charm is complemented by an even more captivating natural beauty. It comes to the beauty of the Bosporus, as well as scenic mountain parks, coastal areas and plenty of green corners. And these are still only a few examples of all the tempting places that await you there. Therefore, a great idea is to visit at least a few or even all of the Top 10 of the most intriguing sights in Istanbul, Turkey, because they depict the historical and natural beauty of this town in a quite unforgettable way.


1. Rustem Pasha Mosque   



Rustem Pasha Mosque is a tempting choice to begin your trip, because it showcases the impressive vision of the Ottoman architectural style, but yet it is a relatively small mosque. Thus, you can fabulously dive into the historical charm of Downtown Istanbul, as well as prepare your mind, body and soul for the next quite more spectacular landmarks to visit. Your trip to Rustem Pasha Mosque will be inspired first by the exterior of the mosque, which features a rounded dome with a tall minaret. It stretches high above the cityscapes, while the lush ornaments of the exterior suggest the abundance of sights and decorations that await you from inside. Then, the interior offers an unforgettable Ottoman design, where granite and marble tiles dot all the walls, the giant chandeliers dominate all the ceilings, while the multi-coloured carpets are everywhere around the floors.

[MysteRy]

2. The Grand Bazaar   



Then, visit the Grand Bazaar. It is located in the very heart of the Sarayburnu peninsula and it is the world's largest covered market. The Grand Bazaar is spread over nearly 60 streets within the district of Fatih, while if you visit this place for the first time, it is quite normal to lose any orientation. And that's perhaps the greatest attraction of the Grand Bazaar, because you can easily forget about the time and place in which you are, and concentrate only on that you are searching for. Well, there is everything, according to everyone's taste and budget. The vibrant atmosphere is also unique and captivating, while the traditional foods and other local goods are just endless.

[MysteRy]

3. Galata Tower   



Galata Tower is one of the highest sights to visit in central Istanbul. With a height of 67 meters above ground, the enormous rounded construction of the tower is easily remarkable from quite a distance, while the surrounding historical buildings create another gorgeous accent to the yet historical ambiance. Galata Tower originates from 14th century, while nowadays, its huge cone-topped construction has one of the highest observation decks in Istanbul. This means that the panoramic vistas from atop the tower are definitely worth the climbing, especially at sunset and on a clear day. Then, all the cityscapes are bathed in the warm glow of the last sun's rays and you are high above everything, enjoying an abundance of fairytale moments.

[MysteRy]

4. Sultan Ahmed Mosque   



Sultan Ahmed Mosque is one of the largest and most impressive mosques on Sarayburnu peninsula. Moreover, it is an iconic mosque and it is best known as the Blue Mosque, thanks to its blue colours of the exterior. This is also a unique mosque, because it features a multitude of cascading domes, which are dominated by 6 giant minarets. Its nickname derives from the colours of its amazing Ottoman architecture, which features white and blue hues, while the blue waters of the Bosporus provide another supplementing blue accent. Then, imagine these blue nuances at dusk, when the blue sky acquires dark and azure nuances, while the night lights of the mosque transform everything into a quite more different sensation for the eyes. And that's only from the exterior of Sultan Ahmed Mosque.

[MysteRy]

5. Ortakoy Mosque   



Ortakoy Mosque is another intriguing mosque, mostly because of its unique location on the west bank of the Bosporus. It actually overlooks the vibrant surface of the strait, while the Bosporus Bridge creates a truly fascinating backdrop. Then, Ortakoy Mosque features a gorgeous Neo-Baroque design from the mid-19th century, and its two tall minarets stunningly complement the dome of the mosque and its white facades. During a boat trip along the coast you will be impressed by the silhouette of the mosque, while just a short impromptu walk nearby the mosque is enough to feel the majesty of the bridge, the tranquil waters, the vibrant hills, the clear blue sky and, of course – the silhouette of Ortakoy Mosque.

[MysteRy]

6. Basilica Cistern   



The Basilica Cistern is perhaps the most famous and important historical sight to visit in Istanbul, first because this is a truly ancient landmark. It originates from the early Roman ages, while the actual construction was founded in 6th century as a source of drinking water. The architectural style is also impressive, thanks to hundreds of marble pillars that dot the entire area. Among them is situated another spectacular architectural masterpiece - an upside-down head of Medusa, which is a striking and quite more mystical sight to witness. A game of shadows and lights magically enhances the entire underground atmosphere, and so your trip to the Basilica Cistern will definitely be unforgettable.

[MysteRy]

7. Rumeli Castle   



Rumeli Castle offers another journey back in time, but this time it comes to a quite more recent period. The castle complex was built by Sultan Mehmed II in the mid-15th century and it played a major role in the historical legacy of Constantinople. Rumeli Castle is located on a hill along the west bank of the strait and right next to the blue waters, while the green trees stretch all around the massive defensive walls of the caste. These walls are also filled by watchtowers and other defensive constructions, while three huge rounded towers dominate the entire skyline. During a boat trip or just a short impromptu trip to the castle you can feel the glory and majesty of this fortress, as well as enjoy a magical experience within the historical beauty of Istanbul.

[MysteRy]

8. Maiden’s Tower   



This should be a truly long historical journey, because Rumeli Castle is just huge. Nevertheless, a great idea is to enjoy the castle until the sun sets over the vibrant horizon of the sea and then enjoy a scenic boat trip to the Maiden's Tower. It has a gorgeous Masonry design and it rises over a small islet with a height of nearly 25 meters. At sunset, everything changes into a fairytale scene with dozens of exuberant colours and golden hues, while the Maiden's Tower looks like a mythical beacon over the vibrant surface of the Bosporus Strait. And the best part is that you can stop on the islet and visit the tower from inside, as well as enjoy a refreshing cup of coffee in the restaurant atop the tower. The panoramic vistas are also adorable.

[MysteRy]

9. Old City Walls of Istanbul   



The Old City Walls of Istanbul depict the amazing historical legacy of ancient Istanbul, meaning the legacy from the Byzantine era. Then, the strategic location of Constantinople played a major role for the development of the yet thriving city and so the ancient city of Constantinople was protected by massive defensive walls. Presently, you can find a number of well-preserved portions of these walls all around the old city of Istanbul and they are stunning sights to witness, thanks to their numerous gates, colours, fortified shapes, towers, etc. There are even walls, which are used as public parks and they offer amazing settings to escape from the noisy streets, as well as enjoy a couple of relaxing hours along the defensive outlook of ancient Istanbul.

[MysteRy]

10. Topkapi Palace   



On the tip of the Sarayburnu peninsula is situated an unparalleled historical paradise to explore. This is the world renowned Topkapi Palace, which is an iconic landmark from the Ottoman period, as well as gigantic recreation area. The enormous palace complex offers an even more spacious green park to explore, as well as striking vistas of the blue waters of the strait. During your trip to Topkapi Palace you can find plenty of ancient relics and artifacts, which can tell you much more about the historical and cultural background of Istanbul.


The Top 10 of the most intriguing sites in Istanbul, Turkey, are ten really impressive places, which can transform your summer escape, luxury vacation or a romantic journey, for example, into a magical collection of memories and emotions. And you will always want to get back in Istanbul, as well as explore new places, new sensations... Not to mention that the entire atmosphere of Istanbul changes throughout the year and all the landmarks change their visions, but the Top 10 of the most intriguing sights will always be on top.