PLACES TO VISIT IN ISTANBUL
PLACES TO VISIT IN ISTANBUL
PLACES TO VISIT ON THE ANATOLIAN SIDE OF ISTANBUL
1-MAIDEN’S TOWER
The Maiden’s Tower is located in Üsküdar on the Anatolian side. The legendary building in the middle of the Bosphorus serves as both a restaurant and a museum. You can have a romantic meal in the evening while having your breakfast accompanied by the wonderful Istanbul view in the morning.Reservations are required for evening meals.
2-POLONEZKOY NATURE PARK
Polonezköy Nature Park, the largest park in Istanbul, is located in Beykoz. You can do sports in the morning, ride a bike or have a picnic in this park. Entrances are opened from 8 am to 8 pm. You will pay entrance fee for this park.
3-CAMLICA HILL
Çamlıca Hill is located in Üsküdar. Çamlica Hill, consisting of two small and large hills, is the highest point of Istanbul. The big hill is 268 meters above sea level. When you climb this hill, you can see all of Istanbul, the Islands, the Sea of Marmara, the Black Sea and the Golden Horn. In addition, Çamlıca Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Turkey, is located here. There are also facilities where you can enjoy the view on Çamlica Hill. It has entrance fee.
4-DRAGOS HILL
It is a unique place where you can see the view of Istanbul from another angle. Dragos Hill is located in Kartal.Entry to Dragos Hill is free.
5-MIHRABAT GROVE
It is located in Beykoz. Various events such as weddings and concerts are held. There is also a country restaurant serving here. There is an entrance fee.
6-GOZDAGI GROVE
It is located in Pendik. This grove is 206 meters in high. You can see the unique view of the Marmara Sea and the colorful islands on it. It is a place where you can go with your family and have a good time, have a picnic and if you wish, you can eat delicious meals in the facility located inside. Also, there is no entrance fee.
7-NEZAHAT GOKYIGIT BOTANICAL GARDEN
It is located in Ataşehir. Various horticultural trainings are given in this botanical garden. It is a great place to leave crowding of the city. This garden contains many plant species. It is free of charge.
8-BUYUKADA
It is a natural wonder that you must visit on a weekend. It is the largest of the islands called the Prince Islands. It has beaches, museums and cute places. When you go to Büyükada, you can visit the Greek Orphanage, Hagia Yorgi Church, Hamidiye Mosque, Adakule, Islands Museum, Princess Bay, Virgin Mary Church, Muslim Cemetery and the House of the famous writer Reşat Nuri Güntekin. Aya Yorgi Church has a special importance for Christians. Many visitors come to the church, which is considered one of the two pilgrimage destinations in Turkey.
9-HEYBELIADA
Another Prince Island member is Heybeliada. When you come to the island, you can visit Heybeliada Naval High School, Aya Yorgi Cliff Monastery with its pink appearance and Beet Yaakov Synagogue. It is more silent than Büyükada.
10-KINALIADA
It is the closest Prince Island to Istanbul. This island is preferred by visitors due to its sea especially. The most known beach is Ayazma Beach. You can also visit the Hristos Hill and Monastery, the Greek Cemetery, the Surp Krikor Lusavoriç Armenian Church and the Sirakyan Twin Houses while you are there.
11-BEYLERBEYI PALACE
It is located in Üsküdar. Made by Sarkis Balyan. You should spare a day to visit the palace, which fascinates people with its architecture. It is open to visitors except Mondays.
12-ANADOLU FORTRESS
It was built by Yıldırım Beyazıt. It was built directly opposite the Rumeli Fortress on the European side. Located on an area of 7000 square meters, the fortress was of great importance for the country at the time due to its location. Now it is a great place to watch the view of Göksu Stream and the Bosphorus. Also, you can eat and drink something at the cafe near there.
13-HAYDARPASA TRAIN STATION
Haydarpaşa Station, which has an important place in most Turkish films, was a spiritual place where great reunions and separations took place during its time. The station becomes older and now it is closed. You can only see the building by ferry. People are waiting for opening day of it impatiently.
14-MODA BEACH
It is located in Kadıköy. You can take morning walks or picnic along this coastline. You can also visit the Barış Manço Museum, Moda Park and Yoghurtçu Park and eat the ice cream you bought from Ice Cream Shop Ali Usta.
