This map shows the best known places as well as the lesser known places to visit in Istanbul. I included a bit of history about the various sites as well. Apart from that I also provided some practical information about ferries and airports et cetera. It's meant for first timers in Istanbul, but also for people who have been here before and would like to explore more then just the obvious tourist attractions.
0: Princes' Islands Ver detalle |
1: Topkap? Palace (Topkap? Saray?) Ver detalle |
2: Hagia Sophia Ver detalle |
3: The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed camii) Ver detalle |
4: The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Saray?) Ver detalle |
5: Milion Ver detalle |
6: Hippodrome Ver detalle |
7: Obelisk of Theodosius Ver detalle |
8: Serpentine Column Ver detalle |
9: Column of Constantine (Çemberlita?) Ver detalle |
10: Grand Bazaar (Kapal?çar??) Ver detalle |
11: Nur Osmaniye Mosque Ver detalle |
12: Beyazit Büfe Ver detalle |
13: The Old Book Market (Sahaflar Çar??s?) Ver detalle |
14: Istanbul University Ver detalle |
15: Beyazit Fire Tower (Beyaz?t Kulesi) Ver detalle |
16: Süleymaniye Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii) Ver detalle |
17: Golden Gate (Yald?zl?kap?) Ver detalle |
18: The Castle of 7 Towers (Yedikule Fortress) Ver detalle |
19: New Mosque (Yeni Camii) Ver detalle |
20: Spice Bazaar Ver detalle |
21: Fish! Ver detalle |
22: The Golden Horn (Alt?n Boynuz) Ver detalle |
23: Galata Bridge Ver detalle |
24: Old Galata Bridge Ver detalle |
25: Galata Tower Ver detalle |
26: Istanbul Modern Ver detalle |
27: Taksim Square Ver detalle |
28: Istiklal Ver detalle |
29: Taksim - Tünel tram Ver detalle |
30: Ara Cafe Ver detalle |
31: Park Ver detalle |
32: Ferries Kabata? Ver detalle |
33: Come here for a drink Ver detalle |
34: Dolmabahçe palace (Dolmabahçe Saray?) Ver detalle |
35: Y?ld?z Park Ver detalle |
36: Ortaköy Ver detalle |
37: Ortaköy Mosque (Büyük Mecidiye Camii) Ver detalle |
38: The House Cafe Ver detalle |
39: Rumelian Castle (Rumeli hisari) Ver detalle |
40: Bosphorus Bridge Ver detalle |
41: Bosphorus Ver detalle |
42: The Maiden's Tower (K?z Kulesi) Ver detalle |
43: Mihirimah Sultan Mosque Ver detalle |
44: Trend216 restaurant Ver detalle |
45: Atik Valide Mosque (Atik Valide Camii) Ver detalle |
46: Tiled Mosque (Çinili camii) Ver detalle |
47: The highest viewpoint (Büyük Çaml?ca) Ver detalle |
48: Çaml?ca Restaurant Ver detalle |
49: Haydarpasa Station (Haydarpa?a Gar?) Ver detalle |
50: Ferries at Kad?köy Ver detalle |
51: Be here at sundown! Ver detalle |
52: Atatürk Airport Ver detalle |
53: Metro Ver detalle |
54: Sabiha Gökçen Airport Ver detalle |
After being transformed from Three different churches (of which the first one had been built starting on the 15th of February in the year 360, during the reign of Constantius II and ordered by the Arian bishop Eudoxius of Antioch), a mosque and nowadays a museum, the Hagia Sophia has seen it all. The rise of Byzantium and it's fall, the rise of Constantinople and the fall of it up till the museum in Istanbul today.
It's world famous for its massive dome, that 'changed the history of architecture' and for about a 1000 years it was was the largest cathedral in the world and still one of the most impressive buildings ever built.
This cistern was built between 532 and 542 by the Byzantine emperor Justinian and served as a water reservoir for his palace (where Topkap? Palace stands today).
The site of the underground Basilica Cistern, also known as 'Yerebatan Saray?' which means ‘Sunken Palace’ is as impressive as it can get. Search for the two Medusa heads under the pillars (one is upside down) and it's mysterious history and the 'tear pillar.'
The Milion was a mile-marker monument built in the beginning of the 4th century AD in Constantinople. It was ‘point zero,' the absolute center point for measurement of the distances for all the roads leading to the cities of the Byzantine Empire. The domed building of the Milion rested on 4 large arches, that had many decoartions, such mosaics, fresco’s and paintings. It remained intact till 50 years after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. Partial fragments are still being found from time to time today under the houses in the area.
Also known as the ‘Burnt Column’ and constructed on the orders of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great in 330 AD. It show the place of the ;declaration of Byzantium; - renamed by Constantine the Great as Nova Roma (New Rome) as the new capital city of the Roman Empire. The name Nova Roma was not appreciated by the locals, who preferred the name Istanbul from the very beginning.
