Istanbul is the largest city of Turkey and second largest city Europe; it is also one of the largest cities in the world with a population of 13.4 million. Due to its oldest culture, tradition and historical monuments it was named as ‘European Capital of Culture’. Istanbul is second highest visiting place of Turkey; where more than fifteen percentage tourists are foreigners. It has sixty nine museums, seventeen palaces, 64 mosques and 49 churches which attracts around 2.5 million visitors every year. In this article I’ve explained the top 5 tourist attractions of Istanbul.
1. Blue Mosque
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| Photo: http://www.bluemosque.co/ |
The Sultan Mohammad Mosque is also famous in the name as ‘Blue Mosque’ due to its interior work-outs in blue tiles. Built in the year 1616, it is an Islamic religious place of prayer and meditation with a space for more than ten thousand people in it. The tourists are allowed here to look its beautiful architecture, except during the prayer times.
2. Topkapi Palace
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| Photo: http://topkapipalace.com/ |
The largest palace of Turkey was built in 14th century; where Ottoman sultans were used to stay there for more than four hundred years. Then during till it was declared as a museum in the year 1924, the palace was used for accommodation for ranked officers. The famous palace consists of various gardens, churches, pavilions, courtyards and many designed architecture of Ottoman sultans. It is one of the sites listed by UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
3. Kapalı Çarşı (Grand Bazaar)
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| Photo: Wikipedia |
It is the largest shopping area with a historical timeline and environment. Daily it attracts more than 2.5 million visitors to shop in its more than three thousand shops in 61 covered streets. The grand bazaar is opened everyday except Sundays and bank holidays from morning 9 am to evening 7 pm; where you can buy the famous items of gold and jewels, gold bracelets, furniture, carpets, leather goods and clothes.
4. Bosphorus Night Cruise
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| Photo: http://www.bosphorustour.com/ |
The best place to spend time in the evening while visiting to Istanbul. The beautiful lighting of boats, romantics serene of sea waves, returning of fishing boats and the great searchlights really makes a person out of imagination; which stops thinking about whole day’s tiredness.
5. İstanbul Archaeology Museums
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| Photo: http://www.istanbularkeoloji.gov.tr/main_page |
The Istanbul Archaeology Museums consists of three museums; the main building with Archaeological museum, museum of ancient orient, and museum of Islamic art. Established in the year 1892, it has a collection of more than one million objects. More than 2.5 million tourists visit here every year to see its ancient art, collections, paintings, sculptures and number of usable of Ottomans.
Other than this, there are many other places which are mostly seeable in Istanbul of Turkey. The Nevizade Street, which is famous for its wine and pubs; The Pera Museum; Church of St. George; the 6th century Hagia Sophia; Dolmabahce Palace are the major tourist destinations of Istanbul; which must not forget to see while in your trip to Istanbul.
Other than this, there are many other places which are mostly seeable in Istanbul of Turkey. The Nevizade Street, which is famous for its wine and pubs; The Pera Museum; Church of St. George; the 6th century Hagia Sophia; Dolmabahce Palace are the major tourist destinations of Istanbul; which must not forget to see while in your trip to Istanbul.