15-KADIKOY BAR STREET
It is a street where you can get enough of entertainment in Kadıköy, where there are rows of bars on both sides. Rexx Cinema is located at the entrance of the street where bars of various styles are located. You can also eat kokoreç or tantuni after the entertainment.
PLACES TO VISIT ON THE EUROPEAN SIDE
1-SULTANAHMET SQUARE
Perhaps the first place that comes to mind when Istanbul is mentioned is Sultanahmet Square. There are Blue Mosque, German Fountain, Egyptian Obelisk, Knitted Obelisk, Serpent Column, famous bazaars and historical meatball shops in Sultanahmet Square. You should also visit Basilica Cistern when you come to Sultanahmet Square.
2-HAGIA SOPHIA MUSEUM
Hagia Sophia, known as the eighth wonder of the world, is an important work for many cultures and many nations. Hagia Sophia still carries its history in its unique architecture.
3-TOPKAPI PALACE
Topkapı Palace, which was the place where state affairs were carried out for a long time during the Ottoman Period, was turned into a museum with the proclamation of the Republic. Very valuable and historical artifacts are exhibited in it. Entry is paid.
4-GULHANE PARK
It is located in Fatih district, near Topkapi Palace. It is a park with many plants. There are many cafes and museums inside. Entry is free and the park is open for 24 hours. You can watch the Bosphorus view from Gülhane Park.
5-BEYAZIT SQUARE
There are many bazaars in the historical Beyazıt Square. The southwest entrance of the Grand Bazaar is located here. You should also visit the famous Booksellers’ Bazaar and Spice Bazaar.
6-EMINONU AND SIRKECI
Eminönü, known as the heart of trade, was built in 1663. You can visit New Mosque and Spice Bazaar in Eminönü. You can eat grilled fish sandwich or eat meals in restaurants in Sirkeci.
7-KARAKOY
It is the liveliest and busiest place in Istanbul. You can go Tophane or sit at the cafes on the famous French Passage. There are many mosques, museums and cafes to visit in Tophane. While you are in Karaköy, if you are fond of sweets, you should definitely go to historical dessert shops.
8-GALATA TOWER
It is another place that is the most visited and crowded in Istanbul. You can see Bosphorus and Golden Horn at the same time. After the coffee break, you can go to Tünel and you can visit St.Auntuan Church, Republic Monument, Istiklal Street, Fish Market and Historical Flower Passage.
9-MADAME TUSSAUDS MUSEUM
Madame Tussauds Museum is a wax sculpture museum. There are wax statues of many famous names such as Atatürk, Einstein, Leonardo de Vinci, Madonna, Zeki Müren, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Barış Manço in the museum located on Istiklal Street.
10-BESIKTAS-BOSPHORUS
You can visit the famous bazaar of Beşiktaş on the Ortaköy line and Ortaköy Mosque. It is visited by students mostly. You can see the Bosphorus view on the beach. You can eat kumpir from the famous kumpir restaurants.
11-EYUP SULTAN MOSQUE AND PIERRE LOTI
Eyüp Sultan Mosque, built in the 1400s, is a unique structure that still stands without being defeated by history. After being fascinated by this place, you can eat at the restaurants around the mosque and drink your tea or coffee while enjoying the view on Pierre Loti Hill.
12-YEDIKULE DUNGEONS
Yedikule Dungeons are located in Fatih. Fatih is a historical district of Istanbul. In Fatih, you can visit Fatih Mosque, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Han Tomb,Women’s Market and Horse Market.
13-SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE
It has fascinating architecture. It was built by famous Mimar Sinan.There are many different sections around the mosque, which was built for Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, the Sultan of the time, such as a bath, library, madrasah, hospital and soup kitchen. You should definitely visit this building in Fatih.
14-DOLMABAHCE PALACE
Dolmabahçe Palace is a very important building for both the Ottoman Period and the Republican Period. Atatürk died in this palace in room 71. It is a place that is frequently visited every 10 November and other days.
15-BALAT
Many different nations lived in Balat, which was protected by UNESCO. You can still see the cultures of Jewish, Greek and Armenian on its streets. You can sit in the cafes that are placed in the colorful streets. We also recommend you to visit the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Fener Greek Boys’ High School, Kiremit Street Houses and Balat Culture House.
