Istanbul is the city of merged cultures, a pathway to past, present, and future. A City with the combination of mysticism gained from East and colors of modernity borrowed from West. Istanbul not only joins the two cultures but it is constant time travel between marvelous past and progressing present.
Istanbul is the balanced traditional and contemporary central hub that connects Europe and Asia. Its blend of two cultures and traditions makes it the most visited and significant place in the world. Every year thousands of visitors come to Istanbul and observe the harmony of two opposite cultures and people.
Are you planning a visit to Istanbul?
If you are deciding tourism in Istanbul, this article is an overview of famous tourist attractions in Istanbul.
You need to follow the following guidelines to see the city in one day by a sightseeing tour of Istanbul. You can see the fabulous attractions of Istanbul on this walking tour. If you have more days to spend in Istanbul you can choose Big Bus Hop-On-Hop off a tour of Istanbul. From Galata Tower to Basilica Cistern, and from Suleymaniye Mosque to Grand Bazar you have so many options to explore and enjoy the charm of this city. The top 10 famous attractions of Istanbul are:
- Hagia Sophia:
Hagia Sophia is known as the House of worship and for centuries it served several religions. It was built in 537. It remains as a Roman Catholic Church for more than five centuries than turn into the mosque in 1453 and remains as till 1931. The mosaics of this Byzantine architecture depict various religious scenes.
- Blue Mosque:
This greatest architecture of the 17th century is still an active worship house. It has 20,000 ceramic tiles arranged in tulip designs and 200 intricate designed stained glass windows that make it a priceless treasure for visitors.
- Topkapi Palace:
A beautiful combination of stunning and mesmerizing sceneries with precious history is an experience of a lifetime for visitors. This masterpiece of the Ottoman Empire is the largest and oldest palace that is now a museum. It has a huge collection of old weapons of the sultan, porcelain collection of palace kitchen, and collection of clocks and jewels.
- Dolmabahce Palace:
There are no words to explain the beauty of Dolmabahce Palace. It is just plush, luxurious, and stunning. A blend of Rococo and Neoclassical European style with the traditional architecture of Ottoman counts it into the most glamorous and royal site. It has the largest Bohemian crystal chandelier and was home to six sultans for about 68 years.
- Chora Church:
It is a little offbeat path for the tourists but its elegance and beauty attract the visitors to go out of the way to experience its beauty and Byzantine art. It was a monastery initially and then turned into a mosque after a few centuries. But from 1948 till today it is a museum.
So, just pack your bags and book your tickets for Istanbul today!
And believe or not these are just a few mesmerizing pearls of history that are a real treat for the eyes of visitors and tourists. Undoubtedly, there is a long list of destination places in Istanbul that are protecting the culture and history of this city and attracting people towards the most exciting city of Istanbul.