The Grand Bazaar or 'Kapal?çar??' - meaning covered bazaar - has been a very important trading center since 1461. It was built by the order of 'Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.' In the 16th century the bazaar was enlarged under the reign of 'Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent,' and in 1894 it had to be restored because it was largely destroyed by an earthquake.
Nowadays it is still used by locals, but it is also a huge tourist location. And as a tourist beware! Prices are way higher then in any of the other bazaars in the district, and not just a little. The Grand Bazaar is a must see, but it’s also a tourist trap.
This store can be found just outside of the Grand Bazaar and has the most amazing and rarest Ottoman and Turkish literature. Old maps, books, you name it! A must visit for every historian or history fanatic! A true gem in it's own way!
After Galata tower was no longer used to spot fires, the Beyazit Fire Tower, situated on the Istanbul Campus garden, was built in 1756. That tower - a wooden one - ironically burned down itself in the ‘Cibali fire.’ Another tower was built. This time from stone in 1828 after it was burned down by the ‘janissaries’ (assassin members of an elite corps in the standing army of the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century up to 1826) in 1826.
The Golden Gate (Yald?zl?kap?) was the main ceremonial entrance into the capital. It was used for the entries of emperors into the capital after military victories.
The Castle of Seven Towers (Yedikule Hisar?) is a fortification of the Walls of Constantinople. Partly still intact today. Today it’s a museum.
The ‘New Mosque’ was built in 1597 and only in Istanbul it’s normal to call a mosque this old ‘new.’ However, the mosque was finished in 1663. It’s situated in the Eminönü district of the city, close the Egyptian bazaar, also known as the Spise Bazaar.
The Egyptian or Spize bazaar is partly covered and partly outdoors. An interesting place to wander around in for a while. Don't be surprised to find some strange things being sold here!
The Golden Horn or 'Alt?n Boynuz' in Turkish is a historic inlet of the Bosphorus dividing the European side of the city of Istanbul into two parts.
Enemies in the past were not be able to enter the Golden Horn to reach the city. A big chain, supported by barrels from one side to the other was preventing ships to enter it.
The Galata tower was built in 1348 under the name 'The Tower of Christ. Over hundreds of years the tower has undergone many restorations in the past and under Ottoman rule it was used to spot fires in the city.
Inside the tower is a restaurant. You can walk outdoors around the tower on the top level for nice views over the city.
Where everything else is old, Istanbul Modern is not. It's a museum with the finest forms of modern art.
Ferries here go back and forth to the Princes' Islands and to Kad?köy on the Asian side of Istanbul
I don't know the name of this little open cafe, but here you can basically just find a dozen or so chairs and tables right next to the water offering great views (and if you're really lucky you can see some dolphins up ahead, so pay attention especially in summer) over the Bosphorus. A great place to relax a little with a cup of Turkish coffee or tea. If you found the not so inviting looking parking place for cars, you’re close so just keep walking towards the water.
Dolmabahçe Palace is located in the Be?ikta? district and served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1922, except for a 22-year gap between 1887 and 1909 in which Y?ld?z Palace was used.
The biggest park in Istanbul and it has a high historical value. It is situated between the palaces of Y?ld?z and Ciragan. It was part of the Y?ld?z Palace under the reign of Abdülhamid II and no one but direct locals from the palace were allowed to enter it. Nowadays however it's a great place to get away from the crowded streets for everyone who wants to visit it. It’s not a too far a walk from Ortakoy.
Great place for lunch with an amazing view over the Bosphorus straight. Might want to book ahead, though because it's a place loved by both locals and tourists. But if you can't get a spot, no worries. There are plenty of similar places around with amazing views as well. Perhaps just a bit less fancy.
The Rumelian Castle is a fortress in the Sar?yer district of the city. It is situated on a hill and has an great view over the Bosphorus. It was built by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II around 1450, before he started to conquer Constantinople. From Eminönü at the waterside you can get various Bosphorus boat tours that make a stop at the fortress.
On top of the highest hill in Istanbul (270 meters), you will have a better understanding of the name 'Metropol.' And it will be unlike one you have ever seen. As far as the eye can see there are houses and this place offers a 360 degree bird-eye view over the entire city while you are standing admitst green pastures topped with tall pinetrees. You can easily reach the summit via a ‘dolmus’ or a taxi and wander around and enjoy a picknick - just like the locals do - on one of the many terraces, green pastures and beautiful gardens.
Be here and wander around at sundown to take the nicest (though cliche, but who cares right!?) photographs towards the old city with all it's minarets while evening sets in. This is one of those moments that will make you realize how amazing this city truly is!