Baklava in Istanbul? A çok güzel city!
Hello dear explorer of Istanbul!😘
"Nasılsın?" means "How are you?"😉
Istanbul is the largest city of Turkey and one of the biggest cities in the world. Here you can see a modern western city combined with a traditional eastern city. This makes Istanbul a fascinating city, built on two Continents and divided by Bosphorus Strait. 🌉
Probably you have heard recently BRIANNA's song "Lost in Istanbul". If not, I bet you heard about Sultan Süleyman The Magnificent, Hürrem Sultan, Burak Özçivit, Baklava, Kebab, Bosphorus Cruise, Blue Mosque, Fire of Anatolia, Turkish Airlines and so on. All these symbols make me think of Turkey.
I visited Turkey 5 times: once Antalya, once Alanya and 3 times Istanbul. I think I will return here soon because I want to visit Pamukkale 😍 (click the link https://www.booking.com/landmark/tr/hierapolis-pamukkale-turkey.en.html?aid=1971070&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&label=ATB).
If you plan to visit Istanbul, you need to know some things before you come here. First of all, passport and visa is required. The actual standard time zone in Turkey is UTC/GMT +3 hours.
The religion is Islam. Muslims have to pray 5 times a day (The Early Morning Prayer, The Noon Prayer, The Mid-Afternoon prayer, The sunset prayer, The Evening prayer).
Muslims believe that by offering prayers five times a day they are strengthened and enlivened in their beliefs in Allah, and that they are inspired to a higher morality. If you want to visit a Mosque, you have to dress decent. Women have to cover their hair. It's important to respect their religion. They will appreciate it.
Where to stay in Istanbul? 🏨🏡
Central places are ideal, but try to book near public transport so that you won't waste time. So click the link https://www.booking.com/city/tr/istanbul.en.html?aid=1971070&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&label=ATB.
When I landed at Istanbul Atatürk Airport the first thing I did was money exchange. The currency in Turkey is Turkish lira. Click the link for more info https://www.xe.com/currency/try-turkish-lira. Now Istanbul Atatürk Airport is closed and it's used Istanbul New Airport.
Public transport helps you to save time moving quickly and cheaply. To use all public transport in Istanbul (boats, subways, buses, trams, funiculars ), you will need the magnetic card (Istanbul Kart). It costs 7 TL, you will then add credit as you know. Click the link for Metro Map https://istanbulclues.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Metro-Map-Istanbul-2017-PDF.pdf. It is open from 6:15 to 0:00. The T1 line will allow you to reach to the main attractions of the city:
- Kabataş — Dolmabahçe Palace;
- Eminönü — Spice Market and Galata Bridge;
- Sultanahmet — Topkapi Palace , Hagia Sophia , Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern , Archaeology Museum;
- Beyazit — Grand Bazaar.
Now let's see what are the TOP things to do in Istanbul😉👌:
1. Dolmabahçe Palace Museum - Was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire for almost a century, then it served as the house of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic. The interiors mix Rococo, Baroque, Neoclassical, and Ottoman elements, with mammoth crystal chandeliers, liberal use of gold, French-style furniture.
Dolmabahçe Palace is Turkey’s most glamorous palace and also is home to the world’s largest Bohemian crystal chandelier, a gift from Queen Victoria. Usually people spend 2-3 hours and 60 TL. Monday is closed.
2. Suleymaniye Mosque - Built in 1550 by the Sultan Süleyman The Magnificent. The mosque, indeed, is magnificent, blending the best of Islamic and Byzantine architecture. Has one of the most amazing views of the Golden Horn and the mouth of the Bosphorus. People spend half an hour and it's free.
3. Topkapi Palace - Rich in the history of the Ottoman Empire, the Topkapi Palace is one of the must-see attractions in Istanbul. At one time it was an official royal residence of the Ottoman Empire sultans and seat of Turkish government, but is now a museum that is considered the largest and oldest palace in the world. In 2013 I spent more than 4 hours because it was very crowded. To fully see Topkapi Palace, you'll need at least half a day.
4. Walk across the Galata Bridge at sunset - Nearby is Galata Tower (25 TL) and you must try the delicious Fish Sandwich. It's around 12 TL but when you are hungry a break is welcome.
5. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) Museum - Once a church, then a mosque and now it is a museum. It is most famous for its mosaics depicting various religious scenes. The Aya Sofya has remained one of Istanbul's most cherished landmarks. People spend 2 hours and 30 TL. Monday is closed.
6. Blue (Sultan Ahmed) Mosque - The mosque, built by Sultan Ahmet, takes its name from the blue tiles on the dome and the upper levels of the interior. It remains an active house of worship today.
All visitors must remove their shoes and women must cover their hair. Also visitors need to time their visits carefully, as the mosque is closed to sightseers during the five daily prayer times for Muslims. People spend half an hour and it's free.
7. Eat baklava and kebab. Drink Turkish tea/coffee - Turkish Cuisine is largely the heritage of Ottoman cuisine (with a lighter use of spices). The cuisine is famous for its variety of desserts 🍰 (baklava, şöbiyet, kadayıf,Turkish delight) and kebabs.
Frequently used ingredients in Turkish specialties include lamb, beef, rice, fish, vegetables and so on. Lahmacun is another delicious dish known as Turkish pizza.😍
8. Test your bargaining skills in Grand Bazaar - Travelers who love to shop shouldn’t miss out a visit to the Grand Bazaar. It’s one of the largest and oldest markets in the world. People spend more than 2 hours and a lot of money.🤣
9. Take a Bosphorus Cruise - A cruise on the Bosphorus is probably the most overlooked Istanbul tourist attraction. A dinner cruise on the Bosphorus provides evening views of Istanbul for a different perspective of the city. As you travel along this waterway that leads to the Black Sea, you'll enjoy food, drinks, and a live show on board. 💃🎶🎉
10. The Basilica Cistern - Has been providing Istanbul residents with water since the sixth century when it was ordered built by the Roman Emperor Justinian I. The cistern is one of the locations used in From Russia with Love, a James Bond thriller filmed in 1963. People spend 2 hours and 10 TL.
I hope you enjoyed the article and took some great info for your trip! Thank you for your time and have a wonderful and inspiring day!
Andra😘💋
Source for describing the sights: Wikipedia
